The phrase "fits and starts" seems to describe a number of my objectives at this point. Why aren't these efforts marked by a continuous stream of similar effort? Why are these objectives marked by moments of great investment and moments of no investment? Unlike areas of life where I'm driven, the areas of fits and starts are areas of lifelong challenge, lukewarm interest, and lots of difficult, uncomfortable activity. At least I have not given up altogether, and I'm still pushing myself forward in these arenas though I've experienced little success.
How can I make more progress in these worthy, but challenging arenas?
First, notice what gets in the way. One hindrance is exhaustion--if I'm tired, I don't have the energy needed to engage in life's more challenging tasks. Another hindrance is a lack of encouragement or support--I need to seek that. And because the tasks are difficult, I have to engage in more incremental tasks rather than trying to engage in over-challenging big pieces of the overall tasks.
Next, make a plan. When I have a good plan in place, I tend to stay on track more.
And when I fail, I simply have to get back up and try, try again.
