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 mind-set 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. Fitting DIY around full-time work and other commitments takes effort and planning. John works full time downtown and I’m often at the computer from early morning into the evening, so most of our projects happen on weeknights, weekends and holidays. Sometimes it simply means sacrificing going out or social plans so we can knock things off our list.
That said, extreme willpower alone doesn’t sustain us forever. We rely on a few practical strategies that keep our momentum steady and make tackling projects feel doable rather than overwhelming. Here are three approaches that help us stay motivated and productive.
Strategy #1: Motivate Yourself With a Reward – We love updating our home, so some projects feel fun to us, but not everyone enjoys demo or painting. When a task feels daunting we promise ourselves a reward once it’s finished. That might be a night out to celebrate, a weekend getaway after crossing a few items off the list, or finally buying that pretty print you’ve been eyeing.
Using small rewards keeps the process balanced and gives you something tangible to look forward to. The pride you feel after finishing a project becomes its own motivation for the next one—once one room is painted, starting the next feels easier. Think of it like training for a goal: a clear reward can help you push through the work required to get there.
Strategy #2: Share Your Progress With Others – Sometimes accountability and feedback are powerful motivators. For us, blogging provided an incentive to do more and share results with readers who were excited to see before-and-afters. You don’t have to start a blog to reap the benefits—create a simple photo album, share weekly progress with friends and family, or keep a private album where you add “after” photos over time.
Documenting the transformation—especially with before-and-after pictures—makes progress obvious. As you slowly fill in the “after” slots, you’ll see how far you’ve come. That visual record can be energizing and addictive, in a good way. Even private documentation can turn slow progress into a long-term motivator.
Strategy #3: Get Your Mind Right – Mindset matters. If you start a project convinced it will be a disaster or that you’re bad at this stuff, you’re likely to get frustrated and give up. We aim to approach work with a positive, realistic outlook: put on music, make sure you’re not hungry, and set aside a solid block of time so you’re not rushing.
Avoid unrealistic expectations like “this will only take a minute” or “we’ll finish before dinner.” Those assumptions increase stress and make small delays feel catastrophic. Instead, give yourself permission to take the time the job requires, break larger tasks into bite-sized steps, and tackle one room or one task at a time. That way projects feel manageable rather than intimidating, and you’re less likely to dread picking up the tools again.
In short: invest the time, but plan rewards and document progress so the effort feels worthwhile. Keep expectations realistic, cultivate a positive mindset, and break projects into manageable tasks. Those habits keep momentum strong and make steady progress possible without burning out. What strategies have worked for you to stay motivated and keep a to-do list from taking over your life? Share your tips—we’d love to hear them.