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How can I get more motivation to finish the things I start?

I often start writing a lot of things. I have a lot of unfinished passion projects that I get others involved in, but then lose motivation for and start slacking off on. It always seems like an amazing Idea until I actually have to do something. I genuinely do't want to let the people I've gotten involved down and need ways to region motivation, and fast.

Edit: The project I' working on is a small visual novel formatted series with small animations and cutscenes made by some people I have helping with the project. I write the script myself and make the episodes. The characters and stuff are all made and I have the times from the voice actors. The part I'm falling short with is the making of the actual episode.

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Derek’s Answer

Hi Avery!
One of the things that I find helps keep me motivated is to connect these ideas to a bigger picture. It sounds like you are into creative writing! That's excellent. If you have an idea, the more you flesh out the idea into a bigger picture, the more the writing writes itself. I am speaking from experience as I have written multiple books.
For example, don't just come up with an idea for a plot. Flesh out your characters on a deep level, almost as if you were getting to know them as people. Ask yourself, what kind of experiences do I want each character to have gone through in their past, and then go through in the book? How are these characters going to grow? In what ways do they interact with each other and relate to each other? What are their weaknesses and strengths? What are their personalities? Do they like to talk a lot or are they on the quieter side? What are their passions and interests and motivators? The deeper you go into asking yourself these questions, the more ideas you generate about your characters and you start to fall in love with them and the writing just starts to pour out. It becomes more and more effortless.
When it comes to the general plot, ask yourself: do I want a happy ending or a tragic ending? Which characters will grow and which characters will end up not growing and stuck in the same situations? What plot details will drive character development or lack of development? How is each character going to react to the events that happen to them?
As for the theme of your writing, ask yourself: what broader themes do I want to convey? What message do I want to impart to my readers? What can the reader learn from or relate to? How am I making this a pleasurable reading experience?
The point of all this is to ask yourself some deep questions about what you want your writing to be, and ideas will naturally start to flow. Don't be afraid to get really deep with the questions. I wish you luck and I know you will find your motivation! Some day I hope to see you on the bestseller list!
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Doug’s Answer

Hi,
The best way, as in writing, is to work on one project/story at a time and that's how I was always able to get it done. Also once you figure out what you are going to write (if it's going to involve characters - come up with the names and personalities and write them on a separate page) whether it's an article or whatever, start and don't begin another project (writing) until the one you started is finished and try and finish it as quickly as possible. I learned that after years of having fifteen different stories going and none of them get finished with more than one going on. And lastly I'm looking for a side gig writing,if you need an author to help you with writing the story,book, script copyrights or whatever, I could possibly help,but if it's going to be a lot I would like to talk about the whole situation and figure out the money part so we can do some projects and if so get ahold of me via - career village (this site)
Hopefully this helps,
Best Regards,
Mr Wilson

Doug recommends the following next steps:

1. Come up with a title
2. Will it be an article, short story, novel,ect.
3. come up with the main plot
4. Come up with the characters
5. Write an outline.
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Destiny’s Answer

Hi Avery, I can relate to how you feel about starting so many projects, but not completing them all. If you struggle with staying motivated, it could be a sign that perhaps there's too much on your plate, and you need to focus on one or two projects at a time, so you can complete them. Once you finish one project, then you can try going to the next project. (I know this is often easier said than done, though! Sometimes I do too many projects at once, too.)

Also, it's okay to not feel motivated all the time. Sometimes, we have to push past getting bored or tired of something, and still try to complete the project, especially if we involve others and we don't want to let them down. It's a good skill to learn - there are things in life we don't always feel like doing, but they must be done. If you can try your best to honor your commitment to your friends or partners in your project, you will try to complete it even if you don't always feel motivated.

I agree with Xin that reaching out to a team member or mentor to help motivate you again is a great idea! They can remind you why you started this project and what you love the most about it, and that will help you stay inspired. It's also a great idea to not dwell on guilt or disappointment if you make mistakes and slip up. It's okay to try again!

Overall, take good care of yourself, try to focus on one or two projects at a time instead of overwhelming yourself, and have a great time! I'm sure that you will achieve the outcome you want with practice and persistence.
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Rekha’s Answer

Whatever you said is always happens with the writers .My suggestion first while writing a novel you first about the theme of the novel / title of the novel on the story would be based .just make a draft .Have a pen and paper with you .then think for the Prologue of the novel,then comes the story where it took place .basic novel story ,who would play the characters in the story .the animation or the picturisation of the novel would be based on the background of the story or the characters who are playing part in the story then structure of the story ,body ,evaluation .what finally you got drawn from the novel .All these will definitely motivate you to make your novel nice
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Emma’s Answer

Hello Avery,
I am a creative writer, and I can sometimes struggle with this problem too, but I was able to devise a strategy that best fits my personality and lifestyle to help me overcome potential motivation struggles. I try to carve out at least 30 minutes every day to work on my project, and that can be related to any aspect of the project (writing, editing, proofing, reading aloud, etc) as long as it's productive. On my busier days, sometimes the 30 minutes is all I have, but if I can extend it beyond 30 minutes (if I'm not too drained or nothing else has come up), I might try and do that too. When I first began to implement this schedule, I was somewhat infrequent, but once I pushed myself to at least work for 30 minutes, at the end of the week, I would look at the project and see how much work had gotten done due to the culmination of all those little sessions and that would motivate me to do it again for another week building a very positive cycle.

You don't have to do 30 minutes exactly, but I would recommend no less than 30 minutes per day, whether that's two 15-minute sessions or something else. If you want to increase the time, that's where knowing yourself and your own schedule will come into play, as well as setting and testing your routine. Only through trial and error will you learn what works best for you. Breaking your work into smaller chunks will also help you feel more accomplished, as you can set goals to finish one task per session, which will help motivate you to keep progressing.

I hope this was helpful and good luck with the rest of your visual novel!
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Odyll’s Answer

This sounds like a great project! Setting aside some time each day to work on the project may help you get things done. You can select a small section of the episode for the amount of time you've set aside. Set a goal, what you want to get done during that time of the day. This way, you can make progress, even if slowly, towards completing the episode. I hope this is helpful. Best of luck to you!
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Michele’s Answer

What helped me when writing my middle grade novel was being part of a small writer's group. I met with two writers once a week online to share and discuss our works-in-progress. We shared constructive criticism. Knowing I had two people depending on me made me stick to a schedule. I didn't want to show up empty-handed.
I'm a morning person,; That's when I write best.
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Juanita’s Answer

Hi Avery

Motivation can be tricky and I struggle with it myself as well. What I have found works is try to break down your workday into sections. Try to just work on unfinished projects for an hour or two every day and then move on to the following thing. I have about 5 unfinished projects that I still need to edit, so I can get them published, but I have decided to break them down and work on them every day for an hour or two.

Try this and let me know if it works.
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Mike’s Answer

Each night before bed, jot down what you aim to achieve the next day.

For example, I make sure to read at least one chapter of a book and complete a section of a training course.

Set goals like these or begin with just 15 minutes a day on something, then gradually increase the time.

P.S. You're not alone in this struggle!
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PRIYANKA’s Answer

Hey Avery,

First, I want to say that it’s normal to lose steam once the initial excitement of an idea wears off and the real work begins. You’re not alone in this.

It sounds like you’ve already built something special:
You’ve got your characters, script, voice actors, and a clear vision. That’s huge. The gap now isn’t ability—it’s momentum.

Try this: break things down into smaller wins. “Finish the episode” is big. But “edit first 30 seconds” is doable. Set super small goals and share updates with your team or write daily records, even rough drafts. That little bit of accountability can help.

Also, give yourself space to fall back in love with the project. Watch a scene you wrote, listen to a voice clip—remind yourself why you started.
Thank you comment icon Adding to this, give yourself some prizes for these smaller wins! Maybe if you edit the first 30 seconds you can get something you've been interested in. I'm not a visual novelist, but for me, I get character art commissions when I reach my milestones! Also, feel free to do something silly to get yourself to fall back in love with the project. The number of fun Spotify playlists I have is overwhelming, but they help me get back in the mood when I go on walks or do household chores. Catherine Kopf
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Aparna’s Answer

Hey Avery! It's fantastic that you have interests and are brave enough to work on them. Many people don't even take that first step, but you have, and that's a big win! You're right, showing up can be tough. Remember, it's okay not to feel motivated every day. What's important is building a habit. Try setting aside just 30 minutes each day to brainstorm and think about why your projects matter to you. Knowing your "why" can really help you stay committed. It sounds like you're passionate, and once you focus on this, being consistent will get easier. Keep going, and you'll see everything start to fall into place!
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Tom’s Answer

Hi Avery. Welcome to the world of writing, and working, for that matter. Staying motivated and on schedule is a challenge. So, how do I suggest you break through on projects that have stalled? Here are some tips that work for me.

1. Start with something small. If you are stuck on some content, use the read-aloud function of your word processor to listen to the flow, cadence, and tone of the content. If you hear something you don't like, jump in and fix it. It can help you get back into writing.
2. Avoid overcommitting, especially to clients. Deadlines are inviolate in my book, and I rarely miss them, even if I have to work all night. If meeting the deadline is unavoidable, give your client as much notice as possible and provide your new proposed date.
3. Take short breaks if you get stuck and start to lose interest and motivation.
4. Write a short bit of content on something you are genuinely passionate about. A couple of paragraphs should be enough to get the creative mindset going.

Staying motivated is a real challenge. I hope these tips may help you in the same way they have helped me.
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Paige’s Answer

Hi Avery!

Create strategies for regaining and sustaining motivation in creative projects. The difficulty of maintaining motivation throughout long-term creative projects, especially when working collaboratively, is often rooted in a misalignment between intrinsic motivation and the demands of sustained execution. Your experience echoes what researchers in psychology and behavioral science refer to as the "intention-behavior gap" (Gollwitzer, 1999), where strong initial intentions fail to translate into completed actions.
You have to understand a motivation curve. Motivation in creative endeavors tends to follow a predictable pattern. At the outset, the novelty and possibilities of a project activate the brain’s reward systems, creating an initial surge of enthusiasm (Keller, 2008). However, once the idea moves into the execution phase—especially the repetitive or technical work—motivation often dips. This is especially true in tasks that lack immediate feedback or visible progress, which are critical for sustaining engagement (Amabile, 1996). Break your project into smaller, highly specific milestones that produce tangible outcomes—e.g., "Finish scene 1 with basic animation" instead of "Work on episode." Completion of these micro-goals provides dopamine-driven feedback and re-engages your brain's reward circuitry.
I'd suggest setting up fixed weekly check-ins or “release windows” with your collaborators—even if it’s just to share a draft or storyboard. The anticipation of presenting your progress to others can be a powerful motivator. Tools like Trello or Notion can also help you visualize task flow and keep everyone aligned.
Your motivation challenge is not a personal failing but a structural issue common in long-term, creative collaborative projects. By implementing psychological strategies—such as goal chunking, structured accountability, intrinsic reconnection, and environmental triggers—you can realign your intention with action. Most importantly, remember that creativity is not just about inspiration but also about systems, habits, and self-compassion during the less glamorous parts of the process.
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Sara’s Answer

Starting a new project can be exciting, but it's easy to lose momentum when the work gets tough, especially with creative projects that need ongoing effort. I've faced this too and learned that discipline, not just motivation, is key to finishing tasks.

Motivation can fade, but discipline helps you complete projects. When I find it hard to finish, I treat projects as commitments. Here's what helps me:

1. Set Deadlines: Give yourself deadlines for each step, even for personal projects. Sharing these deadlines with others can add accountability.

2. Break Down Tasks: Big projects can be daunting. Split them into smaller tasks like "finish scene 1 script" or "edit voice lines." Focus on one task at a time.

3. Reward Yourself: Set up a reward system. If you work on the project for a set time each day for a week, treat yourself to something you enjoy.

4. Build a Routine: Make working on the project a daily habit, even if it's just 20-30 minutes. Consistency is more effective than long work sessions.

5. Communicate with Your Team: If you're working with others, be open about your timeline and challenges. Transparency can ease pressure.

Discipline strengthens with practice. While motivation starts your journey, discipline helps you finish and meet your commitments. You've already started and gathered a team. Now, focus on building habits to see it through. Good luck—you can do this!
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Faraz’s Answer

Hi Avery! This is a very common struggle and most people face it, including myself. What I've found helpful is understanding the bigger why behind what led me to pick up the project. Being clear on that before you start is a big indicator of if you'll be able to keep going. However, even with this why it's not uncommon to take a pause in the project. In those pauses, this why can be good to reflect on and can help you keep going. I'd also say that don't afraid to be honest with yourself, sometimes our motivations change or evolve over time and it's ok to walk away if it's not filling the purpose you intended. A few years back I started a project with some of my friends that we'd hoped to turn into a real business, while we had a strong why, we realized it wasn't how we expected it to be, so we never went through with it. Some of them still kept going but some of us walked away and that is totally ok.
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SIBUSISO’s Answer

Hello. I hope you're well.

I've also had the habit of starting, but never finishing anything since a young age. What I did was discipline myself to finish tasks, any task. For example, I would give myself the task of reading 1 page of a book a day. I did it until it became second nature. Once you get used to finishing small tasks, then you move to the challenging ones. The key is to start small.

When you're thinking of your tasks, think about the journey you are undertaking, not the end goal because it seems so far away, hence it creates procrastination.

One small step a day is better than trying to do a lot and then it overwhelms you and you then give up. Think of it this way, it took years for you to get to where you are today. You were first an infant, then a year old, then 2 years old then 3 years and so on, and so on. You didn't rush through your life. If you were to treat all your tasks, projects, goals and dreams this way, you'll find yourself achieving all that you set out to achieve.

Another important question to ask - Why are you starting these projects? Once you find the answer to that, maybe you can find the motivation to finish the projects. Is it just a hobby? Are you passionate about it? Do these projects have a purpose? I think if you can find the meaning behind the projects and why you start those projects, you will find your answer/motivation.
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Xin’s Answer

Hi Avery,
Good Day!

It’s great that you recognize this pattern and want to change it! Losing motivation after the initial excitement fades is a common struggle, but there are ways to reignite your drive and follow through.
Celebrate small wins (e.g., "After I finish this section, I’ll watch an episode of my favorite show"). Positive reinforcement trains your brain to associate work with satisfaction.
If you’re avoiding work because you’re stuck, reach out to your team or a mentor for input. Often, a small nudge can unblock you. If you’ve slacked off, don’t dwell on guilt. Instead, say, "I’m starting again now," and take one small action immediately.

Wishing you all the best!
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