Best tips for staying motivated and productive as a startup founder?

Ashik Hameed
68 replies
Starting a startup is tough and keeping the grind going can be even tougher. How do u stay pumped and productive? Any hacks, tricks, or just good ol’ advice that keeps u going? Here's my top 5 tips: 1. Break Tasks Into Small Chunks: Makes big tasks less overwhelming. Set Clear Goals: Knowing what you're working towards keeps you focused. 2. Take Breaks & Meditate: Short breaks can boost productivity. Helps manage stress and maintain focus. Also, rest is crucial for maintaining productivity. 3. Exercise & Stay Connected: This keeps the mind and body sharp. Network with other founders for support and ideas. 4. Celebrate Small Wins: Keeps you motivated along the journey. 5. Stay Flexible: Be ready to pivot if something isn’t working. Share ur tips and let’s help each other!

Replies

CY Zhou
As a startup founder, it's crucial to set clear, achievable goals and celebrate small wins along the way. Additionally, surrounding yourself with a supportive network can provide the encouragement and accountability needed to stay motivated and productive.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@lightfield I totally agree! Setting clear, achievable goals and celebrating small wins are key.
Richard Reis
Most Recommended Books
Most Recommended Books
I think that motivation comes from things going well. Basically when things are going well, I'm motivated and can work 24hrs a day. And when they're not, I'm not and don't want to work. Knowing that helps. Because when I feel unmotivated I naturally ask "ok... what's not going well?" and then go fix that. The lack of motivation is a sign you need to fix something.
Share
Ashik Hameed
I completely agree, @richardreeze . Motivation definitely fluctuates with how things are going. It's insightful to view a lack of motivation as a sign that something needs fixing. Identifying and addressing those issues can help get things back on track. Thanks for sharing this perspective!
Share
Vaibhav
Great list. I am working on the 4th point because you get used to them at a point.
Share
Kostya Bolshukhin
Focus, cut some processes that don't work regularly. Double efforts in areas you do well
Share
Ashik Hameed
@kostyabolsh Absolutely! Doubling down on what you do well can really drive success. Thanks for the great advice!
Tomáš Blaťák
4. is really important
Share
Hossein Yazdi
The tips you've mentioned are all right and helpful, though it's still a challenging thing for a solo founder. I would also add setting a timer and time limit for each task, this can also add to motivating you!
Share
Ashik Hameed
@hosseinyazdi Absolutely, setting a timer and time limit for each task is a great addition! It helps maintain focus and keeps you moving forward.
julie accaro
Great advice, Ashik! How do you personally keep yourself motivated on the days when things just aren’t going your way?
Share
Ashik Hameed
@julieaccaro Thanks! On tough days, I remind myself of my long-term goals and the reasons why I started in the first place. Taking small breaks, talking to mentors, and celebrating even the smallest achievements help me stay motivated. What strategies do you use to stay motivated when things get challenging?
Liu Alex
All the tips are great! But the thing can finally make founders consist, is a good result.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@liu_alex1 I agree, good results can definitely boost consistency and motivation for founders. However, it's also important to maintain resilience and keep pushing forward even when results aren't immediate. Balancing expectations and celebrating small wins along the way can keep the momentum going.
Share
Liu Alex
@ashikhameed Exactly. Even small successes can be encouraging.
M Sulaiman
Hey Ashik, thanks for sharing your tips! Staying motivated as a startup founder can indeed be challenging. Here are some of my tips: Create a Routine: Start your day with a set routine. It helps set the tone for productivity. Set Clear Priorities: Focus on the most important tasks first and don’t get bogged down by less critical ones. Stay Healthy: A good diet and enough sleep can make a huge difference in your productivity. Limit Distractions: Identify what typically distracts you and find ways to minimize them. Stay Inspired: Regularly remind yourself why you started and the impact you want to make. PS: We're excited to announce that we're launching SEOPro: SEO Products Optimizer soon. Would appreciate your support!
Share
Ashik Hameed
@b2bsulaiman Hey, thanks for sharing these great tips! Creating a routine and setting clear priorities are definitely key. I'll keep an eye out for SEOPro and give it my support. Best of luck with the launch man! 🚀
JaredL
I mainly write code myself, while also doing some marketing work, which helps to relax my brain. In addition, when I am very tired, I will practice a set of Eight Pieces of Brocade, which can restore about half of my vitality in around 10 minutes. This is a form of Chinese Taoist health exercise. And the biggest motivation for me comes from user growth and payments, which gives me continuous drive. 😉
Share
Ashik Hameed
@jaredl Thanks for sharing, Jared! It's awesome that you balance coding with marketing to give your brain a break. The Eight Pieces of Brocade sounds fascinating—I'll have to give it a try for a quick energy boost. Did you learn it from somewhere? @jaredl
JaredL
@ashikhameed or this one:
Share
JaredL
@ashikhameed During the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed a persistent cough. Traditional Chinese medicine told me to do this for my health, and it did help!
Ashik Hameed
@jaredl yayy! thanks for sharing this 😃
Gurkaran Singh
Ahoy startup trailblazers! Remember, staying motivated is like debugging code - sometimes you just need to step back, take a breath, and tackle it one line at a time. Keep pushing forward!
Share
Ashik Hameed
@thestarkster Absolutely! Staying motivated can indeed be like debugging code—taking it one step at a time makes all the difference. What are your go-to methods for taking a break and recharging when things get tough? @thestarkster
Zayan Riyaz
Great tips @ashikhameed! here are a few more to add from my side, 1. Morning Routine: Start your day with a consistent routine to set a productive tone. 2. Time Blocking: Allocate specific times for different tasks to stay focused. 3. Declutter Workspace: A tidy workspace can help clear your mind. 4. Listen to Podcasts/Audiobooks: Inspiring content can keep you motivated during downtimes. 5. Accountability Partner: Having someone to check in with can keep you on track. These are some habits I learnt and started to get its benefits lately.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@zayan_riyaz Thanks for the great adds! I totally agree. I've also seen the transformation that morning routines and listening to podcasts can bring. Appreciate your insights and sharing these habits! 😃
Igor Gusarov
I like switching context. From dev to marketing to sales to design to finance. It helps to not get stuck.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@igorgusarov Wow, I do the same! It’s always that situations take your focus to another department just when you need it most. Keeps things dynamic and helps you stay versatile. 😅
Share
Abhra Chakraborty
@ashikhameed, these are fantastic tips! 😃 Breaking tasks into smaller chunks always helps me stay on track too. I’d add the importance of maintaining a consistent routine. Having set times for work, exercise, and relaxation can make a huge difference. Also, keeping a journal to track progress and reflect on what’s working and what’s not can be incredibly motivating. What do you think? 😄🚀
Share
Ashik Hameed
@abhra_ch Thanks! I completely agree, maintaining a consistent routine is crucial. Having set times for work, exercise, and relaxation helps create balance. Keeping a journal to track progress and reflect sounds like a great idea. How has journaling helped you stay motivated and on track?
Share
Abhra Chakraborty
@ashikhameed It helps me stay organized Ashik, reflect on my goals, and see my progress over time. It's a great way to stay motivated, atleast for me 😅 and keep track of what works and what needs adjustment. 😊
Jesscia Nelson
Based on my experience, it's helpful to have a hobby that's totally unrelated to your job. When you start feeling burned out, you can take a break and switch to this hobby to recharge, then come back to your work with renewed energy.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@jessica_nelson730 That’s a great approach! Having a hobby unrelated to work can really help in recharging and coming back with renewed energy. What hobby do you turn to when you need a break from work?
elsa_jonathan
Awesome advice! Breaking tasks into smaller pieces and setting clear goals are key for me. Meditation and regular exercise help me stay sharp.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@elsa_jonathan78 truly, I'm glad we're aligned on this!
Marie-Philippe Leblanc
Great post! I agree with all you said!
Share
Luke Wright
I agree that breaking tasks down and setting clear goals are important. Regular breaks and exercise are key for maintaining focus.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@luke_wright1 yeah, great to see we're on the same page!
Mitchell Marshall
I also break tasks down and set clear goals. Short breaks and regular exercise are crucial.
Share
Ashik Hameed
@mitchell_marshall1 thanks for sharing buddy, good to know.