Table of Contents
- Are you good at starting new projects?
- Do you stick with something until you finish it?
- Do you sometimes start things but then lose interest?
- Do you tend to talk more about what you do than actually do it?
- Do you have many unfinished projects?
- Do you start something new but then stop when it gets complicated or you don’t know what to do next?
- Do you feel like you need to do all the work yourself because you want it to be done perfectly?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. In fact, many people are like this. It can be difficult to stay motivated and see things through until the end. Successful people will tell you that their journey to success had its ups and downs. In the beginning, it’s exciting and enjoyable. You have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. But then things can get boring or you encounter obstacles. You might also get distracted or procrastinate. There are many reasons why you might lose interest or give up.
Whether your goal is to make money, start a business, be creative, or anything else, it all starts as a dream. But a dream remains just a dream until you take action and make it a responsibility. Once it becomes your responsibility, it’s up to you to make it happen. This is something I’ve come to understand.
It’s natural to want the path to riches to be easy and effortless. Unfortunately, that’s not how things usually work. However, if you expect that there will be challenges along the way, you can prepare yourself and minimize the chances of giving up before reaching your goal.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
Flow and Ebb States
Have you ever heard of the state of “flow”? It’s a psychological concept where you become so focused on an activity that time seems to stop and you feel completely absorbed in what you’re doing. Some people call it being “in the zone.”
Have you ever experienced this state of flow? Different activities can bring it about for different people. For example, some people find it while gardening, reading, taking walks in nature, painting, or meditating. Each person has their own unique activities that put them in a state of flow.
Self-made millionaires often talk about being in a state of flow while working towards their goals. They usually achieve success by doing something they love, which helps them stay in that state of flow.
Being in a state of flow feels wonderful, so it’s a good idea to choose activities that put you in that state. However, being in a state of flow is only one part of the story. As much as we would all love to be in a state of flow all the time, it doesn’t work that way. Flow is only half of the equation—the other half is ebb.
When people talk about “ebb,” they usually see it as a negative state. They might say their energy is ebbing or that their company sales have ebbed. It’s seen as the opposite of flow, and people often wish they didn’t experience it.
But I see ebb differently. I see it as the partner of flow. Ebb and flow are two halves of a whole. If we attach a positive association to flow, then let’s attach a positive association to ebb as well. After all, it’s a state of being we all find ourselves in from time to time.
Just like the ocean, which doesn’t only flow but also ebbs, there’s nothing wrong with experiencing ebb. It simply means that in one part of the world, the ocean is ebbing at that moment (while in another part, it’s flowing). Some coasts and beaches experience flood tide while others experience ebb tide. It’s a natural cycle.
During a low period (ebb state), you have a chance to get closer to your goal by doing certain things. When you’re feeling low, you might want to delay or avoid doing your regular tasks or become inactive. However, now that you know it’s normal to feel low sometimes, you can choose to handle it differently. Think of feeling motivated as summer and feeling low as winter. You can be productive and successful during both seasons, even though they are very different.
When you’re feeling low, there are four main things you can do: renew, review, revise, and recommit. In simple terms, during a low period, we have less energy and focus (it’s the opposite of feeling motivated), so it’s a good time to:
- Renew: Find ways to take care of yourself and recharge your energy.
- Review: Take a look at your plans and actions to see if you’re still on the right track.
- Revise: Make any necessary changes or adjustments to your plans and actions.
- Recommit: Make a conscious decision to once again focus on your goal and dedicate yourself to it.
Be Consistent
Self-made millionaires have certain habits that help them become successful. One important habit is being consistent. If you talk to any self-made millionaire, they will tell you that they made their goal a top priority and worked on it consistently, usually every day.
If you have a big goal, but you only want to work on it when you feel like it or for just a short time each week, it’s unlikely that you will achieve your goal anytime soon. If you’re not fully committed and willing to put in regular effort, maybe you haven’t chosen a goal that truly excites you or is important enough to you.
You should want your goal so much that you are willing to dedicate time every day to work towards it. It’s important to take breaks and rest to stay balanced, but make sure to develop the habit of consistently taking actions towards your goal.
The more consistent you are, the faster you will reach your goal. I’ve come across self-made millionaires who worked on their goal while having a full-time job and other responsibilities. How did they do it? Some woke up an hour earlier to work on their goal. Others stayed up an hour later if they were not morning people. Some found time during their lunch break, between classes, when the kids were asleep or at school, or at some other time they could fit into their busy lives.
Be Persistent
The sibling of the word “consistent” is “persistent.” When we say someone is consistent, it means they do something every day. But when we say someone is persistent, it means they keep doing those things even when they don’t feel like it.
We all have days when we don’t feel motivated to work towards our goals. Let’s imagine going to the gym as an example. In the beginning, going to the gym feels new and exciting, and we have a strong desire to build a healthier and stronger body. The first few days are filled with learning and trying new things. However, after a few weeks, the excitement wears off, and we might feel tired and sore.
One morning, we wake up with the intention of going to the gym, but our bed is warm, we’re sore, and it’s raining outside. It feels like a huge effort to go to the gym. The temptation to stay home for just one day is strong. We might think, “I’ll go back tomorrow, just for today.” So, we decide to go back to sleep instead. Throughout that day, we notice that we’re sore, but we don’t experience the positive feeling we usually get after a gym workout. We brush it off and say, “Oh well, I’ll go back tomorrow.”
The next morning arrives, and we think, “I really enjoyed sleeping in yesterday. Maybe I’ll do it again today, especially since it’s raining again.” Each day we don’t go to the gym, it becomes harder to start again.
On our journey towards our goals, there will be days like this. There will be times when we feel like taking a break, and there will be challenges that come our way, just like snowy days. It’s during those times that we need to push ourselves and take action towards our goals. People who manage to get out of bed and go to the gym despite their feelings and the snow will tell you that it was the best thing they did. Afterwards, they are glad they overcame their initial resistance and stayed on track. Their goal of becoming healthy and fit is now one step closer because of their persistence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, starting new projects and staying committed to them can be challenging, and it’s common to experience moments of losing interest or facing obstacles along the way. However, successful individuals emphasize the importance of staying motivated and persistent. While the state of flow, where we feel completely absorbed in what we’re doing, is desirable, it’s essential to acknowledge the ebb state as well, a natural part of the journey. During low periods, we can focus on renewing ourselves, reviewing our plans, making necessary revisions, and recommitting to our goals. Consistency and persistence are key traits of self-made millionaires who prioritize their goals and take regular action towards them, even when motivation wanes. By pushing through challenges and maintaining persistence, we can overcome resistance and steadily progress towards achieving our aspirations. (Inspired from “The Prosperity Principles” by Joel Fotinos).
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