Tell me if this sounds familiar: you wake up, get dressed, find your way to work, go through a day, get home tired, and then don’t have the energy to do any of the creative, fun, or challenging projects you hope to someday complete.
You’re not alone in this. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t felt that way at some point. There are times in all of our lives when doing any kind of side project – even one that we’ve looked forward to – is going to be completely unsustainable. If there’s one thing that 2020 has shown is that there are more important things in life than whether you plant that garden, learn that instrument or build that website.
Once a routine sets in though, there comes a time when you want to work towards one of those life goals of yours. There’s 101 of them after all, there should be at least one of them you can work on now, right? I want you to think about one of those 101 things that could be worked on today that you’re struggling to make progress on.
So how do you get the energy to work on it when you’re already drained from work and can’t work up the motivation to get started?
I wish there was a silver bullet for this, but I’m sorry to tell you there’s not. I’ve tried a number of things to get me out of this slump – building up habits, journaling, taking a break. What works for you may be completely different.
One thing is the same though: it’s time to change your mindset.
Let me ask you this: do you ever find yourself saying “I’ll work on this when…”?
This is called bargaining – making a deal with yourself to take a break now and work on it at some later date. The trouble is when we use this technique everyday, rather than just when we need it.
Getting out of this mindset and into a habit of action has a name: grit. You need to grit to pull yourself out of a slump and work through the hard parts of a project!
Do you consider yourself someone who has a lot of grit? People who do tend to be able to shift their mindset and do the work – spending those extra minutes learning that new language, planning out a new recipe to cook or doing a workout that’s unpleasant in the moment, but you feel amazing afterwards.
Are there areas of your life where you consider yourself to have a lot of grit? What is it about those areas that spurs you to action? Are there systems in place that encourage action? Is it purely because of the time put in? Or does it have to do with how focused you are during that time? Are there any takeaways that would help you move forward?
When I looked into why I burnt out at work, one thing stood out: accountability. For tasks at my job I had someone holding me accountable for their completion. My own professional reputation was also on the line.
I looked around for ways to bring in some sense of accountability to my own projects and goals. I tried sharing them with my wife, posting on Facebook and journaling. It wasn’t until I hit on blogging that everything stuck. For me personally, there’s something about putting a promise out into the world that means I have to do my best to make it happen.
For you it may not be accountability. It may be organization, creating an irresistible staircase, working with others so you’re not alone, or something else. What’s important is that you find that missing piece and run with it!
Early Retirement Isn’t the Answer
If you’re thinking “I’ll work on this when I’m retired” I have some bad news for you: it’s unlikely.
After you stop working that sentiment can quickly shift to “I don’t really want to work on that.”
Then you’re back at square one.
The other extreme is that you put off something until you’re retired, try it and realize it’s not for you.
Every year, thousands of backpackers make their way to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia. They’re dreamed of this day for years and now it’s time to finally hike the Appalachian Trail! It’s a bucket list item that can’t be done without about 6 months off work.
What percent of people that start do you think complete the trail? Turns out it’s around 25%. 25% of people who intend to hike the entire trail actually complete it.
Why do you think this number is so low? Well, for one a 6-month long hike through the woods is actually crazy. Do most people stop due an injury? Is it cost? Feeling homesick? Weather?
All of these are possibilities. In almost all cases the way to avoid these is the same: preparation. If a 6-month long hike is your first overnight camping trip, you’re gonna have a bad time.
Start with a weekend overnight trip – something you can do while you’re still working. If you enjoy that, try a multi-night trip. If you enjoy that, use some vacation time at work for a week-long adventure.
Start slow, and learn if you enjoy your dreams.
The same can be said about many goals on my 101 list, and yours too! There are likely goals you have on there that you can’t accomplish today. Maybe they’d take up too much time outside of work, or you have other responsibilities at the moment that prevent immediate action.
Instead of trying to tackle something entirely at once, try to make a plan to get there. It may take years to get there.
The next part is the most important: find a way to enjoy the journey.
You may not enjoy your first 10 piano lessons, or the first 3 months of writing code. That’s parts of being a beginner at anything. At some point though, you need to find a way to enjoy the practice. For the Appalachian trail example, that meant enjoying a shorter version of the hike. For an instrument that may be finding music, you love to play. For learning a language it might be planning a future trip to the country.
Side note: One of my 101 goals is to go skydiving. That’s one my wife says I can’t do until I’m much older or on my way out. ?
Don’t let a promise of extra time in the future delay action today. If you’re struggling to get started now, you’ll struggle later. Strive for balance in your life now that includes some progress on your goals – however small. You’ll feel better for it!