Surpassing Obstacles
Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean the right answer is to give up on it. I often have to remind myself of this. It’s sound advice, but it’s easier said than done. What are some ways to surpass these obstacles? Things I’ve tried include:
Timeboxing every high-priority activity.
Giving yourself strict boundaries can help with focus. I make sure any possible distractions, such as my phone, aren’t easily within reach. Sometimes I leave my phone in a different room, come back into my workspace, and shut the door.
Asking for help.
Although this challenge can be difficult to overcome, I find it worthwhile. One of the best ways to learn is from somebody who’s done it before. They can offer advice and share how they’ve tackled similar issues.
Set smaller goals.
Break down goals into smaller tasks or milestones. Keep your attention on the one that needs immediate attention.
Pitfalls to watch for
How can you tell you’re in danger of giving up? The signs that your motivation is lagging may vary. My biggest red flag is that I’m just not doing the work. If I’m taking every excuse to procrastinate, I try to take a step back and ask myself why. It often takes me several rounds of asking why before I reach an answer that could be the root cause for my ambivalence.
What might be causing the problem?
I’ve found that there are usually several factors influencing my lack of progress. Understanding what could be holding you back is the first step towards moving through it. Here are some questions I consider when I’m feeling stuck.
Environmental factors
- Do the people around me support my endeavors?
- How is my physical location affecting my work ethic?
- Is money influencing my decisions?
Internal influences
- What am I afraid of (for example, failure or success)?
- Am I having trouble prioritizing?
- How deep is my motivation?
What do you try when you are stuck?
Take a walk
Taking a break can do wonders. Fresh air and physical activity aren’t the only benefits of taking a walk. You also have an opportunity to find a new perspective that can help you move through whatever’s holding you back.
Find your community
People need people. Whether you’re looking for a community of people who do the same thing or an audience for your work, it all comes down to who you know. There’s an overwhelming number of ways to form relationships both in-person and virtually.
It’s often scary to take the risk of reaching out to a new group, but it can be worth it. I find that the efforts made to get to know others rarely disappoint.
Gamify your efforts
Sometimes it’s necessary to add some fun to find the motivation to follow through on a project. I sometimes compete with myself when I find myself bored by repetitive tasks. You can create a scoreboard to compare the times in which you meet particular milestones.
I’ve also tried turning tasks into what-if scenarios, playing out each scene as I go. For any project I have, I aim to incorporate creative pieces. Sometimes I mix in photography, and other times I incorporate creative writing (preferably both).
Set a timer
Sometimes deadlines can be a great motivator. Set a small achievable goal to accomplish within half an hour. Don’t forget to recognize each accomplishment!
Celebrate small victories
Celebrating wins can inspire greater motivation to continue. When I reach particular milestones, I often take a break to do something I enjoy.
What if you’re still ambivalent?
Not every project is right for you, and there is a time to stop throwing yourself into something that’s not worth it. Just give it a fair chance first, and be kind to yourself for whatever decision you make.
If you are feeling stuck, ask a question in the comments! I’ll research the topic and write about it.
