Projects may start with a burst of energy. As the project drags on with no defined milestones or markers of accomplishment, enthusiasm will dwindle. Energy can often come from the project lead, but be sure to look to your team for renewed springs of energy.

Positive environment is contagious. If your team contains members who love to share their accomplishments, have a Show-and-Tell session as part of your team meetings to energize the rest of your team. Be sure that the Show-and-Tell session does not take over your entire meeting, otherwise you will be focusing on past accomplishments, instead of looking ahead to completing future tasks.

You can also break down big problems into small, manageable tasks. These tasks should be small enough and well-defined to make them achievable within the constraints of the overall project's goals. The team members will see a series of accomplishments through completing tasks, which will propel them into a cycle of positive reinforcement. They will take pride in making discernible progress towards completing the project.

Taking the policy, "The beatings will continue until morale improves," has yet to produce positive results. Blaming one person will discourage the team's investment in the project. Set expectations and consequences for completing tasks, and get the entire team to take ownership of the successes and failures. Find out from the members what they expect to achieve, and incorporate their ideas into the process for completing their project.

When everyone knows what is expected of them and feels like they are involved in the development of the project, they are much more likely to participate in its success.