How to Keep Going When Your Project Gets Tough

Learn simple strategies to stay motivated and finish your projects when you hit a frustrating roadblock. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Take a real break. When you feel stuck, stop what you are doing. Set a timer for 10 minutes and walk away from your project. Drink some water, stretch your legs, or look out a window to give your brain a chance to cool down.
2. Break it into tiny pieces. Look at the whole project and ask yourself what the smallest possible step is. Instead of 'finish the model,' try 'find the next three pieces.' Making the goal smaller makes it much easier to start again.
3. Ask for a fresh perspective. Sometimes you are too close to the problem to see the solution. Ask a grown-up or a friend to look at what you have done so far. Don't ask them to do it for you, just ask if they see a different way to approach the next step.
4. Celebrate the progress you already made. Look at what is finished. It is easy to focus on what is broken or hard, but acknowledging what you have already built helps remind your brain that you are capable of doing the work.