Five Ways Indie Authors Can Stay Motivated When Success Takes Time

Last week I shared 10 things I’m taking through to 2026 as an indie author, rooted in my New Year’s resolution: calm determination.

One of those was giving marketing the time it needs to work — not panicking, not constantly changing direction, not assuming failure just because results aren’t immediate. I'm guilty of panicking, feeling unmotivated and allowing myself to worry that I will never find the success I really wish would happen, so I'm hoping this post will help me as well as you.

That said, here’s the uncomfortable truth we don’t talk about enough.

Success in publishing often takes years.

And enthusiasm, unlike ambition, can absolutely disappear at times.

There comes a point where you’ve done the courses, posted the content, written the books, sent the newsletters… and it still feels quiet. Sales trickle. Engagement is patchy. Energy dips. Motivation wobbles.

So how do you keep going when hard work doesn’t yet seem to be paying off?

Here are five things that genuinely help me stay motivated on the long road of indie authorship.

1. Stop Measuring Progress Only by Outcomes

Sales matter. Of course they do. But if sales are the only thing that makes you feel good, motivation will drain very quickly.

Instead, measure:

• consistency (you showed up again)

• completion (you finished the chapter / edit / post)

• alignment (you acted in line with your long-term vision)

You don’t control algorithms, retailer visibility, or reader timing. You do control whether you keep going.

Calm determination means valuing effort without needing instant reward.

2. Shrink the Time Horizon

Looking too far ahead is exhausting.

Thinking “Where will I be in five years?” is inspiring — but living there emotionally every day is draining.

When motivation dips, bring your focus closer:

• What am I doing this week?

• What is today’s small, meaningful task?

• What would “enough” look like for the next hour?

Momentum is built in small, repeatable actions — not grand future visions you have to emotionally sustain.

3. Create Energy Loops, Not To-Do Lists

Traditional to-do lists assume infinite energy. We don’t have that.

Instead, notice which tasks:

• give you a sense of progress

• reconnect you to why you write

• feel lighter once they’re done

Then deliberately loop those tasks into your routine.

For me, that might be:

• drafting rather than editing on low days

• engaging with readers rather than chasing metrics

• writing blog posts like this that remind me I’m not alone

Motivation isn’t found — it’s recycled.

4. Keep Proof That It Is Working (Even Quietly)

When you’re tired, your brain becomes very convincing.

It will tell you:

• nothing’s changing

• no one’s reading

• you’re wasting your time

So keep evidence.

Save:

• kind reader messages

• reviews that landed when you least expected them

• screenshots of small wins

• moments you felt proud of your work

Progress is often happening below the surface, long before it becomes visible. This is where I allow trust in what is coming and what is there for me to take over.

5. Let Rest Be Strategic, Not Shameful

Running out of energy doesn’t mean you're not disciplined. It means you’re human.

The danger isn’t resting — it’s resting while telling yourself you’re failing.

Instead:

• rest with intention

• step back without quitting

• pause without tearing down everything you’ve built

Calm determination includes knowing when to slow down so you can keep going.

The Long Game Requires a Different Kind of Strength

Indie authorship isn’t about relentless hustle. It’s about staying present long enough for the work to compound.

If things feel slow right now, it doesn’t mean they’re broken. It might simply mean they’re still becoming.

And that’s where calm determination matters most.

Staying Motivated as an Indie Author

Now, don't imagine I've got all of this nailed. I wrote this post for other indie authors but also for me. I need to keep going on all of the above, and I wrote this post to keep myself motivated as well as you. Authors, we're all in this together.

Comment below what keeps you going because your words can help other writers or any creatives, really. Let's keep going!