Ask Yourself This:
What is your Passion, and How can you Put this into Action?
Once you figure this out you may now ponder...
How do I Stay Focused?
You may have seen these 3 questions before that can drill down your daily actions:
1. What am I trying to accomplish?
2. Am I wasting time or energy right now?
3. Would something else be a better use of my time or energy?
The What If's...
What if...I feel inadequate?
Practice makes better. Whatever you're working at get up and DO something, you will not learn anything complex or become an expert if you don't start somewhere and DO DO DO.
What if...I don't have enough time today?
First think clearly on this one. Do you really not have any time to work toward your long-term goals today? Perhaps you have to attend a funeral and you're very forlorn and don't feel like work is the right thing to think about for the day in your mourning process. Maybe this is exactly what you need; a day's break, or maybe you need a getaway from this painful situation and you take a break somewhere in the day and jot down some notes of goals, actions, hypothesis' or simply what you're going to do tomorrow. Right now I felt like my mind needed a break or getaway but instead, after a little thinking, I decided that writing felt like the right thing to do and I feel the motivation flowing through.
What if...I want to give up?
This is a big question for yourself. Only you can decide if it's worth it what you're currently engaged in. Re-read the 1st question at the top of this post. Now imagine yourself 5 years from now or 10 years from now. Are you happy or regretful that you stopped with this project at this moment? This should tell you when to give up and when to persevere.
To the Naysayers
The Vision is Yours
When you're working on a large project, something perhaps years in the making, most people could not begin to comprehend what's inside YOUR mind. Afterall, it's yours. They may doubt you and throw reluctance into your heart or mind. But, remember, this is for YOU and those who can benefit from the project upon completion. No one part of something looks anything like the whole, and definitely not of something under construction what it will look like in the future.
Invite Them In
How best to show to them you're really passionate and dedicated to these goals and the real possibility than to bring them to your inner circle. They may just provide a great balance of certain problems you did not foresee. Problems they think are deal-breakers causing them to be so doubtful that your means will get you to the end. Show them the means and see if they don't realize the end is very possible.
Time to Overthink: Setting Goalposts
Short-Term Goals
What can I accomplish today, tomorrow or before the weekend that will keep me satisfied and motivated?
Mid-Term Goals
What progress do I want to see by next month, this summer or by the end of the year that will show me my dream is within reach?
Long-Term Goals
How soon can I complete my project? How long could it take? At what point do I consider aborting (see 'What if I want to Give Up' above) so that I can not think about aborting until that time comes.
I hope you found this post motivating and will help you on your next project! Please leave a comment on techniques you use or if you care to reveal what your end goals are :)