Everyone excited about finally having the small business he always dreamed of. But, let’s face it, that enthusiasm wears off after a while. It might be because of the routine or the countless unexpected problems that arose along the way; whatever the case, one thing is clear: small business owners lose their motivation along the way.
We’ve all been there and we know how hard it may be to recover from something like this. Here are some tips on how to stay motivated even when you want to give it all up:
- Remember why you started your business in the first place
All businesses were started for a good reason; something determined us all to quit our jobs and venture into entrepreneurship. Whatever the catalyst was for you, it was strong enough to lead you to such a bold decision. Think about it; re-read your company’s mission statement or talk to friends who were besides you every step of the way, from the very beginning. All these are powerful reminders that you are, in fact, where you’re supposed to be and that what you’re feeling now is just a passing sensation.
- Get some distance
Could your lack of motivation be the result of over-working yourself? It happens more often than you might think. Our suggestion: take a small break, perhaps a long weekend that you spend away from your home and especially your office. During that time, close your work phone, don’t check your email, and make sure to focus on other things that matter to you. You will definitely go back to work refreshed and with a different, more optimistic view on things.
- Get feedback from your customers
Positive feedback is one of the best motivational resources. Ask people why they got into business with you and why they stayed; you will definitely be surprised in a pleasant way by what they have to say about you and your business acumen. Bonus tip: their testimonials are also something that would look great on your website.
- Reset your goals
As entrepreneurs, we are accustomed to be always facing a new goal; this what drives and what pushes us to be better and more innovative each day. Can you remember the last time you looked at your goals with a critical eye? Maybe they are too lax and you have no problem breezing through them or, on the contrary, maybe they are unrealistic. If you are the founder of a start-up, you can’t expect to make a billion dollars in the first year; that is a dream, not a goal. Setting the wrong goals can definitely bring you down, so why not try and re-evaluate them? This will give you the boost you were searching for.
- Take care of yourself
As a small business owner, you have to take care of a lot of things, from employees to customers, partners, suppliers and many, many others. So you forget to take care about who matters the most: you. You should always come first; if you are not OK, the people who depend on you won’t be either. Plus, over-working and stress can definitely brink you on the brink of depression and feeling like nothing really matters. When was the last time you did something only for yourself?
What about you? What are your tips & hacks to stay motivated and on top of things? Let us know in the comment section below.
