Ask HN: Solo content creators, how do you motivate yourself? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Solo content creators, how do you motivate yourself?

What are some techniques and pieces of advice you can give to a new content creator to get sh#t done?

Since there is nobody to hold me accountable, it's very easy to fall into procrastination. Sometimes it's disguised as content research, Sometimes I just can't deal with environmental distractions like sound and just say f#ck it

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Motivation is overrated [1]. If you've been searching for it for weeks or months without success, stop looking. Chances are, you won't find it. Even if you're super hyped about the end goal, the steps needed to reach it can be grueling. But sometimes, you must take those steps anyway to get things done and reach your goal.

Don't get me wrong - motivation is fantastic if you can find it. But how much time are you willing to spend searching for it? If every unpleasant task requires days of mental prep just to get started, how much progress can you realistically make?

Motivation doesn't matter. What matters is taking that first step and then another. Instead of looking for motivation, look for a method that pushes you to take each step forward. If you find such a method, you'll reach your goal.

> Since there's nobody to hold me accountable, it's all too easy to fall into procrastination.

Find someone to hold you accountable. Try Facebook or Reddit groups. Unfortunately - and this isn't just my opinion - online accountability buddies often go MIA, and these setups rarely last more than a few weeks.

Shameless plug: There's another option. We're professional body doubles (https://workmode.net/) - think accountability buddies on steroids. Boss as a Service. We connect with you over a video call and simply watch you work. This tricks your brain into (pun intended) work mode. Why does it work? Simple: social pressure. It's surprisingly hard to be unproductive when someone is watching. The effect is so strong it can override the urge to procrastinate.

[1] Most people understand motivation as an internal drive to do things. I assure you, you may feel that drive yet still accomplish nothing for days, weeks, or even years. Been there, done that.

Edit: formatting

> Shameless plug: There's...

I feel like this would only increase my anxiety. I'm a bad performer when someone is watching

You won't know until you try it. From your own description, you feel pressure when someone watches you, so the effect is present. Maybe all you need is a friendly environment. If body doubling with us isn't for you, you might try with the most friendly person you know. If that works for you, you'll know that the method has potential. If not, you can forever skip it.

1. Sit at desk that i only do work at

2. Read three news lists that relate to work, HN is one of them, 15 min max, use timer

3 I keep a list of small housekeeping tasks (not real housekeeping, but small digital tasks), i start by ticking off one of those

4 At end of day i write down what i need to do next, I use that as the full focus task of the next day. I don't expect to be in full flow in first hour of task

I only read email twice a day, and most of my chat channels are on mute. I check them once an hour

this has worked well, been doing this for 30+ years

I'm kind of leaning to do the same things. Eliminating distractions is vital

Phone down. Headphones on. And just chug away at it

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