sure, but he made a video, so he did do something today it's like the dumb smiling thing, where if you force yourself to smile it does actually cheer you up after a bit, despite how stupid that is, maybe because of how stupid it is
As an ADHD'er myself, seeing these sorts of videos (from people who aren't trying to sell me something, that aren't some productivity guru, and are genuine about their own productivity and motivation struggles) are so helpful and remind me that I'm not alone in the mental crap I have to deal with on a daily basis. This vid was awesome, thanks man. :)
Its better to think you are alone. Then your life is your responsibility. Obtain the habit of thinking that way. If you want anything to happen, its your responsibility. Dont rely on such videos, you have the capacity to remind yourself and you can obtain the habit of that too The more of these habits you obtain, the less stoppable you become
Okay, I am going to go to bed, cause its almost 12 PM here. Last youtube video for now. I got a exam in 36 hours and I need to do some exercises. I will not come back to youtube until the test. Had a pretty fruitless evening, just scrolling around in my notes and not getting much into the brain, and that's why I decided to come to youtube to get a break (which lasted one hour) Just throw interesting videos into watch later, don't go click click click
Honestly, and ironically, seeing BPS not being able to spell the word "exercise" was probably the best motivation that I've gotten all month. *starts chanting* One of us, One of us, One of us!
Someone running a 10 min mile telling me how good running feels afterward hits way more than the guy running half marathons for breakfast or a PE teacher trying to convince me he gets high from his own endorphin.
After watching literally probably hundreds of hours of self help content, this is by far in the top 10 for people with ADHD and doesn't sell bullshit ideas
My god, I needed these last two videos. The burnout was real this past semester. I basically just quit the last month and ended up failing a class and barely passing the others. The last video helped me tackle a project I have been wanting to do all year over this holiday break. While I am not super stoked to start a new semester after having done so poorly, Joey B's last advice worked pretty well.... so here's to actually maintaining motivation this next semester!
Dude, thanks for being so honest! It’s kind of nice to know that someone seemingly more successful than me also scrolls social media for an hour before getting up and sometime ends up on the couch playing for 15h.
@12:38 "When I'm in a messy space, everything feels bad, but it feels bad in ways that are hard to articulate and tie back to why they feel bad" this is just....thoughts from my head I didn't know I had put into words I didn't know existed.
amazing tip (at least for me) execiszing outside makes more happy chemicals in my brain light up, maybe it does for you too, cuz that treadmill is the most boring shit ever invented
Mmos are bad, theyre the ones that suck your motivation by giving you cheap thrills. Oh look a monster conventiently loaded with money I can kill. Im now richer! yay Only if life were this easy. Its the same rreason why drug addicts do drugs, its easier then life, make you feel good right away but then you stop persuing real happiness, and have nothing in the end. I can honestly say I cant reflect on any of my buzzes/ games sessions and have feel the same way i did when i was there, but when i think of real happiness, like achieving something , overcoming something, i get buzzed all over again. Thats real happiness you can only find by doing real life not a game designed to waste your time for money in the end. Except that one time I got to droknars Forge, solo without henchman in low gear armor to craft my max gear in Guild Wars. Almost quit a few times and left the game to come back thinking i closed it and had a split second to get past the mob that was spawn killing me and just made it... great times.
Exercise is hard to come by when you're 75 years old and the body is just not cooperating. The brain is still all there, and I've been working on a project (a truly unique form of 3D printer) that I hope will form the basis of a start-up company, but getting the necessary momentum every morning is damn difficult. Sometimes I only actually get going much later in the day. And I must tell you that watching your videos and similar ones by you Xyla, Sabine, and others do help to get me motivated. So, thank you.
For what it's worth, my great grandmother lived past 100 and her exercise routine was 10 laps around the kitchen table every day and mowing her own lawn every week well into her late 90s. You just gotta do what you can and stay active somehow!
Just keep moving and keep your core up. That's the one thing I see i common with all the "fit" older people I know. My neighbor is a few years older than you and do more than 50yo on the street.
dude I just want to say how much I enjoy the little bits that you keep up across your videos, during simplex the blue tape and currently the various mic stands/holders, not stuff a random person watching would be able to appreciate but that the community does and I really dig it!
@@Taygeteathe question is do I do the laundry first and then shower to have nice (nice in a computer science nerd term has the meaning of comfort) clothing. Or to shower first, cloth with something not that nice from the bottom of the storage. But with the benefit that the stuff worn pre shower will also be part of doing the laundry so it is more time till the next time doing laundry has to be. I usually need at least a day to decide.
@technikchaot for me i think its the stuff that inevitably gets on the floor around my bed just outside the bathroom. when im in this bad a funk im hiding in bed almost all the time anyway, and so questionable sheets and floor gunk on wet feet and half-clean clothes are what i have to look forward to after a shower. and if i have the energy to do one of: replace the sheets, consolidate clothes from floor to basket, wash a basket of clothes, sweep/vacuum, or shower... then i start wondering about order of operations and 'wonder about the order of operations' quickly takes up that entire unpleasant task energy budget. ngl ive had a bad few months. edit: i think i should buy a cheap rug.
@@TaygeteaI struggle with this exact thing. My new rule is that if I waffle over this decision for more than ten minutes, shower wins. If I get gross enough cleaning or exercising later, then I just have to take a second one, but I'm going to need at least one shower even if the rest of my day is a nothing burger.
Thank you Joe for being vulnerable. As a frequently challenged procrastinator and seasoned self-employed engineer, with ADD, I understand the problem well. So many interestng projects, some of which pay the bills, which permits me to do so many interesting projects...In addition to many of your get-past-go tips, I find a few more that help; putting on one of a few music tracks that I know to motivate me, whatever the mood; simply stepping over the threshold to either the garage or basement shops (leads to uncontained whistling whilst I actually work) and writing a list of things I like to do, which often coincides with projects I happen to have to either start or have started... Like you, I find a clean workspace, taking on a small creative task, a walk and nature to be good motivators. Thank you for sharing the good, bad and ugly. Now (let's) go do something creative 🙂
This is exactly what I feel like every day. It's so hard to put words to, especially that part about a messy room. But this is spot on. Feels good to hear someone else explaining it!
I love these videos even more than BPS space now Joe. As someone else who deals with... stuff... it's like watching a friend handle and speak about things I think about and do my best to handle too. Sincerely appreciate the work you've put out this year and wishing you a very happy and successful '25. Thanks for inspiring, as always.
Man is it refreshing to see someone doing big things talk about struggling and how they beat the struggle. I’m on the same page with the reward system not working. Cleaning is my go to but exercise also helps a lot. If you’re in an area that doesn’t get a lot of sun in winter, tanning for 3 minutes can help a lot.
The way you explained the exercise, describing it as the “area under the curve that matters,” or whatever really resonated with me. That kind of math/science-based perspective felt so relatable, and I’ve never met anyone else who thinks like that before. I used to feel like it made me weird, but knowing I’m not alone in this way of thinking makes me genuinely happy.
Hearing you experience the same troubles is relieving. Seeing you - despite that - also getting done, is comforting. (Not all is lost (for me)!) Thank you for sharing all of this. This untangles for me how I experience motivation and momentum, but have never been able to put together so neatly. Also that excercise-section as a whole is magnificent. So, so truthful to how it is, and so annoying to be a slave to uncontrollable bodily requirements.
Joe, thanks for making this video. All of your suggestions make a lot of sense. I've heard (and done) them all before at one time or another, but sometimes it's good to be reminded of what I need to be doing to stay focused on the things I need to get done.
thank you for letting me know that the handsome rocket scientist also has motivation problems sometimes. and then showing how to deal with those. you are a saint.
I love your videos. I do see myself frequently in your situation and in the last few months I had to fight a lot to get back to my motivation/my momentum. Please keep it up! Your honesty is generating motivation on my side. Thank you very much!
Seeing some of the cool projects you do and then also seeing you talk about the fact that you spend a whole day playing video games is actually encouraging. A lot of the stuff you said is very relatable.
Hey, this video is tremendously helpful! Especially the transparency about how awful you felt in the moment. 19:47 hits on something very interesting, *expectation management.* Since you are on a roll with the life advice, that might be a salient topic to cover next, or at least ponder.
My burnout felt quite a bit different than lack of motivation - I became burnt out because too much of what I was doing was in service of others' goals and not my own. But thank you for this video. It is lovely to know that someone so cool struggles with the same things as me. It actually helps
Wow. That is for me hitting the nail very squarely on the head. This is the only video I’ve ever seen that so cleanly laid it all out for me. Thank you Joe!
This chat on motivation is an unexpected gift. As a long time expert in missile design having worked nearly every missile system operational today (and some no longer active), I greatly enjoy your channel from a technical perspective. It is very interesting to see your discussions on technical design issues and challenges, particularly when I've been there for "big buck" defense systems. Not surprised that the ITAR people talked to you. This talk is a welcome holiday surprise. Motivation is something I need due to recent unexpected career events. Thanks.
Comments like this are one of my favorite parts of UA-cam (and other bits of the Internet). They remind me of how much information has actually been Democratictized and, buried under all the advertising, how much of the Internet's true purpose still remains...
8:30 I never used to really understanding why these physical editing tools exist, though I recently acquired an Artuiria Keystep to make music. Seeing the way you just edited that clip in was INSANE. WOW
How much you hated how helpful "exercise" is, spoke to me directly. I hate it but it works so well. Also, this was super relatable - all of the things on your list were on my list too. It's great being reminded that we all have a lot of things in common - like losing motivation and not being able to get it back!
Got me motivated to get off the couch, clean my house and kickstart the day. I am thoroughly enjoying the season of whiteboard videos. Keep up the momentum 😅
I feel personally attacked here. I literally just binged a couple days of subnautica after a 2 year break from playing it last. I have to catch the books up on both businesses and finish cleaning my garage out. Damn it Joe. Now I really have to get off my butt and get back to it. Awesome video though. Definitely on the spot. Gonna add real quick on that promising to do something without a deadline. I do this a LOT in plumbing. I'll tell someone I got them and they'll pop back "no rush". Literally the worst thing to ever hear. I'll put it on my list and then a week or two goes by. Here it is Friday and I got 4 service calls in the "no rush" category and I can't mentally relax for the weekend having the weight of the calls on my to do list. I can never escape from it. Keep not getting them done and never getting a mental relief and you are full steam ahead into "burnout". Been really trying to get that under control the last year. Fixing to reboot the plumbing company and get back into it full steam this year with a lot of these changes.
Thank you for sharing! I struggle with the same problems, and use most of the same solutions you use. It is really encouraging to see a person a passionate about what you do fight the same fight. Love your work!
I've been in the ditch myself as well now for quite a while. Somehow it does not just affect my motivation to work on projects but also my motivation to socialize. I noticed that many of the things you talked about also work for me. Particularly going outside and cleaning. It's weird, but somehow it really does help. I guess sometimes one just needs a satisfying and productive break. Sadly my projects are hobby projects and not work-projects, so being tired of your hobby is quite annoying if you ask me.
I think hearing about your struggling with multiple types of scrolling and specifically phrasing it as "things only driven by external stimulus" was really helpful for me.
One thing that helps me want to get started on getting my motivation back on track is to not half-ass my procrastination. It sounds a bit counterintuitive, but what I mean is that if in the past few days I've been struggling to get work done, constantly getting distracted to go in "reactive mode" (for me it's watching youtube instead of scrolling other social media), I'll go ahead and stop feeling guilty about not working when I'm supposed to. Instead, I'll go full on slacker mode, get myself some extra food outside the normal meal time, disconnect from all work related stuff and close the related software, binge watch some new season of some series, or play some game, or just do anything that you consider is indulging into what you're not supposed to be doing. The trick for me then, is to take a guilty pleasure in that and be honest about it, I'm not pretending like I'm getting work done, I'm legit full-on "skipping work/my responsibilities". I'm not thinking "oh right I have to do X", but "No, I'm not doing X, screw that, I'm slacking right now". Usually, after going 100% into the indulgence for some time, I'm satiated and I get the urge to do something again, but I let that urge grow, I continue doing something else and actually prevent myself from thinking too much about my goals. This works best if you start during Friday so you can continue throughout the week-end. Eventually, the slacking turns into a "job" in that you're feeling done with, but still have to keep doing. I use that moment to spring the motivation back to working, while simultaneously feeling pretty good about returning to being productive. Once there I use similar techniques like working for some minimum 10-20 minutes before the next break opportunity, clean stuff I come across. Personally adding rewards for myself does kinda work, usually along the lines of "if I work for the next hour and make any significant progress, my meal break will be extra long and I'll watch two episodes instead of one". At my work we also do daily summaries of what we did, and this is great for accountability: since I've let everyone know of what state I got to yesterday, I have to at least make something I can put in my daily otherwise I'll look like a fool!
This is bang on! I also find that if you don't want to do a particular task, do something else of similar importance instead, this often gives some momentum that you can take back to the original thing.
Until now, I’ve occasionally been waiting for your rocket videos. However, seeing your courage in sharing both your struggles and the challenges of being an independent content creator highlights your true success-the ability to keep pushing yourself forward.
Hey Joe, thanks for this video! I'm headed outside to get some exercise that I need. My motivation has been low for a while, and it helps to see that I'm not the only one experiencing that. I've accomplished some things this holiday season, but I could have done better. Short videos on whatever platform are killing me! Keep on keeping on brother!
Thank you so much for this video. You have essentially cataloged every day of my life and the struggle. I get out of it the same way you do . . . but damn it's hard. Can't wait to see your next videos on Rockets.
This video hits hard! Thanks so much for shearing, is so encouraging to know that also the people you look up to go through similar struggles sometimes!🙏
I had to learn basically all of these skills when I worked remotely for a few years. This was pre-pandemic, so only one other person from my work was working remotely, and I really struggled with motivation. All of these tricks work, but in the end I have discovered that I need to see people in person to really make the motivation sustainable. This was very strongly reinforced for me during WFH throughout the pandemic. I got very strongly burnt out, and although tricks like these allowed be to continue crawling, it wasn't until I could go back to the office that I really felt good at my job again.
It's rather quite a blessing to know that everyone around you is built almost the same, we have our ups and down and yet try to make the most out if it. I guess that's what makes us human, thanks for the video Joey, always lovely watching your progress. ✨
I've been a slob since Christmas Day, watching probably 70 years worth of television and lacking all motivation, so this was helpful to watch. Vacuuming also fixes my brain in inexplicable ways.
i loved this video, connected so much! Helped me realise that im not completely broken and helped focus me to get my motivation and momentum back!! Happy 2025
I think this helped a lot, I always feel like shit when I loose motivation, like I'm the only person in the world doom scrolling and just ignoring basic tasks that I KNOW I should do.. Hearing from someone as successful as yourself suffer from these same things is reassuring! I am also the same way with cleaning, WOW it makes that momentum come back and I end up getting so many things done from there.
I’m undiagnosed something or other (seeing someone in 2 weeks for diagnosis) and these small changes like excersie and the tiny timer, are brilliant. Also tytytytyty for showing me the davinchi resolve part. I’m done with premier. I’m done with 20hrs of editing for a 30min video only to get 500 views! That hardware looks like it’ll cut down the editing time hugely. Also weirdly I started my yt channel because I wanted to motivate myself and the editing part started to drag me down until I eventually stopped. I’m gonna start again. Cheers from Spain. o7
Very relatable and helpful, and great advice. I’ve found that these techniques help me too, and although I still struggle to do them, I have made progress integrating them into my life. Your previous video on engineering projects was also super useful and inspiring. It helps knowing someone as inspiring and knowledgeable as you still struggles with motivation and existence!
I’ve been struggling with motivation for the last few months and it’s actually really reassuring to hear that even Joey B is struggling the same way I am (and we probably all are…) Thanks for the insights!
Thanks for sharing that! Like how honest you are about yourself. I see all those guys on the Internet with their crazy project, already knowing that some a struggling the same way I do helps a tone. Also, one thing thing which gets me personally started, (out of bed) or like for the first push of momentum is MUSIC! Have a good one!!!
It does help, ive been procrastinating finishing a drawing for a whole month. Things are hectic too, school, job, holidays and other projects, but i have to be honest... there was time. There is time. And energy too. So i watched your video, you didnt tell me anything new, but the fact that you brought my attention to it is what gave me a kick. I need to force myself a little, and succeed. A bit of that will let my subconscious know that this is a task worth doing, aka, motivation happens. And it would be great if i finish it. Then i wont feel that guilt. And i will allow myself to start drawing something new. And i really want to
When I don't get stuff done I watch videos like this to get going again. Proceding to do 0 of the recommend steps but the shear idea of working on getting at it again is enough to actually start doing it.
The fact that you are ADHD makes me (ADHD person) clean, run, do timers and so on. Because every time I hear some of those “how to by productive” or “don’t procrastinate” videos it’s for non-adhd person… and most of times it wont work on me xD but these things you mentioned I do them (not often) but I do and see results! Thanks for reminding me! 🙏
to answer that last question, yes it really does help. it's nice to see I'm not the only person who *hypothetically* hyperfocused on a cozy survival-crafting game about building on a planet you crash-land on while slowly uncovering a narrative by visiting crash sites and long lost structures of previous interlopers... I did Subnautica last year, this year it's been Planet Crafters, but still :P
12:00 I worked so hard convincing my roommate about this, he kept leaving the living room a mess and I explained this concept almost word for word then cleaned the entire apartment while he was away, and sure enough, he admitted he felt a lot better walking into a clean space, and the apartment has been cleaner ever since :D
I don’t have ADHD or anything but that advice and hearing that I’m not alone in experiencing stuff like this has helped me aloof just now. Gonna start Journaling and so on. Just realising the little things that Joe mentioned also affect me was brilliant. Thanks
As a self-employed engineer with scary-bad ADHD, there's nothing here I've not heard before a thousand times. but it still helps to see an example of somebody that has made it work for them. There's a different combination that works for each of us, and understanding yourself is key to making any of it work, and it's the hardest bit of all to do. Cold-starting from nothing always sucks, but gets easier if you have identified a formula that works for you. Personally, I just start with an enjoyable task, then ride the dopamine wave into a job that is a bit less fun (but needs doing). then repeat. it's that easy (it isn't)
Thanks for being honest and transparent here. Plenty of bullshit online would massage away or avoid mentioning the time spent scrolling in the am and would inflate run speeds/times in the hopes to impress. Cheers
I find picking a task to start working on hard, so I set up a system of scraps of paper in a bag. Some of the scraps are things like "play that video game you were wanting to play" (Even deciding to do fun stuff is hard sometimes)... I've added on the the basic concept of picking something from a bag, by if I pick something and have a visceral reaction against it, I can back-burner that task and pick a new one, but I have to do the new one I picked, and I have to do the first one after that (uses the momentum of the first to kick start the second). This is adapted from the "coin-flip" trick, where if you are having trouble deciding, let the coin decide, but listen to your feelings about that decision-- if the coin gave bad vibes, do the other thing. Some useful filler tasks are the things that need to be done every day (shower, dishes, etc.)
One tip I have learned is to make your distractions harder to access, or put more effort into. Say put your most distracting apps at the far back of your app catalog ( whatever its called ). Then put the essentials at the forefront. So UA-cam and other apps go at the way back and the non distracting apps to the front. Another thing was turning off most of my notifications that distracted me. Everything turned off except health, banking notifications, and the basic phone functions. I set reminders to check email and whatnot.
Damm this is what i needed. Bet stuck for months if not longer. Did bare minimum and pushed everything to next day, but now everyting is backed up. Good luck for me
Really good points! You can optimize a little by going outside for a run instead of taking the car to the gym. Sunlight+running without the commute headache.
I barely half listen to these because a minute in I carry my phone over to garage and start on current avoidance project. Make one every week and I'll be on schedule. Thanks!
Thank you for transparency. Good Video, I personaly see Journaling as long-term motivation/ momentum, like cleaning your fly-wheel. Nature to bring yourself back to reality. Makes burnout harder. Burnout while Doing everyhing more and more without seeing progress.
Honestly what works really well for me is the environment, let some fresh air in, let some sunlight in, get a comfortable spot, have a comfortable temperature, not too cold, not too hot... whenever I do this my focus sky rockets and I get a considerable amount of things done in a shorter time span. If nothing works to obtain the necessary amount of focus then just do it, even if you don't want to, just do it, after like 20 minutes of work you will feel great. Also I recommend doing this in the morning as your brain is refreshed.
This is why side quests exist. You know what's super interesting? Linear motors, printed on flexible substrates, especially for the unusual types of unrolled motors that people usually ignore, like the kinds that are strong even when in a fixed position. They can even be made as linear encoders, because they aren't strictly required to be cyclical.
Pro tip on your mill bit getting fouled with aluminum. A saturated solution of coustic soda will dissolve the aluminum and leave a carbide cutter completely untouched. It might take a while.
this video, was just him gaslighting himself.. so that he feels like he did something today
Okay yes but it worked!
gotta build momentum somehow!!
@@bps.shorts haha sure it did! a wonderful video though none the less
sure, but he made a video, so he did do something today
it's like the dumb smiling thing, where if you force yourself to smile it does actually cheer you up after a bit, despite how stupid that is, maybe because of how stupid it is
@@bps.shorts its not illegal to gaslight yourself to be happier
As an ADHD'er myself, seeing these sorts of videos (from people who aren't trying to sell me something, that aren't some productivity guru, and are genuine about their own productivity and motivation struggles) are so helpful and remind me that I'm not alone in the mental crap I have to deal with on a daily basis. This vid was awesome, thanks man. :)
Today’s video is sponsored by BetterHelp-
@@KellyWu04 More like YouBetterHelpYourself.
ADHD gang let's goooo
Its better to think you are alone.
Then your life is your responsibility. Obtain the habit of thinking that way. If you want anything to happen, its your responsibility.
Dont rely on such videos, you have the capacity to remind yourself and you can obtain the habit of that too
The more of these habits you obtain, the less stoppable you become
I love my adhd, at least I know why I wasted so many years of my life before lol
You almost got me convinced to get off my chair and stop watching youtube videos.
emphasis on "almost"
@@DutchBarbarianOfficialalmost is good
It's like you could be doing your project but you could also just watch UA-cam videos on end
Okay, I am going to go to bed, cause its almost 12 PM here. Last youtube video for now. I got a exam in 36 hours and I need to do some exercises. I will not come back to youtube until the test. Had a pretty fruitless evening, just scrolling around in my notes and not getting much into the brain, and that's why I decided to come to youtube to get a break (which lasted one hour) Just throw interesting videos into watch later, don't go click click click
Honestly, and ironically, seeing BPS not being able to spell the word "exercise" was probably the best motivation that I've gotten all month.
*starts chanting*
One of us,
One of us,
One of us!
Lol so true, now that you're saying that :)
EXERCISE
EX...ER...CISE
EX...AR...SIZE
EGGS...ARE...SIDES
...FOR BACON
It may be what every other health and wellness person says, but it means more coming from Joey B
Especially Superman Joey b. A bit concerned we haven’t seen Clark Kent Joey b is a a while though
Someone running a 10 min mile telling me how good running feels afterward hits way more than the guy running half marathons for breakfast or a PE teacher trying to convince me he gets high from his own endorphin.
After watching literally probably hundreds of hours of self help content, this is by far in the top 10 for people with ADHD and doesn't sell bullshit ideas
ADHD is not real. The Speed addiction is.
@@mollylemonk That's an odd way to say "I don't think other people are miserable enough and it makes me cranky"
don't you think watching that much "self help" content is another side of the same procrastination coin he's talking about?
"BPS _shorts"_ 😆
just call it BPS 2 as this is just as high quality as the main channel
Only just seen a couple of his vids and thought this was the main channel 😅
My god, I needed these last two videos. The burnout was real this past semester. I basically just quit the last month and ended up failing a class and barely passing the others. The last video helped me tackle a project I have been wanting to do all year over this holiday break. While I am not super stoked to start a new semester after having done so poorly, Joey B's last advice worked pretty well.... so here's to actually maintaining motivation this next semester!
Dude, thanks for being so honest! It’s kind of nice to know that someone seemingly more successful than me also scrolls social media for an hour before getting up and sometime ends up on the couch playing for 15h.
@12:38 "When I'm in a messy space, everything feels bad, but it feels bad in ways that are hard to articulate and tie back to why they feel bad" this is just....thoughts from my head I didn't know I had put into words I didn't know existed.
amazing tip (at least for me) execiszing outside makes more happy chemicals in my brain light up, maybe it does for you too, cuz that treadmill is the most boring shit ever invented
ok but to be fair subnautica is actually really good
Mmos are bad, theyre the ones that suck your motivation by giving you cheap thrills. Oh look a monster conventiently loaded with money I can kill. Im now richer! yay Only if life were this easy. Its the same rreason why drug addicts do drugs, its easier then life, make you feel good right away but then you stop persuing real happiness, and have nothing in the end. I can honestly say I cant reflect on any of my buzzes/ games sessions and have feel the same way i did when i was there, but when i think of real happiness, like achieving something , overcoming something, i get buzzed all over again. Thats real happiness you can only find by doing real life not a game designed to waste your time for money in the end. Except that one time I got to droknars Forge, solo without henchman in low gear armor to craft my max gear in Guild Wars. Almost quit a few times and left the game to come back thinking i closed it and had a split second to get past the mob that was spawn killing me and just made it... great times.
Exercise is hard to come by when you're 75 years old and the body is just not cooperating. The brain is still all there, and I've been working on a project (a truly unique form of 3D printer) that I hope will form the basis of a start-up company, but getting the necessary momentum every morning is damn difficult. Sometimes I only actually get going much later in the day.
And I must tell you that watching your videos and similar ones by you Xyla, Sabine, and others do help to get me motivated. So, thank you.
For what it's worth, my great grandmother lived past 100 and her exercise routine was 10 laps around the kitchen table every day and mowing her own lawn every week well into her late 90s. You just gotta do what you can and stay active somehow!
Just keep moving and keep your core up. That's the one thing I see i common with all the "fit" older people I know.
My neighbor is a few years older than you and do more than 50yo on the street.
dude I just want to say how much I enjoy the little bits that you keep up across your videos, during simplex the blue tape and currently the various mic stands/holders, not stuff a random person watching would be able to appreciate but that the community does and I really dig it!
I think you forgot the biggest one, the shower
"III - CLEAN"
but what about when you get into decision paralysis for 3 days straight whether you should shower or clean or exercise first
@@Taygeteathe question is do I do the laundry first and then shower to have nice (nice in a computer science nerd term has the meaning of comfort) clothing. Or to shower first, cloth with something not that nice from the bottom of the storage. But with the benefit that the stuff worn pre shower will also be part of doing the laundry so it is more time till the next time doing laundry has to be. I usually need at least a day to decide.
@technikchaot for me i think its the stuff that inevitably gets on the floor around my bed just outside the bathroom. when im in this bad a funk im hiding in bed almost all the time anyway, and so questionable sheets and floor gunk on wet feet and half-clean clothes are what i have to look forward to after a shower. and if i have the energy to do one of: replace the sheets, consolidate clothes from floor to basket, wash a basket of clothes, sweep/vacuum, or shower... then i start wondering about order of operations and 'wonder about the order of operations' quickly takes up that entire unpleasant task energy budget. ngl ive had a bad few months. edit: i think i should buy a cheap rug.
@@TaygeteaI struggle with this exact thing. My new rule is that if I waffle over this decision for more than ten minutes, shower wins. If I get gross enough cleaning or exercising later, then I just have to take a second one, but I'm going to need at least one shower even if the rest of my day is a nothing burger.
Rocketeer theraphy with joe episode 2 lets go!
Thank you Joe for being vulnerable. As a frequently challenged procrastinator and seasoned self-employed engineer, with ADD, I understand the problem well. So many interestng projects, some of which pay the bills, which permits me to do so many interesting projects...In addition to many of your get-past-go tips, I find a few more that help; putting on one of a few music tracks that I know to motivate me, whatever the mood; simply stepping over the threshold to either the garage or basement shops (leads to uncontained whistling whilst I actually work) and writing a list of things I like to do, which often coincides with projects I happen to have to either start or have started... Like you, I find a clean workspace, taking on a small creative task, a walk and nature to be good motivators. Thank you for sharing the good, bad and ugly. Now (let's) go do something creative 🙂
This is exactly what I feel like every day. It's so hard to put words to, especially that part about a messy room. But this is spot on. Feels good to hear someone else explaining it!
I love these videos even more than BPS space now Joe. As someone else who deals with... stuff... it's like watching a friend handle and speak about things I think about and do my best to handle too. Sincerely appreciate the work you've put out this year and wishing you a very happy and successful '25.
Thanks for inspiring, as always.
Man is it refreshing to see someone doing big things talk about struggling and how they beat the struggle. I’m on the same page with the reward system not working. Cleaning is my go to but exercise also helps a lot. If you’re in an area that doesn’t get a lot of sun in winter, tanning for 3 minutes can help a lot.
The way you explained the exercise, describing it as the “area under the curve that matters,” or whatever really resonated with me. That kind of math/science-based perspective felt so relatable, and I’ve never met anyone else who thinks like that before. I used to feel like it made me weird, but knowing I’m not alone in this way of thinking makes me genuinely happy.
Hearing you experience the same troubles is relieving. Seeing you - despite that - also getting done, is comforting. (Not all is lost (for me)!)
Thank you for sharing all of this. This untangles for me how I experience motivation and momentum, but have never been able to put together so neatly. Also that excercise-section as a whole is magnificent. So, so truthful to how it is, and so annoying to be a slave to uncontrollable bodily requirements.
Joe, thanks for making this video. All of your suggestions make a lot of sense. I've heard (and done) them all before at one time or another, but sometimes it's good to be reminded of what I need to be doing to stay focused on the things I need to get done.
thank you for letting me know that the handsome rocket scientist also has motivation problems sometimes.
and then showing how to deal with those.
you are a saint.
I love your videos. I do see myself frequently in your situation and in the last few months I had to fight a lot to get back to my motivation/my momentum. Please keep it up! Your honesty is generating motivation on my side. Thank you very much!
Seeing some of the cool projects you do and then also seeing you talk about the fact that you spend a whole day playing video games is actually encouraging. A lot of the stuff you said is very relatable.
Hey, this video is tremendously helpful! Especially the transparency about how awful you felt in the moment.
19:47 hits on something very interesting, *expectation management.* Since you are on a roll with the life advice, that might be a salient topic to cover next, or at least ponder.
My burnout felt quite a bit different than lack of motivation - I became burnt out because too much of what I was doing was in service of others' goals and not my own.
But thank you for this video. It is lovely to know that someone so cool struggles with the same things as me. It actually helps
Wow. That is for me hitting the nail very squarely on the head. This is the only video I’ve ever seen that so cleanly laid it all out for me. Thank you Joe!
This chat on motivation is an unexpected gift. As a long time expert in missile design having worked nearly every missile system operational today (and some no longer active), I greatly enjoy your channel from a technical perspective. It is very interesting to see your discussions on technical design issues and challenges, particularly when I've been there for "big buck" defense systems. Not surprised that the ITAR people talked to you. This talk is a welcome holiday surprise. Motivation is something I need due to recent unexpected career events. Thanks.
Comments like this are one of my favorite parts of UA-cam (and other bits of the Internet). They remind me of how much information has actually been Democratictized and, buried under all the advertising, how much of the Internet's true purpose still remains...
8:30 I never used to really understanding why these physical editing tools exist, though I recently acquired an Artuiria Keystep to make music. Seeing the way you just edited that clip in was INSANE. WOW
How much you hated how helpful "exercise" is, spoke to me directly. I hate it but it works so well. Also, this was super relatable - all of the things on your list were on my list too. It's great being reminded that we all have a lot of things in common - like losing motivation and not being able to get it back!
Got me motivated to get off the couch, clean my house and kickstart the day.
I am thoroughly enjoying the season of whiteboard videos. Keep up the momentum 😅
I feel personally attacked here. I literally just binged a couple days of subnautica after a 2 year break from playing it last. I have to catch the books up on both businesses and finish cleaning my garage out. Damn it Joe. Now I really have to get off my butt and get back to it. Awesome video though. Definitely on the spot. Gonna add real quick on that promising to do something without a deadline. I do this a LOT in plumbing. I'll tell someone I got them and they'll pop back "no rush". Literally the worst thing to ever hear. I'll put it on my list and then a week or two goes by. Here it is Friday and I got 4 service calls in the "no rush" category and I can't mentally relax for the weekend having the weight of the calls on my to do list. I can never escape from it. Keep not getting them done and never getting a mental relief and you are full steam ahead into "burnout". Been really trying to get that under control the last year. Fixing to reboot the plumbing company and get back into it full steam this year with a lot of these changes.
The self awareness to throw this together is genius. Thanks mate.
your humility and honesty is admirable
Thank you for sharing! I struggle with the same problems, and use most of the same solutions you use. It is really encouraging to see a person a passionate about what you do fight the same fight. Love your work!
I've been in the ditch myself as well now for quite a while. Somehow it does not just affect my motivation to work on projects but also my motivation to socialize.
I noticed that many of the things you talked about also work for me. Particularly going outside and cleaning. It's weird, but somehow it really does help. I guess sometimes one just needs a satisfying and productive break.
Sadly my projects are hobby projects and not work-projects, so being tired of your hobby is quite annoying if you ask me.
I think hearing about your struggling with multiple types of scrolling and specifically phrasing it as "things only driven by external stimulus" was really helpful for me.
One thing that helps me want to get started on getting my motivation back on track is to not half-ass my procrastination.
It sounds a bit counterintuitive, but what I mean is that if in the past few days I've been struggling to get work done, constantly getting distracted to go in "reactive mode" (for me it's watching youtube instead of scrolling other social media), I'll go ahead and stop feeling guilty about not working when I'm supposed to.
Instead, I'll go full on slacker mode, get myself some extra food outside the normal meal time, disconnect from all work related stuff and close the related software, binge watch some new season of some series, or play some game, or just do anything that you consider is indulging into what you're not supposed to be doing.
The trick for me then, is to take a guilty pleasure in that and be honest about it, I'm not pretending like I'm getting work done, I'm legit full-on "skipping work/my responsibilities". I'm not thinking "oh right I have to do X", but "No, I'm not doing X, screw that, I'm slacking right now".
Usually, after going 100% into the indulgence for some time, I'm satiated and I get the urge to do something again, but I let that urge grow, I continue doing something else and actually prevent myself from thinking too much about my goals. This works best if you start during Friday so you can continue throughout the week-end.
Eventually, the slacking turns into a "job" in that you're feeling done with, but still have to keep doing. I use that moment to spring the motivation back to working, while simultaneously feeling pretty good about returning to being productive.
Once there I use similar techniques like working for some minimum 10-20 minutes before the next break opportunity, clean stuff I come across. Personally adding rewards for myself does kinda work, usually along the lines of "if I work for the next hour and make any significant progress, my meal break will be extra long and I'll watch two episodes instead of one".
At my work we also do daily summaries of what we did, and this is great for accountability: since I've let everyone know of what state I got to yesterday, I have to at least make something I can put in my daily otherwise I'll look like a fool!
Thank you so much for not only showing your successes, but also your failures and how you help yourself to start working.
Here hope you get your motivation back. I know how it feels I go through this on a weekly basis. 😢
This is bang on! I also find that if you don't want to do a particular task, do something else of similar importance instead, this often gives some momentum that you can take back to the original thing.
I can't quantify how important it is that I've watched this at *this specific moment* in my life.
Until now, I’ve occasionally been waiting for your rocket videos. However, seeing your courage in sharing both your struggles and the challenges of being an independent content creator highlights your true success-the ability to keep pushing yourself forward.
My trick for cleaning: time the chore and write down how long it *really* takes.
Hey Joe, thanks for this video! I'm headed outside to get some exercise that I need. My motivation has been low for a while, and it helps to see that I'm not the only one experiencing that. I've accomplished some things this holiday season, but I could have done better. Short videos on whatever platform are killing me! Keep on keeping on brother!
Thank you so much for this video. You have essentially cataloged every day of my life and the struggle. I get out of it the same way you do . . . but damn it's hard.
Can't wait to see your next videos on Rockets.
This video hits hard!
Thanks so much for shearing, is so encouraging to know that also the people you look up to go through similar struggles sometimes!🙏
I had to learn basically all of these skills when I worked remotely for a few years. This was pre-pandemic, so only one other person from my work was working remotely, and I really struggled with motivation. All of these tricks work, but in the end I have discovered that I need to see people in person to really make the motivation sustainable. This was very strongly reinforced for me during WFH throughout the pandemic. I got very strongly burnt out, and although tricks like these allowed be to continue crawling, it wasn't until I could go back to the office that I really felt good at my job again.
It's rather quite a blessing to know that everyone around you is built almost the same, we have our ups and down and yet try to make the most out if it. I guess that's what makes us human, thanks for the video Joey, always lovely watching your progress. ✨
This video dropped at the most needed time for me right now (even specifically during what I was doing). Good 80% resonated.
I've been a slob since Christmas Day, watching probably 70 years worth of television and lacking all motivation, so this was helpful to watch. Vacuuming also fixes my brain in inexplicable ways.
i loved this video, connected so much! Helped me realise that im not completely broken and helped focus me to get my motivation and momentum back!! Happy 2025
As a runner struggling with running motivation, thanks. (I love your videos and have been watching you for years and these videos do help thanks)
I think this helped a lot, I always feel like shit when I loose motivation, like I'm the only person in the world doom scrolling and just ignoring basic tasks that I KNOW I should do.. Hearing from someone as successful as yourself suffer from these same things is reassuring! I am also the same way with cleaning, WOW it makes that momentum come back and I end up getting so many things done from there.
I’m undiagnosed something or other (seeing someone in 2 weeks for diagnosis) and these small changes like excersie and the tiny timer, are brilliant. Also tytytytyty for showing me the davinchi resolve part. I’m done with premier. I’m done with 20hrs of editing for a 30min video only to get 500 views! That hardware looks like it’ll cut down the editing time hugely. Also weirdly I started my yt channel because I wanted to motivate myself and the editing part started to drag me down until I eventually stopped. I’m gonna start again. Cheers from Spain. o7
Very relatable and helpful, and great advice. I’ve found that these techniques help me too, and although I still struggle to do them, I have made progress integrating them into my life. Your previous video on engineering projects was also super useful and inspiring. It helps knowing someone as inspiring and knowledgeable as you still struggles with motivation and existence!
I’ve been struggling with motivation for the last few months and it’s actually really reassuring to hear that even Joey B is struggling the same way I am (and we probably all are…)
Thanks for the insights!
Thanks for sharing that! Like how honest you are about yourself. I see all those guys on the Internet with their crazy project, already knowing that some a struggling the same way I do helps a tone.
Also, one thing thing which gets me personally started, (out of bed) or like for the first push of momentum is MUSIC!
Have a good one!!!
Joey, you have no idea how much this video vibed with me and how much I needed this laid out for me like this. Cheers man
It does help, ive been procrastinating finishing a drawing for a whole month. Things are hectic too, school, job, holidays and other projects, but i have to be honest... there was time. There is time. And energy too. So i watched your video, you didnt tell me anything new, but the fact that you brought my attention to it is what gave me a kick. I need to force myself a little, and succeed. A bit of that will let my subconscious know that this is a task worth doing, aka, motivation happens. And it would be great if i finish it. Then i wont feel that guilt. And i will allow myself to start drawing something new. And i really want to
When I don't get stuff done I watch videos like this to get going again. Proceding to do 0 of the recommend steps but the shear idea of working on getting at it again is enough to actually start doing it.
Its always very relieving to see people who appear to me as extremely highly productive struggle with the same issues I feel I do.
This video randomly popped into my feed, and I 100% needed this. Thanks for sharing
@3:36 "Human language is made up, spelling isn't real, all words are invented."
That was the moment I subscribed :D
Been having this problem a lot recently. The GYM 100% helps, and just knowing other people have the problem is also really helpful. Great video.
The fact that you are ADHD makes me (ADHD person) clean, run, do timers and so on. Because every time I hear some of those “how to by productive” or “don’t procrastinate” videos it’s for non-adhd person… and most of times it wont work on me xD but these things you mentioned I do them (not often) but I do and see results! Thanks for reminding me! 🙏
I just found your channel from your previous video but I am super hopeful to see more videos of this nature from you🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Accountabili-buddies are super important!
Thanks for the vid! This was needed!
to answer that last question, yes it really does help. it's nice to see I'm not the only person who *hypothetically* hyperfocused on a cozy survival-crafting game about building on a planet you crash-land on while slowly uncovering a narrative by visiting crash sites and long lost structures of previous interlopers...
I did Subnautica last year, this year it's been Planet Crafters, but still :P
So much if what you said here resonates with my own experience! Thank you for posting this and I wish you continued growth in motivation through 2025!
12:00 I worked so hard convincing my roommate about this, he kept leaving the living room a mess and I explained this concept almost word for word then cleaned the entire apartment while he was away, and sure enough, he admitted he felt a lot better walking into a clean space, and the apartment has been cleaner ever since :D
I don’t have ADHD or anything but that advice and hearing that I’m not alone in experiencing stuff like this has helped me aloof just now. Gonna start Journaling and so on. Just realising the little things that Joe mentioned also affect me was brilliant. Thanks
As a self-employed engineer with scary-bad ADHD, there's nothing here I've not heard before a thousand times. but it still helps to see an example of somebody that has made it work for them. There's a different combination that works for each of us, and understanding yourself is key to making any of it work, and it's the hardest bit of all to do. Cold-starting from nothing always sucks, but gets easier if you have identified a formula that works for you.
Personally, I just start with an enjoyable task, then ride the dopamine wave into a job that is a bit less fun (but needs doing). then repeat. it's that easy (it isn't)
This video coming out while I am preparing for finals is a god sent
Thanks for being honest and transparent here. Plenty of bullshit online would massage away or avoid mentioning the time spent scrolling in the am and would inflate run speeds/times in the hopes to impress. Cheers
Great video, your advice here matches almost exactly with my experience of momentum and motivation.
Thanks Joe, this is exactly what I needed to help me restart after Christmas. Great video as always!
I find picking a task to start working on hard, so I set up a system of scraps of paper in a bag. Some of the scraps are things like "play that video game you were wanting to play" (Even deciding to do fun stuff is hard sometimes)...
I've added on the the basic concept of picking something from a bag, by if I pick something and have a visceral reaction against it, I can back-burner that task and pick a new one, but I have to do the new one I picked, and I have to do the first one after that (uses the momentum of the first to kick start the second). This is adapted from the "coin-flip" trick, where if you are having trouble deciding, let the coin decide, but listen to your feelings about that decision-- if the coin gave bad vibes, do the other thing.
Some useful filler tasks are the things that need to be done every day (shower, dishes, etc.)
One tip I have learned is to make your distractions harder to access, or put more effort into. Say put your most distracting apps at the far back of your app catalog ( whatever its called ). Then put the essentials at the forefront. So UA-cam and other apps go at the way back and the non distracting apps to the front.
Another thing was turning off most of my notifications that distracted me. Everything turned off except health, banking notifications, and the basic phone functions. I set reminders to check email and whatnot.
Damm this is what i needed. Bet stuck for months if not longer. Did bare minimum and pushed everything to next day, but now everyting is backed up. Good luck for me
Really good points! You can optimize a little by going outside for a run instead of taking the car to the gym. Sunlight+running without the commute headache.
I can’t explain how satisfying it feels to know that, people experience same problems with motivation, that I do
I barely half listen to these because a minute in I carry my phone over to garage and start on current avoidance project. Make one every week and I'll be on schedule. Thanks!
Nothing I didn't know. Everything I needed to hear again. Thank you.
Super awesome man! Thanks for sharing helps knowing I'm not the only one. Cleaning is a great Kickstart for me too. 👍
Thanks for making this video. There are a lot of tips in it that I really love and new ones that I will try out
I love that "Joe is a nerd" is still on the whiteboard!🤣
“Stop dropping your leaves brother!!” 😂😂😂
Thank you for transparency. Good Video, I personaly see Journaling as long-term motivation/ momentum, like cleaning your fly-wheel. Nature to bring yourself back to reality. Makes burnout harder. Burnout while Doing everyhing more and more without seeing progress.
Amazing video. I really appreciate the honesty, as a certified time-waster myself I know admitting to your time wasted is not easy.
Honestly what works really well for me is the environment, let some fresh air in, let some sunlight in, get a comfortable spot, have a comfortable temperature, not too cold, not too hot... whenever I do this my focus sky rockets and I get a considerable amount of things done in a shorter time span. If nothing works to obtain the necessary amount of focus then just do it, even if you don't want to, just do it, after like 20 minutes of work you will feel great.
Also I recommend doing this in the morning as your brain is refreshed.
Genuinely great advice.
Its sick how much going on a daily walk fixed things for me.
This is why side quests exist. You know what's super interesting? Linear motors, printed on flexible substrates, especially for the unusual types of unrolled motors that people usually ignore, like the kinds that are strong even when in a fixed position. They can even be made as linear encoders, because they aren't strictly required to be cyclical.
Pro tip on your mill bit getting fouled with aluminum. A saturated solution of coustic soda will dissolve the aluminum and leave a carbide cutter completely untouched. It might take a while.
Thank you for the post and articulating this all so well
2025 and I am realizing BPS has turned into my life coach motivation channel! Happy new year 🎉
Loved the last vid, felt it was aimed at me ahaha. Midway through this one and it's also great.