A Mind to Work

A phrase from a book I read recently was, “had a mind to work.”
That has stuck with me as I see it makes all the difference for me.  When I come at stuff vaguely it often does not happen.  On the other hand, when I think about a task and write steps for its completion and set a side a time to do it, I am much more likely to actually do it.  For me there is a huge difference between wishing for something and making it happen.
These days I am trying to learn not to overextend myself.  I mean it is so true that often the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. About 2 months ago I did some work which for me would have been par for the course once.  Yet I found myself huffing and puffing and on the point of collapse.
I learned a huge lesson from that one.  I need to set realistic expectations and what was true once for me is not right now.  My capacity has diminished but my capacity is not non-existent.  On that basis I need to have a mind to work within the new confines - whether I like it or not.
I heard recently of someone who whinged when asked to do a simple task.  The task was not unreasonable and within the expectations of the position.  I can only think there was not a mind to work.  I cannot talk as I know there are times I look for an excuse rather than do something that needs to be done (I admit it was never at work though when the request was from a boss)
But having said that I often need time to plan.  I was in the habit of always asking for an expected completion date. So often it seems to me no expected completion is given and as a result something drags on.
The key for me is having a mind to do something.  That makes all the difference for me in getting something not only done, but done well.