Becoming an entrepreneur requires a certain amount of drive and enthusiasm. If we didn’t believe in ourselves and our businesses, we would still be working for someone else. But when the going gets tough, it’s easy to lose sight of why we started in the first place. This can cause us to become unmotivated, and it could be the demise of the business we’ve worked so hard to build if we’re not careful.
Businesses are like relationships: commitment is an absolute must if they are to succeed. Here are some tips for staying focused and pulling through the hard times.
Write a mission statement if you haven’t done so already. It should concisely detail the purpose of your business and its key philosophies. Many entrepreneurs neglect to do this unless it is required to obtain funding. But a mission statement can help you remember why you wanted to start a business in the first place.
Set goals. If you don’t have something specific to work toward, it’s hard to stay motivated. By setting challenging yet attainable and measurable goals, you increase your chances of succeeding whether you meet them or not.
Don’t overwork yourself. Starting and running a business is hard work, and it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of endless 16-hour days. It’s rather ironic that this commitment to your business can result in burnout, which can leave you without the energy you need to keep going. While it may not be feasible to take a vacation when your business is just getting off the ground, it doesn’t hurt to take a day off every now and then. Taking a breather will give you time to regroup and remember why you chose the path you’re on.
Outsource the tasks that bore or frustrate you. Small business owners often fall into the trap of thinking they must do everything themselves. Sometimes they are on tight budgets and don’t feel they can afford to hire help, whilst others are unwilling to let go of the total control they have. But if you’re suffering from a lack of motivation, outsourcing can get you back on track by allowing you to focus on the things you love about your business.
Evaluate the state of your business. If you’ve hit a rough spot, perhaps a change of plans is in order. You may need to focus your offerings more tightly, rethink your marketing methods, or invest in better equipment. By isolating and solving the problem, you can get back to business as usual.
Sometimes it’s hard to maintain the level of commitment that we have in the initial phases of a business venture. By doing what it takes to remain focused and remembering why we chose this path in the first place, we can keep ourselves motivated. When we reach our goals, we will realize that it was all worthwhile.
Setting goals can keep you on track. But your goals should be achievable and you can reach it.
Vera wrote: “Write a mission statement…”
… but keep it short and simple. Make it fit on a post-it so you can put it onto the bathroom mirror.
Vera wrote: “Set goals”
As you mentioned, goal setting is important and the goal should be attainable. Frequent checking if you are still on the right path to fulfill the goal is important, too.
Vera,
“Outsource the tasks that bore or frustrate you” – bingo! THAT’s the solution people often overlook (or because of people are actually having a difficult time delegating?)
Resources & Tom – thanks for the feedback and tips!
Noob – I think most business owners don’t want to give up the control so it’s harder to delegate. But once you get into a good groove with it, it is amazing.
You are totally right. There is no way I would be able to succeed in my online business without a lot of drive and dedication, probably even more so than other biz because you need a lot of discipline and most of that I get from the drive.
Thanks Vera,
JR
I’d also suggest that a solid brand statement be formed with careful and candid consideration. Then, use it to drive every business decision.
It’s more than a mission or vision…it’s a foundation that supports your business, drives your passion and reminds you why you do what you do, every day. James Gregory said it best in his book Marketing Corporate Image: “(Brand) is a declaration of who we are, what we believe, and why you should put your faith in our company.â€
Once you’ve made that declaration, the rest is easier. You don’t have to wake up in the morning and wonder “what am I going to do today?” You simply know it….you know why you’re there and how you’re going to act.
Embracing your brand reduces stress and gives purpose to everything you do.
-Mark True | Brand Warrior