What's your secret for staying motivated and not feeling discouraged?

Cansu Aydede
61 replies
Thinking about what's missing and what you can work on is so important but it can't be everything you are doing.

Replies

Fil Zembowicz
My big thing is trying to ensure I match my energy level to what I'm trying to do. When I'm exhausted, it's discouraging to try and make progress on something big and complicated. So go knock out a bunch of small tasks, which is more achievable. That little motivation from finishing the small tasks can then itself give you the energy you need for the big tasks. Or, when that fails, Red Bull :)
Cansu Aydede
@fzembow Red Bull gives you wings :)
Leitha Matz
I like the afore-mentioned progress reviews (it's easy to forget or discount the progress you've made!) and would add that using a few minutes for listing what's going well/what you're grateful for can help shift your mental mode.
Cansu Aydede
@missginsu any tips on how to do that?
Leitha Matz
@cansu_aydede I use a notebook for recording what's happening at work and a journal to reflect on my life. But I'm sure there are online tools for the same.
Sharath Kuruganty
Undefeated Underdogs Podcast
Undefeated Underdogs Podcast
That is a great question. For me, it's about acknowledging micro wins while keeping macro goals in my mind. Small wins are underrated and they help a lot to move the needle daily!
Cansu Aydede
@5harath so true! trying to keep that in mind on a big day like this :)
Usually working on different things to keep me entertained!
Results (even small ones)
Cansu Aydede
@oksana_ch so true! how do you keep track of which results matter to you?
Küçuk Mimar Bey
@cansu_aydede it depends on your day/project/mood etc. if your are in a bad mood, every single result matters. the atomic results matter, in a "normal" time you would gather them together, and say I did 1thing because you do GTD ( Getting Things Done ). But in a bad Mood, every little step counts !
David J. Kim
It's not a race, it's a marathon. Learn to find a flow that's good for your long term.
Brennen Barney 🚀 ClickStack.io
Good habits so I can still be somewhat productive even without much motivation
Kartal Erkoc
Regular breaks (sticking to them even on the busiest day) with some of the things I enjoy doing that are nothing related to work: pastel de nata and coffee at a nearby shop with a colleague, going to a park for half an hour workout, researching for my side hustle with farming, reading a book for 10 mins, looking up to product/tech updates
Tvisha raji
Keep track of your progress constantly and always be surrounded with like minded people
Fares
This is an excellent question! to stay motivated, I'm forcing myself, I try to use self-persuasion to think only of the positive, etc. But it is very difficult and not 100% reliable. The most complicated thing is to ignore the discouraging factors, whether they are personal, professional, relational or situational. I am curious to read the answers of others. Thank you for bringing this topic to the table
Cansu Aydede
@fares_aktouf Appreciate your take. Being able to stay positive is definitely a big part of the solution!
Marko Rakic
LeadDelta professional relationships CRM
Talk to people. It happened that lot of people in my team shared my feelings, and it helped all of us understand our emotions and each other better
Lirian Ostrovica
They are two different things, I think. Motivation should be a given, I don't see how I can lose it, unless major things happen. Discouraged - that will happen all the time, typically when you're approaching a corner, and can't see much ahead. If it keeps on for long, try to pivot, try to find new ways, just like the water does, downstream 😊
Cansu Aydede
@lirian I think you are right!
Georgy Nemtsov
I try to focus on small goals. Making progress on a regular basis adds up to something great. That's my remedy.
Cansu Aydede
@georgy_nemtsov Do you write them down somewhere?
Georgy Nemtsov
@cansu_aydede Yes, I track them in task management app or sometimes it's just a sheet of paper on my refrigerator. My previous goal was to set up Paddle for my SaaS. My current goal is 5 paying customers and it's just a sheet of paper.
Divya
My secret is to always look back at how I was and where am I now. Also, remembering my family helps too.
Gizem Nur Keskin
I always think of my goals!
Cansu Aydede
@gizemnurkeskin You are absolutely right - it's all about remembering the big picture and what you are trying to achieve.
Software Guy (Aarvy)
I think the secret is that discouragement visits us quite frequently, we can only stand up if there is any urgency in our lives.
Bren Kinfa 💎 SaaS Gems
Having some sort of "vision" you're working towards is useful to me, personally.
Dharasis Behera
The thought of very difficult times that came in my life and how i overcame it with all my fortitude and perseverance. Only this is enough to reinvigorate myself.
Küçuk Mimar Bey
Motivation goes and comes, it depends on your mood the progress you do in any field and the results. I wise man told me once, motivation is not the real shit, it's consistents. That means regardless of motivating yourself, is it possible that you wake up early, do the hard work, do your health routines. and focusing yourself on a goal ? Because if you can than its not important what your goal is, which project you are working or who you are working with.
Cansu Aydede
@kucuk_mimar_bey yes, you are right, its all about consistency!
Abid Unnisa
Always remember the "WHY". Why you started in the first place is what inspires most of us.