How to Make Consistent Progress on a Long-Running Project

We, as a species, have evolved from a place vastly different from our modern world. Understanding this evolutionary backdrop can shed light on why initiating and persisting in long-term projects can be challenging. Our ancestors faced daily uncertainties regarding food and water, and this history has wired our brains to prioritize immediate rewards over long-term payoffs. This instinctual bias manifests as a psychological 'wall' that often discourages us from starting tasks that do not promise immediate survival benefits.

However, we also possess the unique ability to override this primitive mindset. This capability was evident in the first farmers who overcame the "this is pointless, why even try" mentality, paving the way from hunter-gatherer societies to settled civilizations.

The Psychology of Progress

When embarking on a project, we encounter a mental barrier that whispers, "this won't help you survive, go do something else instead." Occasionally, the promise of completing a task and the subsequent dopamine rush can motivate us, but this motivation is fleeting and unreliable. A terrible partner that’s only visiting when it sees fit.

Determination vs. Discipline

Determination can help us breach this initial barrier. When powered by determination, and later by passion, we can enter a 'flow state,' a period of heightened focus and enjoyment. Passion, a deeper and more sustainable drive than mere motivation, allows us to persevere even when tasks are challenging. However, passion alone isn't foolproof. Over time, the novelty fades, and the psychological wall resurfaces, now taller and more daunting.

Cultivating Discipline Through Routine

To counter this, discipline must enter the equation. Unlike fleeting motivation or the initial surge of determination, discipline is the steadfast commitment to persist despite dwindling initial excitement or rising challenges. Discipline is what separates the sporadic jogger from the individual who runs even when it’s pouring down outside. It's the process of pushing against the growing wall of resistance until the act becomes a routine. When an activity becomes routine, it's less of an active choice and more of an ingrained behaviour, reducing the psychological wall's size as climbing the wall becomes automated.

Practical Strategies for Sustaining Progress

So, you might be thinking, this sounds great, but how does one do this? One way is to setup SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), where you can take the time that you have, and plan out what you want to achieve given the time you have available. Tracking these goals means you have something to “tick off” which is always a rewarding feeling, making coming back next time a little bit easier.

Another one, is this ties into the flow state as well, is breaking the task into smaller and smaller chunks, until a chunk can be done by itself. It makes the task seem less daunting as you now have several small steps, which all seem easy. You then pick a step you can do, without having to think about it at all, because starting is always the hardest part. Once you start working on it and you complete the step, move onto the next, now you are feeling like you are making progress and motivation and flow will start to take over, as you are doing something you like doing. Once you are in the flow state, you can start to look at the more challenging steps, now these will seem manageable, and you also have the context of what you are working on already at the forefront of your mind, this makes you see everything in context a lot clearer.

Something that always helps in bridging the gap between motivation and discipline is accountability. Whether through a partner, team, or public commitment, accountability can reinforce discipline.

While establishing a routine is important, it's equally important to maintain flexibility. Long-term projects are dynamic, often requiring adopting to new information or changing circumstances. Balancing routine with an openness to innovation ensures that your progress remains relevant and engaging, while avoiding burn outs or going down slippery slopes.

Embracing the Journey

Remember, the journey toward achieving long-term goals is not just about the result but also about the growth and learning that occur along the way. By understanding and harnessing the power of our evolutionary instincts, setting clear and manageable goals, and cultivating a balance between discipline and flexibility, we can navigate the psychological barriers to consistent progress and find fulfillment in our long-term endeavours.

So, to sum it all up, making progress on a long-term project requires more than just fleeting motivation. It demands the cultivation of discipline, the establishment of routine, and the flexibility to adapt to change. By setting clear goals, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and embracing both the struggles and triumphs of the journey, we can turn our long-term projects into meaningful and fulfilling achievements.