The problem, as you've touched upon, is adjusting the dials between size-of-reward (S) and time-to-payout (T). S and T are, typically, inversely correlated. So

The problem, as you've touched upon, is adjusting the dials between size-of-reward (S) and time-to-payout (T). S and T are, typically, inversely correlated. So we're forced to make a series of compromises in the scale of our goals in order to make them realistic. I've found that, while there's no great way to "solve" this problem, there are systems you can use to manage it. Such as breaking down a larger task into increments. Incrementality is about viewing a larger task as the sum of a series of smaller tasks -- thereby allowing you to encounter a payout on a regular basis, rather than going exceedingly long stretches without one. Procrastination is really a T problem, not an S problem. Hence, why incrementality really works. (Conversely, increasing S doesn't yield linearly adjusting motivation sufficient to overcome procrastination).