Q: Dear John (no, it’s not a Dear John letter) and Sherry. I’m begging you (on bare knees in front of my laptop right now) to write a post that teaches the following: HOW… HOW, I beg you, do you find the motivation and energy to take on big projects after work?! Or even spend a whole weekend cooped up in a bathroom? I beg you, please—how do you get into the mindset to actually get things done after a long day? 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 or self-improvement blog, but your consistent get-it-done attitude seems worth sharing. Please? Pretty please? Love, love, LOVE your blog. -Anna in Sydney
A: We won’t pretend it’s easy. Carving out time for constant DIY projects is definitely a challenge. We understand what it’s like to be short on time—one of us is often tied to a computer from early morning until late evening, and the other has a full-time job downtown—so almost all of our projects happen on weeknights and weekends (and many are tackled on holidays, too). Often it comes down to deciding to postpone the fun stuff—going out to dinner or hanging with friends—in order to cross items off the to-do list.
That said, strict discipline alone isn’t sustainable long term. What keeps us going is a mix of realistic expectations, small rewards, and deliberate habits that make the work feel doable and even enjoyable. Below are three practical strategies that consistently help us maintain DIY momentum without burning out.
Strategy #1: Motivate Yourself with a Reward – We genuinely enjoy updating our home, so sometimes a night of painting or demo feels fun to us. But we know that isn’t universal. There are plenty of projects we dread, and sometimes the only way to get through them is to promise ourselves a treat afterward. Rather than dragging a task out for months and letting it hang over us, we’ll blitz through it and plan a celebration the following day—dinner out, a movie, or a small purchase that feels indulgent.
Using small accomplishment-based rewards keeps the effort balanced and gives you something concrete to look forward to. You’ll also get a genuine sense of pride when something is finished, which fuels further progress. One effective approach is to set a milestone: complete five items from your list, and you get a weekend getaway or a long-desired purchase. It’s similar to any long-term goal—training for a race, studying for exams, or saving money. The work is the same; the rewards and milestones keep you motivated.
Strategy #2: Share Your Progress with Others – We’ll be blunt: documenting and sharing our projects has been a huge motivator. When you know others are looking forward to updates—or even when you just keep a private record of progress—you’re more likely to follow through. If starting a blog sounds daunting, keep it simple: take before-and-after photos, organize them in a folder or album, and share with close friends or family. Even a private visual timeline can be powerful. Put all the “before” shots in an album with empty sleeves labeled “after.” As you fill those sleeves, you’ll see how far you’ve come, and that visible progress becomes addictive.
Sharing doesn’t have to mean public exposure. A weekly email to a supportive friend or a private photo album can create enough accountability to keep you moving. The validation and encouragement you get—plus the satisfaction of seeing tangible change—will help you tackle the next project.
Strategy #3: Get Your Mind Right – Your attitude entering a project matters more than you might think. If your internal narrative is full of negativity—“I’ll fail,” “This will be a disaster,” or “I’m so bad at this”—you’re stacking the deck against yourself. We aim to approach each task with optimism and realistic expectations. Small rituals help: play upbeat music, eat beforehand so you’re not distracted by hunger, and set aside a proper block of time to work without rushing.
One trap to avoid is underestimating how long things will take. Telling yourself “this will only take a minute” or “we can finish before dinner” can turn minor setbacks into major frustrations. Instead, block out ample time, accept that hiccups are normal, and be kind to yourself when things take longer than planned. Breaking projects into bite-sized tasks—demolition, prep, painting, finishing—also makes large projects feel manageable and prevents overwhelm.
In short: put in the time, but balance it with rewards, document your achievements, and manage your expectations. Enter projects with enthusiasm rather than dread, break big jobs into small steps, and allow yourself to celebrate milestones. That combination keeps momentum steady and makes even daunting projects feel achievable. What tricks do you use to stay motivated and keep your to-do list from taking over your life? We’d love to hear your tips and experiences.