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A while ago I had all these ideas for side projects, and I really wanted to create something. However, every time I started to work on it I usually started the IDE, wrote a couple of lines, and quickly lost motivation. This kept going for a while. I just wasn't feeling it and when there is little or no (visible) progress it can be hard for me to continue working.

Then one day I wanted to push through it, and decided to set a rule: I have to make at least one commit per day, no matter how small.

So I (re)started work on a side project, and by the time I was satisfied with what I'd want to commit I've made enough progress to want to continue working on it. This quickly turned minutes of coding into (late) hours. Now I have a couple of side projects going which are progressing quite nicely, and I feel motivated to work on them again.

I don't know if there are any other people on here who've had this feeling, but if you did maybe this'll help you :) I'd love to hear from you how you keep yourself motivated!

Comments
  • 12
    I hardly can keep motivated if I don't have a partner on a project. for me sharing is the base of motivation. usually I'd do a project to bring it to success and success is meaningless if not shared.
  • 6
    One commit a day sounds like a very good idea, would definitely work for me! I'll try that :)
  • 5
    I don't need motivation.. My wife needs a hobby..
  • 1
    Been there. Working on a new side project now and hoping I don't fall into this.
  • 4
    That is a freaking good idea, I will try that! Thank you for sharing
  • 5
    It seems like I can't work for myself. I can work from home for a client or company without problems, but when I try to finish a personal project I just get distracted. I sometimes even find myself researching stuff for work when I'm supposed to do something for myself.
  • 1
    @NuoNuo Totally agreed. After years of discovering, I think the root of happiness is sharing. You either complete the project quickly and share the result. Or you share your WIP codes to your partners who are working with you and would appreciate and even advice your codes.
  • 0
    I know that feeling exactly! It kept me from working on anything until I found projects that interested me enough to stick with them.
  • 1
    Favorited this rant.
  • 0
    me too
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