In my experience, thinking it's actual fun work to do helps. It might even be imperative. There's so much trail and error and time spend on projects that will never come to be. If you're having fun, it's never time wasted at least. If you've only got eyes on the price, you might end up running dead.
Trying to find that mindset, but my goals are being pushed back till this summer... I can't give it any real energy until things mellow out with work, the pandemic has taken its toll.
I love all of the ideas that have been posted, you all have helped me actually develop action steps to get things going and move toward my bigger goals. It's gonna be a long process but a labor of love... want to start with a long abandoned and heavily skated spot downtown OR the old skatepark lot, whichever the city ends up being cool with. I just want to start with a nice ledge and a quarter.
I really need to get the little sneaker/skateshop in my city on board. There's a bigger, older, deeply respected shop over in the next largest city in my area, but they have their own diy scene and are involved and invested there.
I gotta build a relationship with the shop owner nearest me and show him that giving back to the scene could pay off in the long run. I definitely want to put together some Franken setups or bring some old hardgoods to start a donation bin to get kids started or provide for those in need.
Getting my friends involved and stoked on it will be a big deal, too. Right now I feel like I'm sort of going it alone (with the exception being all of you!), and that's probably not sustainable even if it is fun.