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Ashik Hameed

Best tips for staying motivated and productive as a startup founder?

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Starting a startup is tough and keeping the grind going can be even tougher. How do u stay pumped and productive? Any hacks, tricks, or just good ol’ advice that keeps u going? Here's my top 5 tips: 1. Break Tasks Into Small Chunks: Makes big tasks less overwhelming. Set Clear Goals: Knowing what you're working towards keeps you focused. 2. Take Breaks & Meditate: Short breaks can boost productivity. Helps manage stress and maintain focus. Also, rest is crucial for maintaining productivity. 3. Exercise & Stay Connected: This keeps the mind and body sharp. Network with other founders for support and ideas. 4. Celebrate Small Wins: Keeps you motivated along the journey. 5. Stay Flexible: Be ready to pivot if something isn’t working. Share ur tips and let’s help each other!

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JaredL
I mainly write code myself, while also doing some marketing work, which helps to relax my brain. In addition, when I am very tired, I will practice a set of Eight Pieces of Brocade, which can restore about half of my vitality in around 10 minutes. This is a form of Chinese Taoist health exercise. And the biggest motivation for me comes from user growth and payments, which gives me continuous drive. 😉
Ashik Hameed
@jaredl Thanks for sharing, Jared! It's awesome that you balance coding with marketing to give your brain a break. The Eight Pieces of Brocade sounds fascinating—I'll have to give it a try for a quick energy boost. Did you learn it from somewhere? @jaredl
JaredL
@ashikhameed or this one:
Zayan Riyaz
Great tips @ashikhameed! here are a few more to add from my side, 1. Morning Routine: Start your day with a consistent routine to set a productive tone. 2. Time Blocking: Allocate specific times for different tasks to stay focused. 3. Declutter Workspace: A tidy workspace can help clear your mind. 4. Listen to Podcasts/Audiobooks: Inspiring content can keep you motivated during downtimes. 5. Accountability Partner: Having someone to check in with can keep you on track. These are some habits I learnt and started to get its benefits lately.
Ashik Hameed
@zayan_riyaz Thanks for the great adds! I totally agree. I've also seen the transformation that morning routines and listening to podcasts can bring. Appreciate your insights and sharing these habits! 😃
CY Zhou
As a startup founder, it's crucial to set clear, achievable goals and celebrate small wins along the way. Additionally, surrounding yourself with a supportive network can provide the encouragement and accountability needed to stay motivated and productive.
Saheer Khan
Great post! Breaking tasks into smaller chunks and setting clear goals really do make a difference in managing the workload. Taking breaks and meditating can definitely help keep the stress levels down and maintain focus. Exercise is a game-changer for both physical and mental health. Staying connected with other founders can provide invaluable support and fresh ideas, and productivity apps like Trello and Notion are fantastic for staying organized. Celebrating small wins and staying flexible are key to keeping motivated and adapting to new challenges. Thanks for sharing these valuable tips! 🚀
Igor Gusarov
I like switching context. From dev to marketing to sales to design to finance. It helps to not get stuck.
Ashik Hameed
@igorgusarov Wow, I do the same! It’s always that situations take your focus to another department just when you need it most. Keeps things dynamic and helps you stay versatile. 😅
Richard Reis
I think that motivation comes from things going well. Basically when things are going well, I'm motivated and can work 24hrs a day. And when they're not, I'm not and don't want to work. Knowing that helps. Because when I feel unmotivated I naturally ask "ok... what's not going well?" and then go fix that. The lack of motivation is a sign you need to fix something.
Ashik Hameed
I completely agree, @richardreeze . Motivation definitely fluctuates with how things are going. It's insightful to view a lack of motivation as a sign that something needs fixing. Identifying and addressing those issues can help get things back on track. Thanks for sharing this perspective!
Alex Kayahan
The more we "expect" from ourselves, the more we lose our resilience. One thing worked good for me was to lowering my expectations.
Ashik Hameed
@alex_kayahan That's a great point. Lowering expectations can definitely help maintain resilience and reduce stress. It's important to be kind to ourselves and recognize that progress is still progress, no matter how small. Thanks for sharing!
Liu Alex
All the tips are great! But the thing can finally make founders consist, is a good result.
Ashik Hameed
@liu_alex1 I agree, good results can definitely boost consistency and motivation for founders. However, it's also important to maintain resilience and keep pushing forward even when results aren't immediate. Balancing expectations and celebrating small wins along the way can keep the momentum going.
Abhra Chakraborty
@ashikhameed, these are fantastic tips! 😃 Breaking tasks into smaller chunks always helps me stay on track too. I’d add the importance of maintaining a consistent routine. Having set times for work, exercise, and relaxation can make a huge difference. Also, keeping a journal to track progress and reflect on what’s working and what’s not can be incredibly motivating. What do you think? 😄🚀
Ashik Hameed
@abhra_ch Thanks! I completely agree, maintaining a consistent routine is crucial. Having set times for work, exercise, and relaxation helps create balance. Keeping a journal to track progress and reflect sounds like a great idea. How has journaling helped you stay motivated and on track?
Abhra Chakraborty
@ashikhameed It helps me stay organized Ashik, reflect on my goals, and see my progress over time. It's a great way to stay motivated, atleast for me 😅 and keep track of what works and what needs adjustment. 😊
Jayesh Gohel
Hey @ashikhameed Being a startup founder is awesome, but it can also be tough. Here's how to stay pumped and keep moving forward: Know Your Why: Why are you doing this? What problem are you fixing? Figuring this out keeps you going when things get tricky. Set Goals & Celebrate Wins: Make small, achievable goals that you can track. Then, pat yourself on the back for hitting them! Big or small, every win counts. Take Care of Yourself: Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and don't forget to take breaks! You can't build something amazing if you're burnt out. Find Your Crew: Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you. Talk to mentors, other founders, or anyone who gets what you're doing. Keep Learning: Things change fast! Read up on your industry, learn new skills, and be open to changing your plans if needed. Get Help: You don't have to do everything yourself. Hire people who are good at things you're not, so you can focus on what you do best. Track Your Progress: See how far you've come! This will help you stay motivated and adjust your plans as you go. Remember, being a founder is a marathon, not a sprint. By taking care of yourself, setting goals, and finding the right people to be on your team, you can stay motivated and make your startup dreams a reality!
Ashik Hameed
@jpgohil93 These are some great tips! How do you personally stay motivated and manage stress as a startup founder?
Azhar Naseeh Karuthedath
The 5th one is my top
Tomáš Blaťák
4. is really important
Marie-Philippe Leblanc
Great post! I agree with all you said!
Jonah Muye
The Hustle is Real, But Self-Care Matters Too! Staying motivated as a founder is crucial, but prioritizing self-care is equally important. Balance is key! Schedule breaks, delegate tasks, and find healthy ways to manage stress. A burnt-out founder isn't productive.
Ashik Hameed
Absolutely! Balancing hustle with self-care is essential. What is some of your favorite self-care practices to help manage stress and stay productive? @jonahmuye
Hossein Yazdi
The tips you've mentioned are all right and helpful, though it's still a challenging thing for a solo founder. I would also add setting a timer and time limit for each task, this can also add to motivating you!
Ashik Hameed
@hosseinyazdi Absolutely, setting a timer and time limit for each task is a great addition! It helps maintain focus and keeps you moving forward.
M Sulaiman
Hey Ashik, thanks for sharing your tips! Staying motivated as a startup founder can indeed be challenging. Here are some of my tips: Create a Routine: Start your day with a set routine. It helps set the tone for productivity. Set Clear Priorities: Focus on the most important tasks first and don’t get bogged down by less critical ones. Stay Healthy: A good diet and enough sleep can make a huge difference in your productivity. Limit Distractions: Identify what typically distracts you and find ways to minimize them. Stay Inspired: Regularly remind yourself why you started and the impact you want to make. PS: We're excited to announce that we're launching SEOPro: SEO Products Optimizer soon. Would appreciate your support!
Ashik Hameed
@b2bsulaiman Hey, thanks for sharing these great tips! Creating a routine and setting clear priorities are definitely key. I'll keep an eye out for SEOPro and give it my support. Best of luck with the launch man! 🚀
Masaki Nakata
Great post. I feel exactly the same way, and my productivity has been dropping due to watching YouTube at night. That’s why I created this app. https://www.producthunt.com/post... Also, this isn’t my service, but using an app called Endel together with it can boost your focus. However, the most important things are running three times a week and getting enough sleep.
Vaibhav
Great list. I am working on the 4th point because you get used to them at a point.
Ray Dhillon
Additionally I would like to add. Productivity comes from having a greater purpose. If you genuinely believe in the product you are building, being productive will be a lot easier :)
Ashik Hameed
@ray_growk Absolutely agree! Having a greater purpose and believing in the product you're building can significantly boost productivity. Thanks for sharing this insightful reminder!
Nigel Engel
Just know that you will die one day- and when you do what are you leaving your family? A profitable business generating income is the best thing to give them