What strategies do you recommend for maintaining long-term motivation and focus, especially for clients working on ambitious or long-term goals?

To maintain long-term motivation, I recommend breaking goals into smaller milestones and tracking progress regularly. Staying connected to the deeper "why" behind the goal helps sustain focus, especially during setbacks. Celebrating small wins, building a support system, and practicing self-care are key to avoiding burnout and staying motivated over time.

I am a visual learner, so I take that same approach with my clients.  I believe in the old-fashioned vision board exercise. Whether you do it digitally through CANVA, Venngage or Milanote it is a way to conceptualize your dreams.

Next you have to put steps to the dreams, or they will never become actual attainable goals. Break them down into bite size, digestible pieces. Then set a time limit.

I suggest using the reward method where once you reach the goal you can purchase your favorite Dooney and Burke bag.  Others like aversion therapy where the client has to write a check to their most hated charity or political party if they don't hit their goals.

First of all, I remind people that there is no such thing as 100% motivation all the time, and that's okay. One needs a plan for times when motivation simply won’t be there. This plan looks different for every person; there is no “one-size-fits-all.” During coaching sessions with me, we explore what will be uniquely your way to help yourself with motivation.

Here are some quick ideas that might help:

• Reconnect with “the why”—the importance and purpose of your project.
• Measure progress. Sometimes we feel that nothing is happening and therefore lose motivation, but when we look back, there is often objective progress, which can help regain motivation.
• Use external accountability: a coach, friends, or an interest group or app (like Stickk or Strava) that enforces external accountability.
• Create a plan, no longer than 3 months, with milestones, anticipated obstacles, and action steps. Pivot the plan every month.
• Visualize. The evening before, visualize in detail how your workday will look like.
• Ask yourself: How can I make the process fun/enjoyable? 
• Manage dopamine levels (e.g., do a dopamine detox by abstaining from stimuli like social media).
• Make sure you are sleeping well, eating properly, and exercising.

However, if you are feeling demotivated, you can also ask yourself: is the project still relevant to you? Maybe it is time to let it go. In marketing, this is called “Sunk Cost Bias,” where you continue to put money and effort into a “dead” project solely because you have already invested so much money and effort in it.

The main task that I give to my client is to work on their values. 

To identify and understand what are the true values they are living by. 

Most people struggle verbally to share their values. I'm using special questions, for that matter. 

 When you know your values, it's easier to set goals that will be connected to your authentic self. 

The days will be less filled with procrastination and more focused on practical actions. 

As a certified life coach and productivity expert, I’ve found that the real key to achieving those big, ambitious goals often lies in getting to the heart of what’s holding you back. For many clients, this involves digging a little deeper into the limiting beliefs or past experiences that might be quietly undermining their progress. Whether it's through our coaching sessions or, in some cases, additional therapy, getting to the root of the issue is essential for long-term success. And while this process can sound a bit daunting, it often moves more quickly than you'd think once we start peeling back the layers together.

From there, we dive into the more familiar strategies—finding your "why" (which is a game-changer in staying motivated), setting SMART goals, and creating an action plan. We’ll refine that plan as we go, making sure it’s a perfect fit for you. After all, every person is different, and what works for someone else might not work for you—and that’s totally okay! It’s all about tailoring the approach to fit your unique style and needs.

The journey to long-term success can feel like a lot at times, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to walk alongside you, helping to clarify your goals, work through the challenges, and celebrate your wins—big and small—along the way. It’s a process, but I promise it’s one worth investing in.