What are the best ways to stay motivated when working on a challenging Podcasting project?

Set clear objectives for each episode or segment, making the overall project less overwhelming. Create a realistic timeline to avoid burnout and celebrate small achievements along the way. Stay connected with your passion for the subject matter, reminding yourself why you started the podcast in the first place. Incorporate variety into your work routine to keep things fresh, and consider collaborating with others to share the workload and ideas. Seek feedback from your audience or peers to stay motivated by the impact your podcast is making. Lastly, take breaks when needed and practice self-care to maintain a healthy mindset throughout the project.

One major reason people lose motivation is setting goals that are either too vague, overly ambitious, or too strict. Instead of chasing after unrealistic perfection, try setting clear and achievable goals for your podcast. For instance, rather than saying "I want to create a great podcast," specify "I want to record and edit a 20-minute episode on topic X by next week." This approach helps you break down your project into smaller tasks, monitor your progress, and celebrate your accomplishments along the way.

It never fails that you run into a tough podcast. Maybe the guest wasn't great or you know the audio edit will be a heavy lift. Regardless of the reality in front of you, I completely agree that setting realistic goals can help move the ball forward. When dreading a task, I often set a 20 or 30 minute timer. Typically when that timer goes off I see that the work hasn't been that bad, and I'm much further along than NOT starting.

Don't expect to be top of the charts in the first month! It took us 2 years to be announced as one of the top 5% most shared podcasts in the world. 2 years of not knowing how it will work out, 2 years of all of the funds coming out of our pockets! We knew that it would be worth it in the long run and it most definitely was 👌

Stay laser focused on the "why" of the podcast and fall in love with the content creation and how it will benefit the listeners. Issues/challenges are inevitable but the more hyperfocused you are on why you started you put your attention into the input and don't get consumed with having perfect outputs but those that you know are still producing value.

Remembering your podcasting purpose, vision, and message is like the compass guiding you toward your destination. Your why is the force that keeps you motivated and focused when things get tough. Reflect on who you're serving, inspiring, or entertaining with your show. Align your content with your values, interests, and passions. Let your why be your filter for deciding on relevant and meaningful topics, formats, or guests. It'll help you stay on track and stay excited about podcasting!

Soy de aquellas personas que encuentra propósito en cada acción que emprende, y mi podcast no es la excepción. Antes de idear un nuevo episodio o temporada, siempre establezco en mi mente, en mi corazón y en papel el propósito, el porqué lo estoy haciendo y para quién. Cuando el propósito es claro y no lo pierdo de vista (porque lo llevo en el corazón y lo tengo escrito en mis notas), no puedo perder el entusiasmo, ni siquiera ante los problemas técnicos que suelen surgir. Saber que hay alguien al otro lado del dispositivo, escuchando y necesitando lo que tengo para compartir, me llena de ilusión. Es un gran combustible que nos impulsa tener esto presente. Voces con propósito, es el gran porqué y un motivador extraordinario.

With a good enough why you can withstand any how. Start with your why. What is your reason for podcasting? Are you aiming to impact lives? Are you trying to change the world? Are you aiming for your company to become a thought leader? All of these goals take time to achieve, have patience!

In my experience remembering your why will ALWAYS help. When we're speaking about "motivation", we're talking about emotional energy right? Going back to that "why" behind the podcast or the project, will recalibrate your emotional energy, and often leave you in a much better mood as an added bonus!

Also referencing my comment above, if you don't have a "why" then the hard days become to difficult and you end up giving up. I tried to start a pants company in 2018 & gave-up once I had to start doing the hard stuff

Podcasting can feel a bit like being stranded on a podcasting island if you’re sailing solo. But don’t forget, there’s a vast ocean of support out there! Reach out to your listeners, peers, mentors, or friends for honest feedback, suggestions, or questions. And don’t be afraid to seek out other podcasters—online or off. Joining communities, groups, or networks gives you the opportunity to share your podcasting experiences, both the ups and the downs.

There's a very important reason that human's evolved to value communities - they provide support. I love doing challenging things, but always look for others to join & create mutual support systems. The same is for podcasting - find others who are building too. Talk to them, vent to them, etc. It will help, I promise

The most important thing to do is to seek community, if you can find, or build a good community, you will get the feedback and support that you need. This is not just to do with people who podcast, this is also groups of people who are interested in the topic of your podcast. Getting involved in a community like this is beneficial because it gives you a head start that most won't have.

Injecting variety into your podcasting routine can be a powerful motivator and keep your content fresh. Experimenting with new subjects, formats, or episode styles can reignite your enthusiasm and captivate your audience. Additionally, exploring different tools or platforms for production and promotion can enhance your workflow and expand your reach. Collaborating with diverse guests or fellow podcasters introduces unique viewpoints and enriches your show. Embracing these changes revitalizes your podcast and maintains its appeal for your listeners.

This doesn't just go for podcasting, but for almost any type of work - changing the environment can have a huge impact on productivity. Once a quarter I like to change my work setting (i.e move things around; pick a new desk; etc.) It refreshes the mind

What's rewarded gets repeated. Reward yourself for taking action on the necessary inputs, eg completing a season, recording 10 podcasts, hitting 100, 1000, 10000, 100000 listens. Podcasting is a Long Term Game! So reward yourself along the journey, you'll see that it's a game worth playing!

Celebrating your podcasting victories—big and small—is a fantastic way to boost your morale, confidence, and overall satisfaction with your project. Whether it’s treating yourself to a break, a treat, or even just patting yourself on the back, these little rewards can go a long way in keeping you motivated and focused on your goals. Give yourself a well-deserved break for all the hard work and dedication that you put into your podcast!

I used to find this silly, but I now understand why it's so important. I hate traditional "Rewards", but now, when I've completed a big task, I "reward" myself by going for a walk & putting down work for 20 mins. It helps me "hit refresh" for my brain & get ready to focus on the next task

I think another tactic is to take a breather, regroup, and then come back to tackle the task at hand. A project can become overwhelming, but taking a minute to clear my thoughts and breathe goes a long way because it causes me to be refreshed and ready to finish what I need to do with fresh ideas.

The act of recording and editing can be its own reward - from having great conversations to refining your skills/ craft, podcasting can be its own reward. While it can be challenging, finding joy in the work is the key to consistency. Know why you're doing it, what you expect to get out of it and find ways to enjoy the process.

Remember to ask for help! Sometimes that's asking a friend or colleague to take a fresh look at a problem you've been buried under. Sometimes that means hiring some help.