K is for Keep Going.
Thomas A. Edison said "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

Whilst we can all agree with such a sentiment, it's harder to put it into practice. I hope that if you follow some of the techniques and ideas I've outlined in this series, then you won't hit this particular wall too often. Or if you do, nine times out of ten you'll have a way to navigate round it: maybe you'll break the task down into more manageable chunks; maybe you'll go back to your list and choose a different task that better suits your mood or motivation.

But what happens that one in ten time when you can't summon up any enthusiasm for any of the items on your to-do list?

Sometimes it's a sign that you're working yourself too hard, and you need to find a way to unwind and recharge your batteries. But other times it's just that you're facing something that's new or difficult, or new and difficult, and the lack of motivation is just the dread of the hard work that you know awaits you.

At times like these, perseverance is the only tool left in your toolbox. You mightn't be as productive as you'd like, but just plodding your way through the tasks on your list will get things done quicker than staring at them will. If you can't find a better way to confront the problem then the sooner you start working through it, the sooner it will be over.

If you're the sort of person who can get themselves fired up with a sergeant-major-style pep talk, then lay down the challenge and power through it. If, like me, that would leave you cold, then just remind yourself that even sub-optimal doing is still doing, and crank the volume up on some upbeat music to get the blood flowing.

Whatever you do, just keep going.