How do you get yourself motivated when working on a difficult work project?

Question

Do you have any tips or ideas on what to tell yourself if you need to work for long periods of time without much help by yourself Meaning I'm trying to be positive, what keeps you feeling positive?

The nature of my job doesn't allow me to get too distracted or lose concentration, if I do, its sequence gets lost as well as the objective and have to start over again, in the sense that I have to work with balances, figures, ratios, etc., it takes a lot to start something challenging, lots of thinking involved & many hours of work is tough. (I dread it)

It's even more difficult when you work for yourself.

certain aspects of it.
I love positive people!

Answer 1

For me, I break the project down into smaller pieces. Then I look at the pieces and figure out what's going to take the most time, what needs done first, what part will be the most fun, etc. I've found that breaking a big/difficult project into smaller pieces makes the whole thing just seem more manageable somehow.

First on the list: any of the "must-do's" - things I need before anything else can get done, or things that have a hard and fast deadline - I like to get the deadlines out of the way right away. Next on my list comes the things I really don't want to do - that way, it's over and done with, and it all gets better from there. From there, I just kindof keep going until I've gotten to the "most fun" thing on the list - I save that for last, almost like a reward for a job well done.

I've got a goal to work towards (doing the fun thing), I get the stupid details I don't want to deal with out of the way first, and if I get interrupted, I can go back, and check a bunch of things off my list (even if they're tiny baby steps).

Answer 2

I find that past experience with success makes the intervals of concentrated hard work self-justifying. I know that the outcome is worth it... been-there-done-that enough to understand the process.

On a very practical note, I arranged my administrative office (where I spend half of my time) with a desk and a drafting table; this allows me to change positions (standing, sitting, walking) while working through the day. Goes a long way toward eliminating the physical fatigue component of extended projects. I also adjust my work hours to include time when the suite is empty so that I can turn up the music. Secretarial call screening and a blue tooth headset for the calls that do pass through increases efficiency and shortens the overall time needed to complete a task. Perhaps the biggest key is recognizing what pieces of a project can be handed to an assistant with expectation that the finished "piece" will return on schedule for completion of the overall project.

If you can't tell... I really enjoy my work and pride myself on being productive.

Aloha

Answer 3

As a procrastinator of 20 years, I've learned the hard way that procrastination is the silent killer. I'm still paying for what I've done in the past, but I do the following so that I'll have a brighter future:

** You've gotta know
1. Who you are
2. What your mission is
3. How to describe all about your mission in detail.

In other words, CLARITY = POWER. Get clear, and you'll get confidence.

** Take goal setting SERIOUSLY. The average person thinks that goal setting is cheezy and lame. Well, the average person is overweight, watches 8 hours of television, and can't find Italy on a map.

I recommend a serious goal management program like "goalpro"
http://www.goalpro.com/

** "Don't stare at the steps, step the stairs!"

** "The wise do at once what the fool does later" - Maxim #268 from Balthasar Gracian's "Art of Worldly Wisdom"

http://www.davidbrandt.com/wisdom/index.php?number=268

(I keep a copy of that book on my desk)

** Don Ruiz rule #4: "Do your best"
("The four agreements, by Don Ruiz)
http://tinyurl.com/aqsuq

** Moving forward is always *LESS* painful than staying put - Dr. Susan Jeffers, author of "Feel the fear and do it anyway"


** Never wait for the right moment to do something, because it never comes. The right moment is ALWAYS N-O-W.

** The more you do something, the more familiar you are with it. Being familiar with something gives your clarity, and like I said before CLARITY = POWER

...and last, but not least...ANYONE CAN START SOMETHING, BUT IT TAKES A LEADER TO FINISH IT. - Except from Toastmaster magazine, June 2006 editorial.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I work at home for myself also. It is very difficult sometimes to just get going but that is not the worst of it. I know in the back of my mind that once I start I will have to stay with the project until it is completed. No breaks or I will lose my train of thought and as a writer that spells disaster. What I do to keep a positive track is plan a great reward for the end of the days project. No wimpy rewards. Something you really want . Sometimes I have a massage in the evening. Other times I will invite my safe sex buddy over for an evening of unabashed wild abandon. Believe me you get the job done with rewards like this waiting for you.

Answer 5

I usually read a book or something. But there are many that don't like to read so here is another way. I take a step back and a deep breath. Then I close my eyes and think about the problem that lies ahead. The problem may seem impossible and you might think that you can never accomplish your goal, but that is never truly the case. When you see the problem and your goal, compare it to another task you have done; another task that may have seemed impossible, yet despite the odds you succeeded. This will make your task look considerably easier. And if you cannot think of a task that you have done that was more difficult than the one you are about to do, then imagine a task you know others have done and succeeded in doing. And never...Never ever think of yourself as a failure if you cannot complete that task. Nor should you think of yourself as less than anyone else, if you cannot complete a task ask for help. With more minds trying to solve the problem you can always figure it out.

Answer 6

First, you have to love your work! If you dont love it, everything will turn out as if it is eternity! However, if you love your work, you wont notice that time reallly flies fast.
Sometimes people who envy you and criticize you can help you one way or the other. Why? Because you want to show your best foot forward! It is a challenge! Dont take it on the negative side, however, it is not that easy.
It is important that you are eager to learn & make each day a learning experience. Each hard work or trials in life are there to make us a stronger person. One day, looking back , you will be proud that you made it despite the hardships.
Always thank the Lord & ask for His guidance. You might not notice it, but everyday , we receive little blessings from Him. Sometimes, we see too much of the negative side. Why not reverse it & see that we are more fortunate than other people.
If you know of the poem, DONT Quit, it really helps! When things are pressing you down a bit, sigh, but dont you quit! When the funds are low & the debts are High, rest if you must but dont you quit!
Get positive verses and display it in your work place. I always have them around.
Life is too short, make the most out of it!!

Answer 7

Picture the project as it will be
when it is finished.

Since I don't have a clue as to
if it is a carpenter project or
a case in a courtroom, I don't
know how to specifically help
the project plan.

If it is appropriate, take a paper
and number it from 1 to whatever.
Write the first step, second step, etc.
Make an outline of what it is you
are going to do, and how you will
do it.

Possibly even a completion time or date.

Write down the supplies, etc that
you are going to need, plans to
get them, etc.

If you need to finish up, catch up
or do other things ahead, get
those out of the way.

Now focus on only the project.
Get excited over it. Picture it finished!

Promise yourself a treat when
you are finished. Good luck!
You can DO it!
You ARE a genius...show 'em all!!!

Answer 8

I am a big project person, and this is my favorite reminder on big projects.

How do you eat an Elephant, ONE bite at a time?

Determine a logical way to break up your project. Whether it be in time segments or natural sections of the project. Require yourself to complete a segment before you give yourself a break or a day off. Depending on the size of the project.

If you work at home, schedule yourself, as you would in an office. Two hours, coffee break, two hours, lunch break, two hours, afternoon break and two hours quiting time. This is just an example. If you work around childrens schedules, you must work like crazy when they are gone.

I have worked as a Merchandiser for National companies for 25 years, while raising 2 children and being a homemaker. Being a self starter is REQUIRED, you must not allow yourself to be sidetracked. No TV, be strict with yourself, you can do it.

Answer 9

The best way to tackle a large job is to do it in little pieces, and as you approach the end, you will be more motivated and the job will be easier and possibly even fun to finish. But if I am reading what you are saying right, you have to do the job without stopping. I have had similar situations and the only way is to say to yourself I am going to start this job now, and once you get yourself lost in it, you will find the job easier than you thought it was. When the going gets tough , the tough get going.JUST GRAB THE BULL BY THE HORNS AND DO IT !!!

Answer 10

Yes, I know, it is very difficult. The same happened to me, but even worse (nasty relationship problems). In the end I lost my job through illness during probation period! I was working on big data migration projects, legacy -> NT and obviously, I had just changed from one good company to another. My concentration went, nearly had a nervous breakdown..a nightmare!
But, when I look back I think I should have just kept my goal in view, then I think no matter how bad the problems that you face are, if you.keep at it, you will get there and when you have , you will have your dopamine rush..your reward for gettihg there! That will motivate you plus, who wants to be a failure???

Hi Hi, I am on my way back up now! good luck!