The Whimsical Guide to Work That Doesn’t Feel Like Work

(Featuring Richard Bach, Ease, and Quiet Enjoyment)

Inspired by the quote: “The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.” - Richard Bach

There’s a certain kind of effort that drains you. And then there’s the kind that quietly energizes you.

Richard Bach reminds us that when something truly matters - when it’s aligned - it stops feeling like work and starts feeling like movement.

Here’s how to tell the difference.

Step 1: Notice What You Lean Toward Naturally

Work you enjoy has a tell.

You:

• think about it without forcing yourself

• return to it even when tired

• feel calmer after doing it

That’s not laziness. That’s alignment.

If you have to constantly bribe yourself to start, it’s probably not the work — it’s the mismatch.

Step 2: Rename the Thing You’re Avoiding

Sometimes “work” feels heavy because it’s mislabeled.

Try swapping:

• “I have to” → “I get to shape this”

• “This is work” → “This is progress”

• “I should” → “I’m choosing”

Language matters. Especially for sensitive minds.

When the name softens, resistance often follows.

Step 3: Do More of What Pulls You Forward

You don’t need to eliminate all hard things.

You simply need to center the work that feels meaningful.

The more your days contain tasks you want to complete, the less energy is wasted convincing yourself to begin.

That’s when momentum feels natural - not forced.

In Closing

When something stops feeling like work, it’s usually because it’s finally aligned with who you are.

That’s not an accident. That’s information.