Ask HN: How can you achieve the mental energy and stamina to do great things?

[1]http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinfelds-productivity-se...

For software, having your code in a public repository like GitHub provides some socially-based motivation to keep your projects active. Just the simple act of regularly committing small changes can provide you with a sense of momentum -- and bonus points for raising (and fixing) issues, etc.

For days that you aren't on your A-game, it's also helpful to have made a TODO list from a day when you were thinking more clearly, so you can work on a relatively simple task just to maintain momentum.

Another key is to have a "big picture" goal that your projects are helping you towards. There's no reason you can't start now putting together the basic structural code (say, some core machine learning algorithms) for a later startup -- or even try your hand at writing an end-to-end web app and hosting it for free on Amazon. Whatever your end goals are, you'll be more motivated if you are writing code that helps you get there, not just code for learning's sake.

The only way to gain it is by working hard at anything. Preferably in a skill that you want to develop.

Practice practice practice. Going to the gym and staying healthy is important but have a closer look at Reid Hoffman, Mark Zuckerburg and Rex Ryan --- you wouldnt introduce them to someone who you'd like to impress with the benefits of gym-going.

Practice, practice, practice & dont give up.

We're all humans. Some days we feel really motivated, other days we want to sit around and do anything but work - both of those are fine. Just try to get the most out of your good days, and enjoy the "slow" days. Your work will get done regardless, and taking some time off here and there for mental health is a-okay.

I wish I started earlier. Way earlier.