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Long-term Project Motivation

By Conrad
In working with some of our clients and in my previous job I discovered a motivation curve experienced during long-term projects on the client site. It goes a little something like this: lots of excitement and motivation in the beginning; sluggish to nearly motionless in the middle; and then a quick pick up at the end in time to meet deadlines and complete the project. This end bit usually requires a sizeable amount of scrambling, the goal becoming less about perfection and more about just getting it all done in time.

This lack of consistent motivation on long projects is nothing new and finding ways to help fend it off is always tricky.

Some suggestions for maintaining enthusiasm...

- Set smaller milestones beyond those included in the project timeline. More importantly, get into the habit of celebrating each one that is met by treating yourself or taking your team out for a celebration. Making time for this type of reward should help to refocus and keep up motivation.

- Bring in a new team member for a specific task in the middle of the project. That person's fresh energy will likely help to get you motivated once again and in all likelihood revitalize the project.

- Always have a support team in place to give an outside perspective at regular intervals during the project, including when it nears the end. Too much time spent looking at the same information tends to narrow one's outlook, disguise mistakes, and obscure alternative solutions.

Though only a start, these steps may help to rescue a long-term project by preserving your motivation. As an added bonus, you maintain some of your drive and excitement, leading to a more positive experience in the workplace.