Uncover the motivation in every chore
Transform mundane tasks into moments of delight
Unlock the secret to enjoying every gardening task by pairing it with your favorite entertainment. Experience the magic of temptation bundling and make every chore a cherished moment.
Turn chores into your favoritetime of day
Let’s be real, ya, sometimes garden work and house chores just feel like a chore n’ a pain in the b… But in today’s third post, I’m sharin’ a little trick to find that motivation that can turn even the most boring chores into moments of pure joy and quiet inspiration – like findin’ a cool patch of shade on a hot day, right when you needed it most.
I’m not sure what to call this habit, but let me explain. Imagine you’ve just stumbled on a brand new gardening podcast. Something cozy down to earth, and full of real homestead stories. It’s so good you can’t stop listening, and you find yourself hittin’ play every chance you get.
Turn weeding into your favorite moment
We all know how it goes, some tasks in the garden and around the house always end up at the bottom of the list. That stubborn weed patch that just won’t quit. The mountain of dishes after Swedish midsummer. Or mucking out the chicken coop while the rain pours down. But there’s a trick that’s simpler than you’d ever think: temptation bundling, a genius idea from James Clear in Atomic Habits. The principle is dead simple for you to find your motivation: decide you’ll only get to enjoy your favorite podcast or audiobook while you’re doing the chores you usually put off.
Turn every chore into a moment of motivation - how it works in real life
By pairing something you want to do with something you need to do, you create a positive association that tricks your brain into actually looking forward to the task. Suddenly, weeding becomes your chance to catch the next episode of that favorite podcast, and the dishes turn into your window to that gripping audiobook from Nextory.
Picture yourself thinking things like…
“Oh, perfect – time to clear the flower bed again, so I finally get to keep listening to the podcast.”
“Time to muck out the chicken coop… which I’ve actually been lookin’ forward to, ‘cause now I get to hear how it all turns out for those characters in that audiobook from Nextory.”
“I just wanted to fix the saw for five minutes… but now that I’m already listenin’, I might as well tackle the rest of the toolbox.”
What I love most is how these boring chores suddenly become moments you look forward to. Okay, I’ll admit it. Music makes me just as happy, and most days all I need is that good, thumpin’ hardstyle and gabber beat to just keep on goin’.
When you’re done, give yourself a little smile in the mirror and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Why not treat yourself to that favorite cup of tea and a five minute break? Did it work? Next time, make the bundle a little longer. Does it feel slow? Instead of fighting your motivation, switch the reward or the chore. Your brain picks this up fast – within a week, you’ll have this down to a science.
Find your own motivation booster
The key is to reserve your chosen entertainment. Whether it’s a podcast, an audiobook, or a radio show about gardening, keep it exclusive to these moments. That’s when the connection gets strongest, and I promise you’ll be mighty surprised. Not just by how much more you get done, but by how these moments turn into the best part of your day. Those little pauses where your mind can bloom while your hands are busy.
So dear gardener friend, it’s time to plant your own motivation seed today
Choose a chore, choose your reward and get goin’. Every little moment of joy in your work is a seed that grows, both in your garden and in your life. And while you’re at it, why not share that chore in the comments below? Who knows, maybe over time we’ll build a whole seed bank of tiny tips that inspire fellow homesteaders.
Good luck with your growin’ on every level. Tomorrow we’ll wrap up the series with the most powerful habit of all. The two minute rule, with my own personal twist that’ll help even your biggest homestead dreams take root in no time – inspired by Atomic Habits. Something I can promise you won’t want to miss.
P.S. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. It helps me keep sharing inspiration and knowledge about gardening with nature as my guide. And while you’re out there in the greenhouse, why not try these waterproof JBL speakers? They sit just right and don’t go tumblin’ out when you’re workin’ hard on the farm.