Q: Dear John (no, it’s not a Dear John letter) and Sherry. I’m begging you (on bare knees in front of laptop now) to write a post that teaches the following: HOW… HOW, I beg you, do you find the motivation and… ENERGY to take on such things after work?! Or even a whole weekend cooped up in a bathroom? I BEG you, please, how do you get that mindset to get things done?! And after work! It’s incomprehensible to me but I would love to be that person. If you bottle it, I’m buying ten. I know this isn’t a motivational/self-improvement blog but I think your attitude to get things done so consistently does have a place. Please? Purty please? Luv luv LUV your blog. -Anna in Sydney
A: We won’t pretend it’s easy. Finding time and energy for constant DIY projects is a real challenge. Both of us juggle full workdays—often tethered to computers from morning until evening—so most projects happen on weeknights, weekends, and the occasional holiday. That often means sacrificing social plans or a relaxed evening out to carve out focused blocks of time to make real progress.
Still, we’ve learned ways to keep momentum going without burning out. Below are three practical strategies that help us stay motivated, manage energy, and actually finish projects instead of letting them linger forever.
Strategy #1: Motivate Yourself With a Reward – We genuinely enjoy home projects, but we’re not immune to procrastination or dread. One thing that consistently works is pairing work with a reward. Promise yourself a fun treat once a task is done—dinner out, a small purchase you’ve wanted, or a weekend away after completing several items. These little incentives make the work feel worthwhile and turn finishing tasks into moments to celebrate, not chores to dread.
Small, immediate rewards also keep you going. Instead of letting a project drag on for months, set a finish point and plan something enjoyable right afterward. The sense of accomplishment is powerful: once you complete one room or task, you’ll be more likely to tackle the next. Think of it as positive reinforcement that trains your brain to associate hard work with pleasure.
Strategy #2: Share Your Home Adventures With Others – Accountability and visible progress are huge motivators. We found that sharing updates—whether via a blog, social media, or a simple photo album—encourages us to do more. Knowing that friends, family, or readers are excited to see results inspires follow-through.
If starting a blog sounds like too much, keep it simple: create a private photo album with before-and-after images, or share weekly progress updates with a few close friends. Even documenting projects just for yourself can be motivating. Save “before” photos in an album with a blank slot for the “after.” Over time that visual record becomes a powerful reminder of how far you’ve come and fuels the desire to keep improving your space.
Strategy #3: Get Your Mind Right – Your attitude before you start matters. If your internal dialogue is full of negativity—“This will be a disaster” or “I’m terrible at this”—you’re setting yourself up for stress and disappointment. Instead, approach projects with optimism and realistic expectations.
Little rituals help: put on music, eat a satisfying meal, and clear a reasonable block of time to work without rushing. Avoid underestimating tasks with thoughts like “this will only take a minute” or “we’ll finish before dinner.” Those unrealistic expectations create pressure and exaggerate small setbacks. Plan for a generous amount of time and accept that hiccups happen. Keeping a positive, patient mindset makes the work more enjoyable and far more productive.
In short: finishing projects takes time, but it helps to reward yourself, document your progress, and enter each task with a positive, realistic mindset. Break large projects into manageable, bite-sized tasks to make them less intimidating. Tackle one room or one part of a project at a time, and celebrate the wins along the way. Those strategies will keep momentum steady without pushing you into burnout.
Psst—If you want to make home improvements more manageable, consider decorating in stages and focusing on upgrades that deliver a big impact with minimal effort and cost. Breaking projects into phases and prioritizing high-impact changes can help you stay motivated and see progress quickly.