Post: #1

What do you guys like for pushing through the inevitable grunt work that comes with any worthwhile project?

i.e. the parts where you're setting things up, or pushing through "what must be done", in between the meaty/rewarding parts.

Sustaining motivation through the parts that aren't extrinsically rewarding or intrinsically enjoyable.

Any tools/tips/resources?

For example vision boards, visible goals, visualization, etc. What's worked well for you?

Post: #2

As a med school student when I have to grind through tomes of books Newton’s First Law helps me.

Law of Inertia --> an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

I just force myself to start doing – just that first step. One sentence, one question, then two, then tree and the ball usually rolls from there.

This is what Mike Cernovich has to say on this matter. Small victories are key.

This is how our very own Quintus defines it.

Definition

It is essential as a preliminary matter to know what motivation is. It is not thinking, pondering, or ruminating.

It is action: forward movement or activity, with a purpose. Consider the etymology of the word itself. The word motivation is derived from the Latin motus, which means movement, motion, or activity. This fact must be understood and internalized. Too often, people obsess about the thought processes of motivation, and forget that no amount of thought can be an adequate substitute for movement.

Movement is the key. The Boot of Fate must connect forcibly with one’s posterior, in order for a person to get motivated.

And Quintus’s podcast in which he examines the nature and quality of motivation, defines the five sources of motivation, mentions two incentives for positive mental change and explains the mechanics of refining and polishing one's motivation.

Post: #3

Cool thanks, good tip on building momentum.

Hmm as I see it, motivation is more of a mental/emotional state - an attitude towards action. But yeah, definitely like the idea of getting the ball rolling.

Post: #4

Yeah small wins keep you going in the right direction, especially when you break grueling tasks into smaller pieces... Perhaps you can look into the pomodoro method: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

Post: #5

I listen to lots of podcasts and youtube videos

Post: #6

I like the discussion of motivation above, I also like the method my genius hypomanic Chinese dentist suggested at his usual high rate of speech.

"Just do one thing. One thing!"

He has a stunning wife and kids, is raking it in helping people with their teeth and has a bizarre and difficult technical hobby he does on weekends building complex devices. He's weird as shit, totally transcends "alpha" labels and does whatever the hell he wants, helping people all the while. He loves cleaning everyone's teeth to perfection, doesn't have assistants doing it. Perfectly matched to his career.

I have been trying to have it clear in my mind


What is my top goal right now?

Just that ONE question.

Then as you go through your day, whenever you think of it you can ask,
"Is what I'm doing right now contributing to my goal?"

Of course you need to rest and 'waste time' but wasting time if more fun anyway if you know you're doing it.



For me it's a vinyl record I'm producing. I can't afford the best but that's no excuse to do nothing.

I also like this other one, subordinated to the above clear singular goal.:

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are, now. "

Post: #7

Stick to using daily task lists and break everything down into smaller chunks.

I've had projects that seemed overwhelmingly complex and impossible. I keep breaking everything down into manageable sections. Don't try to bite off more than you can chew or you'll quickly burn out.

Set rewards for yourself as you progress. If you get all your tasks done that week on time, reward yourself with a nice steak. Make it a game against yourself to finish your to do list everyday.

Post: #8

Make sure your environment is free of distractions. Sometimes I can get work done at my apartment but I often find myself distracted by entertainment options. So I like to spend a few hours at the coffeeshop, put in some headphones, and get a good amount of work done there.

Post: #9

Love it! Thanks guys.

So....

-Small chunking
-Build momentum
-Reward self for getting it done on time

IKE, I like that singular focus a lot. But does it really help with motivation? I guess you are saying, keep that single core purpose in mind (and presumably the benefits of achieving it) in order to be motivated to do all the grunt work that leads to it?

Post: #10

It really depends on what the work is.

If it requires deep concentration, I listen to good, more electronic music or even classical or something that puts me in a great mood. It helps me flow better. I do this when drawing, programming, or anything else similar.

If it's physical labor, then I listen to things like podcasts or other interesting things. It makes the time go by faster.

Post: #11

(10-18-2016 07:37 AM)philosophical_recovery Wrote:  It really depends on what the work is.

If it requires deep concentration, I listen to good, more electronic music or even classical or something that puts me in a great mood. It helps me flow better. I do this when drawing, programming, or anything else similar.

If it's physical labor, then I listen to things like podcasts or other interesting things. It makes the time go by faster.

Cool, thanks. That sounds great for rhythmic, focused work where the "rules of the game" are stable.

I wonder about the work that is kind of messy, disconnected - i.e. series of 15-30 minutes tasks that require no mastery but still require concentration. Not so simple you can rush through - but as soon as you've adjusted and 'warmed up' for one thing, it's finished, and you have to load another skillset.

Studies suggest it takes 20 minutes of "activation energy" minutes to hit flow, but when you have 20 different tasks requiring disaparate skillsets, it seems like you're constantly missing out on flow.

I suppose, "batching" similar tasks is one answer, as much as it can be done.

Post: #12

(10-18-2016 08:07 AM)RichieP Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 07:37 AM)philosophical_recovery Wrote:  It really depends on what the work is.

If it requires deep concentration, I listen to good, more electronic music or even classical or something that puts me in a great mood. It helps me flow better. I do this when drawing, programming, or anything else similar.

If it's physical labor, then I listen to things like podcasts or other interesting things. It makes the time go by faster.

Cool, thanks. That sounds great for rhythmic, focused work where the "rules of the game" are stable.

I wonder about the work that is kind of messy, disconnected - i.e. series of 15-30 minutes tasks that require no mastery but still require concentration. Not so simple you can rush through - but as soon as you've adjusted and 'warmed up' for one thing, it's finished, and you have to load another skillset.

Studies suggest it takes 20 minutes of "activation energy" minutes to hit flow, but when you have 20 different tasks requiring disaparate skillsets, it seems like you're constantly missing out on flow.

I suppose, "batching" similar tasks is one answer, as much as it can be done.

Definitely check the Pomodoro technique - 25 mins on and 5 mins off allows really efficient chunking of tasks. Start at 3-4 times/day for a few days and ramp up slowly after that with a 30-60 min break after every 4. I found it's a total gamechanger; my business has a lot of moving parts that require quick task switching, yet my focus stays laser sharp and productivity is solid.

I'm sure there's merit to the activation energy theory too, but for me Pomodoro is king.

Post: #13

Nice one, thanks. Sounds like well worth a go.

Post: #14

The (valid) belief that whatever you are going though is still paradise compared to what black slaves went through or what Jews in the Holocaust went through. Coming home to a cozy bed with good food is always something to be thankful for. Read 12 Years a Slave / Maus which are essential for remembering back to during times like these. I know it sounds extreme but sometimes you need a slap in the face.

In terms of actual work, the momentum rule does apply - just believe that whatever you're about to do is easy, or you're just gonna do the easy part, before you know it, you'll want to keep going.. although you are being ambiguous about what you do
.

Post: #15

I often struggled to find motivation, and found that its too unreliable. Motivation by its nature is fleeting.

Try to develop discipline instead. Mash it into your brain that sometimes you do things not because you like to, but because you have to.

Post: #16

(10-19-2016 06:50 AM)Dalaran1991 Wrote:  I often struggled to find motivation, and found that its too unreliable. Motivation by its nature is fleeting.

Try to develop discipline instead. Mash it into your brain that sometimes you do things not because you like to, but because you have to.

Does that work long-term? I dont know of anyone who truly excelled at work they were overall not motivated to do. I could see it being useful for short stints though.

The most successful people I know jump out of bed to crack on with something they're deeply engaged in. They appear to get sucked in to the point of obsession. I get the sense that they are not flagellating themselves and uncomfortably slogging through masses of grunt work, but rather have a better mental strategy, that keeps them motivated/energized through the "have to do it" stuff. Although I dont know for certain.

Post: #17

It's relatively easy to push through dreary tasks when they're are of a project close to your heart. You just need to keep the end goal in mind. What's really tough is the tedious everyday tasks you have to go through just for being alive, like doing your taxes, paying your traffic tickets, etc. Really dreary stuff that far from contributing to your goals actually take up precious time and sidetrack you.

Post: #18

(10-19-2016 06:50 AM)Dalaran1991 Wrote:  I often struggled to find motivation, and found that its too unreliable. Motivation by its nature is fleeting.

Try to develop discipline instead. Mash it into your brain that sometimes you do things not because you like to, but because you have to.

Yeah, the professional comes to work everyday. The amateur just works when they're motivated.

Post: #19

Ironically that Ali quote is the epitome of motivation (i.e. finding an ulterior motive - in this case being a champion), which contradicts your post.

Post: #20

(11-09-2016 08:18 PM)The Stronger Sex Wrote:  Ironically that Ali quote is the epitome of motivation (i.e. finding an ulterior motive - in this case being a champion), which contradicts your post.

Yeah that's the thing. The guys who do push through years of pain are doing it for a very clear vivid reason... nobody does that without a singular focus on a glorious payoff.

What I'm interested in is how they retain that reward-focus in a way that sustains motivation. It may simply come down to temperament, and natural tendency to visualize/ focus on future reward, self-belief, etc. Or even a basic sense of being happy when striving, unhappy when not.

But Im willing to bet they also have other replicable success habits... vision boards, writing visible goals/scoreboards, or regular "mental habits" e.g. things they tell themselves, remind themselves of when they are down, distracted, tired, unmotivated, etc.

Everybody gets distracted, tired or feels like giving up ... but some people are much better at "course-correcting" and sticking with productive action than others. What are they doing differently - behavior, environment, and mental habits? I think that's where the gold will be.

Post: #21

I think the key thing to getting through anything is having a purpose in doing them. When you want to quit or hit a wall while doing grunt work, knowing that you have a purpose in doing it helps you refocus. I had no purpose the last few days of work, to the point where I wanted to walk out on the job (to flee from it), but when I thought of why I was doing it, and where it would lead me, that kept me going the rest of the day.

So maybe that could help. Maybe not, but for me, knowing why I am doing something and my purpose in doing so helps me get the job done.

Post: #22

(11-11-2016 01:03 PM)Loki131 Wrote:  I think the key thing to getting through anything is having a purpose in doing them. When you want to quit or hit a wall while doing grunt work, knowing that you have a purpose in doing it helps you refocus. I had no purpose the last few days of work, to the point where I wanted to walk out on the job (to flee from it), but when I thought of why I was doing it, and where it would lead me, that kept me going the rest of the day.

So maybe that could help. Maybe not, but for me, knowing why I am doing something and my purpose in doing so helps me get the job done.

Great stuff.

-What prompted you to turn your focus to your future purpose? Anything particular in the environment that triggered it, or you just found yourself thinking about it?

-Any particular 'technique' for visualizing your future, or did you just let your mind focus on it in whatever way is natural for you?

Cheers.

Post: #23

(10-17-2016 07:48 AM)RichieP Wrote:  For example vision boards, visible goals, visualization, etc. What's worked well for you?

Never even heard of those. Literally the first time, and I have no idea what that means. What is this some new corporate or sjw speak version of "work?"

No wonder you are bored.

Quit and start a company that does not use "vision boards."

Post: #24

^Entirely valueless post. Stay out of threads where you have nothing constructive to add.

Post: #25

(11-11-2016 06:39 PM)RichieP Wrote:  ^Entirely valueless post. Stay out of threads where you have nothing constructive to add.

If where you work is wasting resources (your time) and you can accomplish the project without busy work and save resources (your valuable time) then you can offer the service to clients cheaper and better.

Maybe you should read it again and think before making a remark that my comment was valueless / not constructive. My comment may have been worth a million dollars.

I'll show you the value:

The projects you are working on are worth $50,000 each to the company and result in 10% profit. Five people on the team have to spend 20 hours each doing dreary (your words) of whatever those things are above that have no bearing on anything they just provide metrics to the corporation so that the corporation can report jerkoff stats to themselves.

YOU start a new firm and can do the job for $40,000 and do it better and do it with a smaller team because the workflow does not include whatever those things were that I still have no idea what they are. You also make %30 percent profit because in addition to the above you have lower overhead because you are located in an attic above the hipster coffee shop instead of in the class a tower. You save on taxes using a new Trump tax incentive that the old employer is too slow to jump on. Your clients know you can get the job done and overlook your address.

You do this for two years and turn a decent profit, and amazingly that profit and free cash flow now means that your shares in this enterprise are worth $1,000,000. You are the newest RVF millionaire and you go to my entrepreneurship thread in 2019 to apologize.



I didn't give you a worthless answer, I gave you an answer someone else will be inspired by. For ideas on how to flip your pen to make it through the day, I won't answer - per your request.