Consistency over motivation: How to continue working on your idea even if you don't see results (yet)

I remember setting New Year's resolutions. At those times, I had strong motivation and inspiration. I was following all the rules setting my goals using the S.M.A.R.T. technique, and it felt like nothing could stop me!

But then, after a month or even a few weeks, my motivation and enthusiasm were falling down. And finally, after some time, I was giving up on my goals.

After dozens of unsuccessful attempts to reach my goals, I stopped setting objectives until one day I discovered the method called - Implementation intentions.

Fortunately, it happened almost at the same time I came up with a startup idea. So, I have started using it straight away.

Below I will share my experience using this technique. Spoiler: this method will not guarantee you results. But it will help you consistently work on your idea for quite a lengthy period.

Problem with the goals in new projects

It is impossible to set clear goals for a new project. How can you set an objective when the environment is uncertain?

Goals can be set only on consistent things when it is clear what type of actions will lead to the final result. In other words, you need to know the cause and effect to set strict objectives.

So that's why the implementation intentions method is very useful when you are at the beginning of your journey. You need to concentrate more on regular actions rather than on concrete measurable goals.

To start, you have to create an action plan answering three questions:

1. WHAT?
2. WHEN?
3. WHERE?

This is what my plan looks like:

"I'm working at least two hours a day on Templid from Monday till Friday from anywhere."

What if?

We rarely think about the path we need to go through when we set objectives. We tend to think about the final result more. So, mostly, we came to the point where we have a clear target, but an abstract vision of how we will get there.

Things in life can go differently than we'd expected. So there might be days when you are not able to take action on your plan.

Try to remember situations, when you've planned something, but you couldn't do that because of unexpected circumstances.

Coping plans can help to deal with that.

Update your plan with if-else statements. Think about potential difficulties and the ways you can overcome them. Here are my examples:

1. If I'll get sick, I'll take a rest and will come back to work on the project after I'll get well;
2. If I won't be able to work on the project, I'll write down missed hours and will work on them the next day;
3. In case I reach ten hours of debt, it means I need to remake my plan.

So, as you can see, these simple rules allow my brain to make decisions easier.

Exit strategy

As the project is new, I have updated my plan with an exit strategy because I am uncertain whether it will generate revenue and profit.

My plan is to work on this project for at least one year. If there will be no outcome or promising future results, I'll stop working on the project. Additionally, I will document the lessons learned from this project.

Current state

I have been following my plan for almost four months already.

What's more important, I'm constantly working on a project that has 0 paying customers at the moment.

In the case of "classic" goals, I would quit if there would be no results in a few months.

What do you think? Please share your experience. Let's discuss this topic in the comments.