5 strategies to stay motivated when progress feels invisible
Have you ever felt like you’re working hard but seeing no tangible results? Like you’re putting in endless hours but have nothing concrete to show for it?
You’re not alone!
This is the reality for most PhD students (and bachelor/master students during their internships).
A PhD journey (or, similarly, an internship) typically follows a non-linear trajectory: while the visible outcomes – publications, presentations, thesis chapters – often emerge in the final years, the crucial foundation is built through what feels like invisible progress early on.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s how a typical PhD timeline looks:
But here’s the thing: this pattern isn’t unique to PhDs – it’s the signature of any significant achievement.
Take my journey as a writer/content creator/newsletters maker/whatever-it’s-called, for instance. Today, I reach thousands of readers through my LinkedIn posts, columns, and newsletters about academia and research life. But this “visible success” was built on years of invisible groundwork. it started with a small science blog in 2018 (where I felt like writing to myself), experimenting with different content on LinkedIn for nearly two years, and continuously refining my storytelling based on audience feedback..
Sounds familiar?
Whether you’re in the early stages of your PhD, writing your thesis, or building your professional presence, navigating these “invisible progress” periods can be challenging. How do you stay motivated when results aren’t immediately visible?
In this newsletter, I’m sharing five practical strategies I’ve learned from both research and writing – approaches that can help you maintain momentum during these crucial foundation-building phases of your journey.
#1 | Acknowledge your progress
Track your small wins, even if they seem insignificant. Each successful experiment, each manuscript draft sent to your supervisor (yes, even those that come back covered in red ink!) – they all count. These incremental improvements are building your expertise, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
#2 | Build your foundation quietly
Use “silent” periods strategically. Just as my early blog posts helped refine my storytelling (despite having few readers), your time spent optimizing methods or writing conference abstracts is building crucial skills. Every attempt adds to your expertise.
#3 | Create your own opportunities
Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Starting my blog gave me a platform to practice and explore outside my regular job. If you’re passionate about something, think outside the box and create unique opportunities to develop those interests.
#4 | Embrace the learning curve
Success rarely follows a straight line. Each draft, experiment, and attempt – even the unsuccessful ones – contributes to your growth. Remember: impact often accumulates silently before becoming visible.
#5 | Look beyond social media
While social media overflows with celebration posts about new papers and grants, people rarely detail their journey. Look to documentaries or stories of artists and athletes who needed years or decades of hard work before achieving success.
📢 The Take-Home Message
💡 Major achievements are often built on a foundation of persistent, unrecognized work.
💡 Success typically follows a non-linear trajectory – tangible outcomes might come mostly near the end.
💡 Your breakthrough(s) might be closer than you think – keep experimenting, writing, and sharing
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