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Discipline doesn't work for everyone. I suspect most folks who are reading this article are doing so because they failed at self-discipline (like myself). Inst

Discipline doesn't work for everyone. I suspect most folks who are reading this article are doing so because they failed at self-discipline (like myself). Instead, I suggest observing how long your motivation tends to last (~2 weeks for me). Then at the very start of the project ruthlessly cut down the scope to something you think you could actually get done in that time period. This will probably require you to simplify some of the stuff you were planning to develop Maybe you'll adopt just one new tool you need to ramp up on instead of five. But by embracing the ticking motivation deadline you can modify the work you take on to something that you'll actually finish. I wrote about this recently, and how I applied this technique to a project I was working on. https://twitter.com/ZainRzv/status/1275276323120746498 https://twitter.com/ZainRzv/status/1275276323120746498

slothtrop 6y ago
Alongside discipline there's also simply losing interest. There are projects I could maintain over a long period because I still believe in them, but most I stop caring about. I've probably picked up and dropped music the most, often for something else. I think Bukowski's aphorism "don't try" is useful. He means that he was always compelled to write, and that if you have to force yourself consistently, it's probably not for you. That being said, discipline is still forever important. There's a difference between my laziness and general interest in something.