Being a small business owner is tough work. Not only do we work so many more hours than we did as an employee for someone else, but we also have so many different pressures we deal with on a daily basis. It is no wonder that we can easily lose focus, drive, and determination. Staying motivated can be a trial. I think every small business owner has lost their motivation for their business at one time or another.
It can be a hard time, dragging yourself to work and dealing with the loss of focus. Floating through and just getting your work done because it has to be done. How do you find that Passion you once had?
When that happens to me, I go back to basics. Back to when I first started dreaming and developing this business. Back to the steps that helped me get to where I am today.
Remember your why – This has to be step one. What made you start and develop your company? What were the needs of your customers that you wanted to fill? Tap into the fire and drive that you had way back then. Pull out those notes and outlines and read them closely. What were you thinking and dreaming about when you started your creation? Your motivation is in there. Go back and get it!
Set and update goals – Always a great motivator is setting and updating goals. Take a day off and go somewhere that inspires you. Sit down with a notebook and write out your goals for the next month, quarter, year, 5 years. Don’t forget to include personal goals too. Don’t make it just about business. Personally we have to grow so we can inspire and focus on us as a whole. Once we can develop our selves we find the passion around us too. That takes us right into the nest step….
Train and update your skills – To grow into and remain an expert in your business you have to continually be learning and updating your skills. How long has it been since you attended a workshop or seminar? Do you read and study industry articles and magazines? Do you take training classes to be on top of the industry growth and direction? By doing things like this you can find motivation in growth and direction for yourself and your company. Things change quickly and you have to change with them.
Watch your peers – Another motivator can be what your peers in the industry are doing with their business. By watching and interacting with them you can share inspiration, thoughts, and knowledge. What are they doing that you are not? What changes do you need to make in your business direction? What do you need to learn?
Focus on the Future – So many business owners get so caught up on today they forget about tomorrow. Focus on those goals you updated and start working on implementation. Refine and define them. Remember your why while you are doing it. Your future is literally at your fingertips. Focusing on where you want your business to go takes just one step at a time. Get to a seminar. Get some training and fresh updates on your industry. Interact with your peers. Work on your personal goals. Soon you will feel that familiar fire again. That passion is still in there.