Discipline in Action: How I Built Momentum on My Massive Project
Every big idea—whether it’s a course launch, a book, or a brand-new business line—can feel like staring up at Everest.
I found myself at basecamp last quarter, project outline in hand, heart pounding, and social feeds tempting me like neon signs.
This is the story of how I armored myself with discipline, limited my scrolling to only X, and turned a mammoth vision into daily wins.
The Vision That Lit the Fire
I’d sketched out this project for months: modules, worksheets, email sequences, design assets—enough to make any normal human feel queasy. But excitement alone wouldn’t move the needle. I needed a clear “north star”:
Define my outcome. What does “done” look like? For me, it wasn’t a vague “launch something”; it was a course on ThriveCart Learn, complete with embedded workbooks and a brand board walkthrough.
Set quarterly mileposts. By June 30, I’d have a complete outline. By July 15, lessons drafted. By August 1, design templates ready for student upload.
Having that concrete map stopped the mental wanderings and gave me fuel to sprint.
My Discipline Framework: Focus, Freeze, Repeat
Here’s the rhythm I leaned on:
Laser‐Vision Work Blocks. I work in 90‑minute sprints. No phone. No email. No access (just a few people). Only a timer and my task list.
Social Media Fast. Beyond X, I logged out of every other app. Zero doom‐scrolling during locked in time blocks—it’s a productivity trap dressed as relaxation.
Momentum Check‐Ins. Every evening, I ticked off accomplishments in Notion: a checklist of micro‑tasks that felt deceptively small until they added up.
That last piece—celebrating micro‑wins—kept my motivation lit. Seeing a string of green checkmarks on my kanban board is surprisingly addictive.
Mapping It Out with Project Management Tools
I’m not a “tools for the sake of tools” person. I needed one hub to hold every moving part:
Tool Use
Notion Master project roadmap + content outlines
Trello Daily kanban for micro‑tasks
Google Calendar Time‑blocking work sprints
Pro tip: Link tasks in Trello back to the Notion page where you’ve drafted your ideas. No more hunting through paragraphs to remember what “Module 3” covers.
Riding the Momentum (and Surviving the Freeze)
Four weeks in, something funny happened: I hit a weekend where I froze. My usual sprint felt like wading through molasses. Instead of beating myself up, I:
Paused the Sprint. I closed my laptop at noon Saturday.
Recharged. A long walk, a chapter of a novel, a chat with my accountability buddy.
Re‐launched. On Monday I revisited my roadmap, adjusted one tiny task, and got back on the board.
Discipline isn’t perfection—it’s the choice to come back after you stumble.
What I’ve Achieved So Far
Project Scope Finalized. All modules and lessons mapped.
Content Outlines Drafted. Rough drafts for five of seven lessons completed.
Design System Set Up. Canva templates and brand board structure ready.
Course Skeleton Live. ThriveCart Learn shell created; first lesson uploaded.
Each of these felt huge in the moment—but they were nothing more than one‑step‑beyond‑the‑last win.
What’s Next on the Horizon
Finish Drafting Lessons 6 & 7. Aiming for first‑pass by mid‑August.
Student Experience Audit. Invite a small group to poke holes before launch.
Email Nurture Sequence. Craft a 5‑email drip to welcome and onboard learners.
With each piece slotted into my kanban backlog, there’s no guessing—just doing.
Lessons Learned & Tips for Your Own Journey
Define “Done.” Vague goals breed vague action.
Block the Noise. Social apps are ambition assassins—limit them ruthlessly.
Celebrate Micro‑Wins. Green checkmarks are dopamine in checklist form.
Plan for Low Days. Build rest into your timeline; the freeze is part of progress.
Remember: Discipline isn’t a cage. It’s the power harness that keeps your rocket on course.
If you’ve wrestled with a massive build and lived to tell the tale—or you’re gearing up to—drop a comment on X [@janegrismer] or subscribe here on Substack for more behind‑the‑scenes insights. Let’s keep each other accountable. 🚀
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Jane Grismer is a professional coach, brand strategist, and creator of Booked + Branded. She helps quietly powerful experts turn clarity into positioned offers, visible authority, and scalable growth—through structure, simplicity, and intentional focus.
Jane, what an inspiring read! I’m signing up to get more!