25 for 2025 - Achievement Fatigue?

When you're working on a long-term project, it can begin to feel as if you're pushing a giant boulder up a steep hill.

I call this achievement fatigue. I don't know if that's a real phrase I've heard somewhere or if I just came up with it, but it definitely applies.

Sometimes when you're working the same project day after day, you start to feel as if it will never be completed. That's usually when you falter and may think about quitting.

Hang in there. Hold fast to the visualization of the end of the project—the culmination—the point when it's over, and you've done it!

That's persistence and that's what it takes to achieve anything worthwhile which brings me to...

MARCH UPDATE OF 25 FOR 2025

I've accomplished a lot this month by consistently working on my big projects—new book covers, new file formats, editing older books, writing the new book, and other writing-related tasks that many of you may not relate to.

When that "achievement fatigue" began to hit me, I knew it was time to shake things up so I broke my day into two—before noon and after lunch. 

Before noon, I began working on my spring garden and new landscaping. After lunch, I went to my office and started on the writing work I had scheduled for the day.

This change-up works for me because while I'm working in the yard, my brain is busy with the plot, characters, and upcoming scenes in the book I'm writing. Plus, I get some much needed physical activity.

Because I'm thinking about my work in progress, I'm ready to get started when I hit the office.

HAVE A PLAN WHEN FATIGUE HITS

I think many of us try to push past "achievement fatigue" and keep our noses firmly on the grindstone, but that can be counter-productive. In fact, our malaise may continue to grow until we hit the wall and just want to quit.

Plan for that. Know what you're going to do when you reach the point that you just don't want to do it a minute longer.

RECAP OF PROGRESS REPORTS ON 25 FOR 2025

If you want to check in on the monthly progress reports, click the link to read each.

#1 for 2025

Be realistic in setting goals, planning work, or writing resolutions. If you find yourself constantly feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and look at your expectations. Are they realistic?

#2 for 2025

Use a day planner to be accountable and to stay on task. Make scheduling your work  a daily habit because it will make the goal ever-present in your mind which will make you accountable. This is a profound key to accomplishment.

#3 for 2025

Attack your long-term projects persistently and consistently. A mountain can be moved one shovelful at a time, and a big project can be completed, one small segment at a time. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Nothing lasts forever. If you're trying to achieve something amazing, give yourself the best shot at it by planning for that "hit the wall" feeling that will crop up. Change your attack, and you'll come out on top.

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