Admin Well-being How to keep going?

[joelr]

One of the great things about being a forum webmaster is the rapid feedback loop. You put something out there, and if you’re lucky, you get some kind of response pretty quickly. But when you’re just starting out, it can be crickets. No likes, no comments, no shares. It’s easy to think that your hard work isn’t making a difference.

Progress can be so slight and gradual that it feels like nothing is happening at all if you only look at it over short periods of time. This reminds me of a quote from James Clear:

“Complaining about not achieving success despite working hard is like complaining about an ice cube not melting when you heated it from twenty-five to thirty-one degrees. Your work was not wasted; it is just being stored. All the action happens at thirty-two degrees.”

Much of a forum webmaster's journey is like this. Tiny, almost imperceptible progress compounds over time, but it requires a bit of faith to believe that progress is happening when you can’t see it.

So, how do you keep going when it feels like you’re not actually getting anywhere? Here are a few tips that might help:

1. Track Small Wins: Keep a journal or a log of all the little wins you achieve. It could be as simple as a positive comment, a small increase in followers, or even just finishing a project. These small victories add up and can be incredibly motivating.
2. Set Micro Goals: Break down your big goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Completing these smaller tasks can give you a sense of accomplishment and help you see the progress you’re making.
3. Seek Feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback, even if it’s from a small circle of friends or colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you improve, and positive feedback can boost your morale.
4. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key. Keep showing up, keep creating, and keep putting your work out there. Over time, your audience will grow, and your progress will become more visible.
5. Celebrate Progress: Take time to celebrate your progress, no matter how small it might seem. Recognizing your achievements can keep you motivated and remind you that you’re moving forward.

How do you keep yourself motivated when progress feels slow?

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Your tips are spot on. I especially like micro goals and small wins.

Too many people want immediate success overnight. That's not going to happen. Success might take while, even years.

And that's my tip...

Go into it knowing the environment you're getting involved in. Understand that it takes time to make things happen. It could take years before you see true results. You might have years of debt (even if the debt is small) before you start to profit.

When you understand the environment that you're entering before you enter it, life gets a lot easier in that sense.

Preparedness is the best way to deal with, ANYTHING.

 

[Darth Cognus]

Preparedness, and opportunism. Always watch for an opportunity to introduce yourself or embrace a tech or event that benefits everyone involved. Passively hoping for growth even with micro goals is not how you 'seize the day'. It's a matter of reaching the right people at the right time. If nothing else you should make yourself relevant in the circles you are trying to reach, then at least you will be in the right circles and maybe enjoy that aspect of community building.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Preparedness, and opportunism. Always watch for an opportunity to introduce yourself or embrace a tech or event that benefits everyone involved. Passively hoping for growth even with micro goals is not how you 'seize the day'. It's a matter of reaching the right people at the right time. If nothing else you should make yourself relevant in the circles you are trying to reach, then at least you will be in the right circles and maybe enjoy that aspect of community building.

Totally agree.

Help solve the biggest needs and wants of your audience and do it everywhere you can, even off your community.