How to Get and Stay Motivated When Taking On Large Projects

The bigger the project, the bigger the challenge? Not necessarily.

Feeling motivated can be a challenge.

There’s nothing worse than having big plans for a big project and then not being able to get things off the ground.

The good news is that motivation can be hacked with three effortless approaches to large projects.

As personal examples to demonstrate simple motivation hacks, I’ll talk about how I’ve applied them to two large projects I’m involved in right now. One is a 500+ page film directory layout as a freelance assignment. The other is a major spring cleaning overhaul to reclaim more living space in my home.

Start Simple and Small

I know productivity gurus always talk about tackling the largest, more unpleasant tasks first to get them out of the way, but we’re talking about motivation here.

If doing big, ugly projects first wasn’t a concern, you wouldn’t be reading this.

For my film directory layout job, I begin not by diving right into the text and layout portion of the project. Instead, I start with having a cup of coffee and separating out the “A” portion of the directory. That’s all I intend to work on first. I’ll get to “B” once “A” is finished.

Starting small and simple.

For my major spring cleaning project, I’m beginning with the spare room because once I empty that, I have a place to temporarily store things as I move on to other portions of the house.

But that spare room is packed with things that need to be gone through and purged. It’s a bit daunting to look at.

So to start, I make a cup of coffee and make sure I have enough contractor bags and boxes to separate the things I’m keeping with the things I’m throwing away or donating. I also have the magic markers I need to label boxes.

Then I put on some music and get to work.

I don’t start by diving right into the room.

In both cases — the layout job and the room purge — performing small tasks prepares me for the more enormous task.

The most important thing about getting any project done is getting started. You don’t have to start big. You’re better off starting small, then going big.

Tracking Your Progress

The trick here is to remind yourself as you’re working that every bit you accomplish gets you another step toward the finish line.

For instance, with my layout job, once I finish the “A” section, I remind myself I’m that much closer to the end of the project. Then it’s time to do the “B” section. I become that much closer to finishing the job.

With my housecleaning project, I count every bag or box that leaves the house.

With every bag or box, I tell myself that it is just more stuff that is not taking up space in my home.

With every corner of a finished room, I am closer to completing my spring cleaning goals.

If you’re having trouble with this, keep a record of your progress. My work journal has a long list of the various steps involved in my book layout project. I’ve listed every section of the book that needs to be done. As I complete each one, I cross it off the list.

I do the same with my housecleaning project. I break down each room by task and then check them off as they’re completed.

I get a great sense of satisfaction seeing my progress on paper.

That helps my motivation a lot.

Sticking To a Routine

I have a set time each day I’ve blocked off specifically for working on the housecleaning. Every morning between 5:30 and 7, I’m cleaning or organizing. Every afternoon, I spend four hours working on my film directory project, then I do another four hours late at night.

In both cases, I start by making myself a cup of coffee. Then I warm up with a simple, small task. When that is finished, I tackle one particular portion of the project — cleaning or layout — that will bring me closer to my goal.

I do this every weekday. On weekends, I have to switch things up a bit to accommodate family obligations, but my weekend routines are set even then.

Having those routines that help make getting started possible. And they help keep me going.

Practice, Practice, Done!

If you can train yourself to follow these simple approaches to following through on big projects, you’re going to find success a lot easier.

It may not happen overnight. It may take a little time to establish these as habits.

That’s okay.

Whether you’re working on a large creative project like a book or mural or album, or if you’re doing something more mundane like painting your house, refurbishing a classic car, or cleaning out the garage — getting motivated is easier than you think.

Keep at it. Take a long view.

Ironically, you’ll find yourself finished before you know it.

The only thing left to do will be to bask in the sense of accomplishment.

Thank you for reading. I’d love to share more with you via my Bi-Weekly Word Roundup newsletter sent to subscribers every other Sunday. It will feature news, productivity tips, life hacks, and links to top stories making the rounds on the Internet. You can unsubscribe at any time.