When you’re losing motivation for a project or another item on your to-do list, look for a quick win.
From the “Quick Wins” chapter of Rework:
“The way you build momentum is by getting something done and then moving on to the next thing. No one likes to be stuck on an endless project with no finish line in sight. Being in the trenches for nine months and not having anything to show for it is a real buzzkill. Eventually, it just burns you out. To keep your momentum and your motivation up, get in the habit of accomplishing small victories along the way. Even a tiny improvement can give you a good jolt of momentum.”
If you’re a student working on a college application, a counselor working on letters of recommendation, or a parent stuck in a long-term project at work or at home, identify a potential quick win and go after it. Then you’ll have momentum on your side.