Best tips for staying motivated and productive as a startup founder?
Ashik Hameed
71 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@lightfield
Vozo AI
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.
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@lightfield I totally agree! Setting clear, achievable goals and celebrating small wins are key.
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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.
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!
Great list. I am working on the 4th point because you get used to them at a point.
Focus, cut some processes that don't work regularly. Double efforts in areas you do well
@kostyabolsh Absolutely! Doubling down on what you do well can really drive success. Thanks for the great advice!
Zebracat AI
Launching soon!
To stay motivated and productive as a startup founder, I set clear goals, prioritize tasks, and stay organized. Taking regular breaks, networking with other founders, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are essential. Celebrating wins and acknowledging progress keeps my motivation high.
@hamza_afzal_butt Absolutely! Setting clear goals and prioritizing tasks are key to staying productive. Regular breaks, networking, and a healthy lifestyle are essential too. Celebrating wins and acknowledging progress definitely help maintain motivation.
How do you prioritize your tasks effectively? @hamza_afzal_butt
4. is really important
WebCurate
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!
@hosseinyazdi Absolutely, setting a timer and time limit for each task is a great addition! It helps maintain focus and keeps you moving forward.
Great advice, Ashik!
How do you personally keep yourself motivated on the days when things just aren’t going your way?
@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?
AutoAE
All the tips are great! But the thing can finally make founders consist, is a good result.
AutoAE
@ashikhameed Exactly. Even small successes can be encouraging.
@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.
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!
@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! 🚀
your list is spot on! I find breaking tasks into smaller steps really helps me stay on track.
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. 😉
@ashikhameed or this one:
@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!
@ashikhameed You can refer to this video: https://www.bilibili.com/video/B...
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!
@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
The 5th one is my top
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.
@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! 😃
Almeta ML
I like switching context. From dev to marketing to sales to design to finance. It helps to not get stuck.
@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. 😅
@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? 😄🚀
@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. 😊
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.
@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?
Awesome advice! Breaking tasks into smaller pieces and setting clear goals are key for me. Meditation and regular exercise help me stay sharp.
@elsa_jonathan78 truly, I'm glad we're aligned on this!
Great post! I agree with all you said!