How to Stay Motivated in Your Business
When you first started your business, motivation likely came easy. You were full of possibility and hope. But now that you've been in business for a while, you may find it a struggle to stay motivated.
When you worked for someone else, you had a boss to point you in the right direction and provide rewards to keep you motivated. As an entrepreneur, finding ways to stay motivated is up to you. If you find your motivation is lacking, read on.
Focus on your strengths. Stick with what you know, are good at and like to do. Don't offer any services you don't like doing or don't do well. This may sound obvious, but during tough times, many business owners will start doing work they don't like or aren't good at just to get business. Resist doing this; it will backfire in so many ways! When you dislike what you are doing, you will dread your whole business. Not to mention your customers will be able to see that you don't like what you are doing or aren't doing it well, which could cost you business. Definitely not the outcome you want!
Work during your peak hours. Everyone has a different body clock. Maybe you work best in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping. Maybe you are most productive first thing in the morning. One advantage to having your own business is that you can decide when you will work. Figure out what your peak hours are and work during that time. Being focused and productive may be all the motivation you need!
Celebrate all your accomplishments. No matter how small they may seem, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate each and every one. This doesn't have to be anything big, even a pat on the back will suffice. Think back to when you first started your business and how far you have come since then. Seeing what you have accomplished will help motivate you to accomplish even more.
Challenge yourself in a new way with an old task. I'm willing to bet there is at least one task in your business that is very repetitive and less than exciting. If you feel you aren't learning anything or being challenged, you will lose the motivation to keep doing it. To keep it fresh, challenge yourself to improve your performance. For example, can you finish the task faster? A little competition can be great for boosting motivation, even if you're only competing against yourself.
Find a mentor who is in the position you want to be in. Being accountable to someone is a great way to stay motivated, especially when that person has been where you are and is now where you want to be. Your mentor can help you look at the situation and determine where your lack of motivation is coming from. Then you can both brainstorm ways to overcome it, maybe by offering a new product or service. Also, seeing someone accomplish something you want will reignite your energy and motivation.
A loss of motivation is common when you have been in business for a while. It doesn't mean you should give up. A few simple tweaks, like the ones above, will help get your energy and excitement flowing again!
When you worked for someone else, you had a boss to point you in the right direction and provide rewards to keep you motivated. As an entrepreneur, finding ways to stay motivated is up to you. If you find your motivation is lacking, read on.
Focus on your strengths. Stick with what you know, are good at and like to do. Don't offer any services you don't like doing or don't do well. This may sound obvious, but during tough times, many business owners will start doing work they don't like or aren't good at just to get business. Resist doing this; it will backfire in so many ways! When you dislike what you are doing, you will dread your whole business. Not to mention your customers will be able to see that you don't like what you are doing or aren't doing it well, which could cost you business. Definitely not the outcome you want!
Work during your peak hours. Everyone has a different body clock. Maybe you work best in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping. Maybe you are most productive first thing in the morning. One advantage to having your own business is that you can decide when you will work. Figure out what your peak hours are and work during that time. Being focused and productive may be all the motivation you need!
Celebrate all your accomplishments. No matter how small they may seem, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate each and every one. This doesn't have to be anything big, even a pat on the back will suffice. Think back to when you first started your business and how far you have come since then. Seeing what you have accomplished will help motivate you to accomplish even more.
Challenge yourself in a new way with an old task. I'm willing to bet there is at least one task in your business that is very repetitive and less than exciting. If you feel you aren't learning anything or being challenged, you will lose the motivation to keep doing it. To keep it fresh, challenge yourself to improve your performance. For example, can you finish the task faster? A little competition can be great for boosting motivation, even if you're only competing against yourself.
Find a mentor who is in the position you want to be in. Being accountable to someone is a great way to stay motivated, especially when that person has been where you are and is now where you want to be. Your mentor can help you look at the situation and determine where your lack of motivation is coming from. Then you can both brainstorm ways to overcome it, maybe by offering a new product or service. Also, seeing someone accomplish something you want will reignite your energy and motivation.
A loss of motivation is common when you have been in business for a while. It doesn't mean you should give up. A few simple tweaks, like the ones above, will help get your energy and excitement flowing again!