How to Succeed When You Hate Doing Something at Work (But Need to Master It Anyway)

Fake It Till You Make It: Hacking Your Subconscious for Career Growth

The Harsh Reality: What If You Hate What’s Holding You Back?

Let’s be real—there’s always that one thing at work that you absolutely dread doing. Maybe it’s public speaking. Maybe it’s networking. Or, if you work at Amazon, chances are high that it’s writing documents. (Yep, I see you.)

But here’s the truth bomb (switching it up: reality check!):

Success often hinges on mastering the very thing you resist the most.

The problem? Your brain screams, “Nope, I don’t wanna do this!”—and that’s enough to stop you in your tracks. But what if you could rewire your brain to actually enjoy the journey? What if you could trick your subconscious into wanting to do it?

That’s what we’re diving into today—how to hack your subconscious mind to like what you hate, so you can master it, get noticed, and get ahead.

Why We Hate Doing Certain Things at Work

First, let’s break down why our brains rebel against certain tasks:

• Lack of instant gratification: Our brains are wired for quick rewards. Writing a document? No dopamine rush.
• Fear of failure: Writing a doc that gets ripped apart in a review? Ouch.
• Perceived complexity: Some tasks just feel hard (even if they aren’t).
• Identity conflict: “I’m a builder, not a writer!” Sound familiar?

Now that we know why we resist, let’s talk about how to program your brain to stop fighting back.

Step 1: Act As If It’s Already True (Yes, Fake It Till You Make It Works)

Your subconscious doesn’t know the difference between reality and imagination. That means you can trick it into believing you actually love writing docs (or whatever your ‘thing’ is). How?

• Start saying, “I love writing docs”—out loud. (Yeah, it feels weird. Do it anyway.)
• Write as if you’re already good at it. Confidence shifts your energy.
• Visualize yourself crushing it. Your brain starts accepting it as reality.
• Celebrate small wins. Each tiny success reinforces the new belief.

Sounds too simple? That’s the beauty of it—your brain is predictably hackable.

Step 2: Use NLP & Hypnosis to Rewire Your Mindset

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnosis aren’t just for stage magicians—they’re powerful tools to reprogram how you think about work.

NLP Hacks for Mastery:

1. Reframe your thoughts: Instead of “I suck at writing,” say “I’m learning to structure my ideas better.”
2. Use anchoring: Associate writing with something enjoyable—play your favorite music while doing it.
3. Break it down: Instead of “I need to write a doc,” tell your brain: “I’m just outlining three bullet points.” Less resistance, more action.

Hypnosis? Really?

Yes. Even a simple 5-minute self-hypnosis can shift your mindset. Try this:

• Close your eyes.
• Breathe deeply and slowly.
• Imagine yourself confidently presenting a well-written doc.
• Feel the sense of accomplishment.
• Repeat before each writing session.

Your subconscious will start buying into this new reality.

Step 3: Make It a Game (Gamification FTW)

You ever notice how people get addicted to video games but not to writing docs? Because games offer:

• Immediate feedback (points, levels, rewards)
• A clear goal (win the level, beat the boss)
• A sense of progress (XP, rankings)

So, gamify the thing you hate:

• Set a timer and “race” yourself to complete sections.
• Create a point system (X points per section, Y points per approval).
• Compete with a colleague to see who gets fewer comments in doc reviews.

Suddenly, writing doesn’t feel so soul-crushing.

Step 4: Attach It to a Bigger Goal (Find Your Why)

You don’t have to love writing docs—but you should love what it gets you:

• Approval from leadership (visibility = career growth)
• More influence (people listen when you communicate well)
• Faster promotions (strong communicators move up)

When you focus on the reward, your brain starts linking the task with something desirable.

Step 5: Hack Your Environment

Make it impossible to avoid what you need to master:

• Accountability: Tell your team, “I’ll send a first draft by EOD.” Boom—pressure.
• Pre-commitment: Schedule doc-writing blocks on your calendar.
• Optimize your workspace: No distractions, just focus.

When the default is doing the task, resistance fades.

Final Thoughts: Reprogram Your Brain, Reprogram Your Career

Your subconscious runs the show—so why not make it work for you instead of against you?

• Act as if it’s already true (yes, fake it till you make it).
• Use NLP & hypnosis to shift your mindset.
• Gamify the process to make it fun.
• Tie it to a bigger goal so it feels meaningful.
• Hack your environment so success becomes inevitable.

And here’s my challenge to you: What’s the one thing at work that’s holding you back?

Drop it in the comments, and let’s talk strategies. ??

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this post are solely my own and do not reflect the views of my current or previous employers.

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