Especially around this time of year people love to get involved in something new. Sometimes an obtuse resolution, the next semester of school, transitioning to a new branch of work, adding a pet to your home, etc. However, if you go about said adventure the wrong way, you might not take away what you initially envisioned. That being said, this formula may help you achieve what you want.
Know what you want to get out of the experience. Not necessarily making goals for yourself, but at least knowing what you want to happen as a result of your work. For example, finally getting the grades you think you deserve or losing 5 pounds. You don't view that as something that is hundreds of miles away, but, as something that will actually eventually happen.
Make promises to yourself. It is so easy to promise other people the completion of things or the benefits of something you're doing. Once you begin to promise yourself things, you view them differently. If they don't work out like you wanted, the only person you let down is yourself. If they do work out like you wanted, all the responsibility is yours as well as the reward.
Start out organized. At least the jump of the project should begin clean and shapely. Everyone's life can get messy at times, but it's okay and healthy for that to happen. It's also okay to then start over in a sense, clean up where you left off, and keep going.
Find a routine form of motivation. If you don't maintain any motivative activities, it can be difficult to maintain any fluidity in your tasks. As natural as it can be, it's important to keep your eyes on the prize under most means necessary. Going for ice cream every Sunday, going to the beach every June or going on a hike every month. Whatever the medicine, the more regular the better.
Don't forget to reward your accomplishments. Once we finish something, we tend to move on to something else and forget to bathe in what we've accomplished. Taking a break, watching a new Netflix series, anything can be a reward, as long as you recognize its validity and the opportunity to be successful once again.