A handful of ideas that have worked for me recently:
1. Make a To Do list (and include some items that don’t take long to do).
Knock out one or two of those first. That feels like you’re making progress.
2. Do something badly.
I wrote a novel without putting much effort into it at first.
I didn’t mean to write a masterpiece, just something quick. So I started, did it, finished it. It wasn’t amazing, but it felt like progress because of how much I accomplished each day. The book was out in the world within a couple months.
3. Ask people what they’re working on.
Sometimes, the challenge is that nothing feels inspiring. You’re like, “What am I supposed to work on? What’s the point?”
Most of the tasks people choose to do aren’t meaningful. Most won’t feel amazing for you.
But by talking with people who are interested in what they’re doing, you’ll come up with some ideas for what you do want to do.
4. Drink coffee.
It’s the caffeine, so if you’re not into coffee, drink some other caffeinated beverage. Eat some chocolate. Getting your mind going will give you some ideas.
5. Do whatever you’re currently doing but make it fun (think silly, surprising).
For instance, I’m delivering pizzas for Dominos two days a week. That doesn’t feel like progress. The money does, if I can put it toward something that moves us forward, but the hours actually driving and delivering don’t feel like progress.
Until I start making it playful on purpose.
I don’t know.
Wear two different types of shoes. See if anyone notices.
Skip.
Do a spin move when you’re getting up to the door.
Just smile instead of being a grumpy pants.
Use corny phrases (like “grumpy pants”) that make you smile because they’re ridiculous.
And then once it feels fun, it’s easier to see how you can make actual progress (learning customer service, getting better at making people laugh, whatever). And then when you’re making progress—the kind that feels objective, not just “I’m having fun”—then it’s a self-perpetuating cycle.
