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Motivation Advice
AryaLeingold
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Here's the deal:
I dream big, a little too big sometimes. I set these longterm goals for myself but I have trouble meeting all the little 'now' goals because I'm so focused on the Finish Line.
example:
I've been working on a novel for almost 8 years now. I keep writing outlines and designing the book cover and reworking the final scene and ending, but I've done very little in the way of actually WRITING besides small sections and character bios.
That's where I need help. If any of you are good at meeting small deadlines, how do you do it? Whether it's losing a pound a week or writing/drawing a page a day, what keeps you motivated? I need something to kick my ass into gear and I'm out of ideas. Fact is, soon as I start thinking of ideas, I get excited about the final product and get distracted again.
I dream big, a little too big sometimes. I set these longterm goals for myself but I have trouble meeting all the little 'now' goals because I'm so focused on the Finish Line.
example:
I've been working on a novel for almost 8 years now. I keep writing outlines and designing the book cover and reworking the final scene and ending, but I've done very little in the way of actually WRITING besides small sections and character bios.
That's where I need help. If any of you are good at meeting small deadlines, how do you do it? Whether it's losing a pound a week or writing/drawing a page a day, what keeps you motivated? I need something to kick my ass into gear and I'm out of ideas. Fact is, soon as I start thinking of ideas, I get excited about the final product and get distracted again.
"A man thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things." ~ Herman Melville
AryaLeingold on
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Posts
From my own experience, when there's a big task to be done, it's always easy to see the start and end points, but as you have found out, it's the mid-stages that are the most difficult, especially when it seems that there are many of them. Personally, i tend to get intimidated by these, and so end up doing nothing.
A good way i found was to make a checklist, hardcopy mind you- not a virtual one, and physically tick off each goal that you set as you do it. Motivation-wise, it's a case of browbeating yourself into action, as each time you look at all the empty checkboxes, guilt can take over... Just remember to appropriately reward yourself as each goal is achieved!
Well, this strategy works for me anyway, but i suppose it may only work if you have a similar mentality.
Write out all (ALL)the small tasks required to finish your project. Finish the tasks. Concentrate on the tasks, DO NOT concentrate on the project. Step back and review the entire project (by reviewing all the tasks) every one in a while, and revise the tasks if needed.
If you finish the tasks, you've finished the project.
I have no problem churning out short stories and papers for class, but once I sit down to write the book I am lost again and end up playing games. Same goes for my degree. I go to class one day at a time but I get so overwhlemed by how many credits and years I have left that I get to that point of "why bother" and skip class that day.
Is it really a self discipline problem that I lose motivation or do I need a break from so much crap?
At the same time, try and make yourself write about 1000-1500 words a night. Soon you'll find, like everything else, that you miss the nights you aren't writing. And if motivation/inspiration strikes, write until you no longer want to. I've had nights where the words were coming out of me so fast it was all I could do to get them on paper - other nights, I have to force myself to do even 1000 words. Try and be cognizant of these things and don't overextend yourself.
Your making your tasks too big if you're getting overwhelmed.
Tasks shouldn't be big.
Something like "Make Doctor appointment" is TOO BIG.
What really goes into making a doctors appointment?
1. Get recommendation for Doctor from Sally
2. Look up number and address of clinic
3. Go to transit website and determine possible bus routes and time to get to clinic
4. Call and make appointment
5. Write appointment time in calendar, allowing for travel time
It's pretty hard to get overwhelmed when you're focussed on asking a friend for a recomendation.
try setting aside a block of time each day/night dedicated to writing. turn music/tv off and ignore the phone as much as possible (emergencies & job obligations aside, of course).
I love that idea!