Procrastination, distractions, a waning focus and lost motivation are common reasons for why your personal projects have been left untouched and unfinished. It’s tragic seeing the sparks of brilliant ideas dim out simply because we fail to get started, or more commonly, fail to keep going.

What’s stopping me from starting?

According to Web Worker Daily, the two main reasons for failure in personal projects are people being overwhelmed with too much to do, or being stuck with an unclear outcome. Matthew Cornell attributes it to a cluster of bad habits that capture the essence of procrastination. You can overcome inertia by clarifying the outcome, or taking small but sure steps when starting off (check out Whakate’s article on “overcoming procrastination.”)

What if I’m stuck?

So you’ve got the project started, but you quickly find yourself stuck in a mire. It could be a mental block, a budgetary concern, or a problem with time management. Whichever the case, Sparkplugging offers four tips on getting back on track: know the outcome, break the tasks down, keep a schedule of milestones, and check off a to-do list.

Another great tip from Web Worker Daily is to find a “boss” – in other words, a person you must answer to. While it may sound strange to look for a boss for a personal project, being accountable to someone other than you can be a strong motivator to keep going.

What if I lose motivation?

Even the stoutest resolve can wear out over time. The key, as Peter Bregman says, comes from understanding the formula of motivation, as mentioned in David McClelland’s book, “Human Motivation.” It claims that everyone is driven by three things: achievement (the desire to overcome challenges), affiliation (the desire to be liked), and power (the desire for influence). Examine your project in terms of these factors and you might find your reason for carrying on.

However, if what you need is an extreme boost of productivity, try the Rule of 24. Apart from sound tips on productivity, it lays down an ultimatum that could turbo-charge your productivity: giving your project a 24 hour deadline.

One last thing

Once you’re armed with that project plan and are thoroughly motivated to work on your personal project, don’t forget this quintessential rule from Pick the Brain: lighten up and have fun.

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