At some point in nearly every project, momentum dips. The energy you started with fades, tasks start piling up, and even the simplest decisions start to feel… heavy.
This is project fatigue.
And if you’re feeling it, it’s not a sign you’re off track. It’s a sign you’re in the thick of it.
Project fatigue is incredibly common. In fact, we expect it. It usually shows up somewhere in the middle; after the early buzz has worn off, but before the finish line is close enough to feel real. It’s the point where the project becomes real work, and the weight of that starts to settle in.
It’s easy to second-guess everything in this phase.
Maybe you’re wondering if the outcomes will be worth it. Or if the direction is still right. Or if things are moving fast enough. That internal pressure? That’s part of the process too.
The truth is, there’s no real way to prevent project fatigue because it’s a natural part of doing something meaningful. It doesn’t show up when you’re coasting. It shows up when you’re building something that matters.
So what can you do?
You normalize it. You name it. You talk about it with your team.
You keep going: not because it’s easy, but because this middle stage is the work. Every successful project hits this stretch. What makes the difference is how you move through it.
Sometimes, progress doesn’t feel exciting. Sometimes it just looks like making the next right decision and keeping things moving, one piece at a time.
If that’s where you are right now, know this: you’re not behind. You’re not off track. You’re in the middle, and that’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.
