Are you stuck on a project like me?! Sigh… I know I should start promoting my second book about RSD since it is coming out in a few months, but I lack motivation. After several years of writing blog posts and social media content, I am facing a combination of burnout and exhaustion. Can anyone out there relate? I know many of us can.

Part of why I am in this place is likely because I am trying to motivate myself by “shoulding” all over myself and “musterbating,” as a college professor once joked. I have promoted my books so far in all the ways I “should.” However, this strategy runs counter to the key tenets of motivation in neurodivergent brains. To revive my process, I need to revisit some key advice from my mentor, well-known author and parent coach Elaine Taylor-Klaus (2020). She describes neurodivergent motivation using the acronym PINCH: play, interest, novelty, challenge, and hurry up (external accountability or a deadline).

While you may not be stuck on book promotion specifically, there is likely something in your life that could use a glam-up with a PINCH of motivation. Here is how I am applying it to my current slump. Could any of these strategies and approaches work for you, too?

P Is for Play

Neurodivergent brains love to be playful! We enjoy games, rewards, sticker charts, fun markers, and being artistic and creative. How could I make my book promotion more fun? The first idea that comes to mind is to make a book promotion Bingo board. I can assign a smaller reward for a single Bingo and a larger reward for a blackout. Is there a project you’re working on that you could gamify with a Bingo board or a similar system?

I Is for Interest

Neurodivergent brains love our interests. The interest-driven nervous system of the ADHD brain and the special interests of the ASD brain thrive on passion. However, we sometimes fear that others won’t think our interests are “cool” (I am raising my hand here). If I avoid connecting to my interests just because some people might think they’re silly, I am overlooking a powerful source of motivation. By connecting my book promotion to my love for rom-com movies, Taylor Swift, tarot cards, and reading, I will enjoy the process a lot more. Those who think my interests are silly don’t need to follow me, right?

N Is for Novelty

We are often motivated by new things—new ideas, new methods, and new experiences (especially if our anxiety isn’t acting up!). How can I promote this book using fresh methods? For example, I just started drafting this post by typing on my Freewrite typewriter. I also frequently dictate my first drafts while walking or working in coffee shops to change things up.

As far as posting goes, I could experiment with using Canva to create images, explore turning my blog posts into podcast episodes, or share quotes that are meaningful to me. I could even share concepts from books by other authors I enjoy. These novel ideas can be added to my Bingo board to reinforce the other elements of the PINCH system. The more motivating elements involved, the better!

C Is for Challenge or Competition

Book promotion is already challenging, but not in a motivating way; it feels tedious and like it will go on forever. It also comes with the nagging feeling that I am not doing it as well as I should, which is an unmotivating downer. I prefer challenges that feel winnable, which helps buoy me to keep going.

To spark that competitive drive, I am creating a July and August Bingo board for an “authentic and fun book promotion challenge.” The reward for a blackout will be an overnight stay at an Airbnb in September to plan the next few months of promotion. This will be enjoyable and reinforce the habit, because I can’t give up or burn out just yet!

H Is for Hurry Up

Hurry up is all about deadlines and external accountability. My lack of motivation is likely tied to the fact that I currently have no external accountability for this project, as no one is forcing me to do it. Engagement on my posts often isn’t enough to drive me, since I don’t love being on social media and don’t find the platforms very interactive. The Bingo board can provide some of this urgency, especially if I share it with friends or my community. I can also book the September retreat in advance to set a hard deadline and discuss this project in my accountability group to build external momentum.

Motivation Essential Reads

My Book Promotion Bingo Board

Goal: 1.5 months of authentic and fun book promotion (Deadline: August 31, 2026).

1 Bingo Reward: Get a new book or audiobook.
Blackout Bingo Reward: Creative book promotion retreat.

The Bingo Squares:

Connect a post to Taylor Swift.
Use Canva to create a post.
Talk to my spouse about going away for the retreat.
Post about dictating drafts while walking.
Post something about Ireland during my summer vacation.
Connect a post to romance books.
Share this Bingo board publicly.
Promote my RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) workbook book club.
Write about the challenges of summer and things not going to plan.
Create a challenge related to concepts in the book.
Share a meaningful quote.
Post this ADHD & Motivation blog post.
Free Space.
Ask someone to hold me accountable.
Share early feedback on the book.
Share an idea from a book I like.
Post something music-related.
Post about RSD in rom-coms.
Post a collage of books that feature neurodivergent characters.
Post about the challenges of packing and traveling.
Create a podcast-style post.
Post a selfie doing something fun.
Post about the challenges of managing an injury.
Plan two book promotion events.
Post about RSD and the experiences of being a mom.

What project are you stuck on? Could a PINCH of motivation help you get started?