When you first start your business, you are essentially at the beginning of a relationship. Your excitement and passion keep you motivated but eventually, that ‘honeymoon’ period will end. Just like any other relationship, it can be difficult to navigate through this period and settle into a routine. It’s only normal to get to this point with your business; what’s important is breaking out of it and learning how to fall back in love with your business again.
To begin with,
Look back to see how far you’ve come
This is a great first step. When did you start your business? What have you achieved in this time? Looking at all your achievements and celebrating them is a good way to show how valuable your business is and help you to realise how much work you’ve put in. Consider why you started your business in the first place; this is why you should keep moving forward.
Set up new goals
Once you’ve reminisced on your success and realised why you love what you do, change your perspective. Consider how much your life has changed since you started and what you want from your business now. A lot can change, and you may be struggling with running your business because you’ve grown and changed. It’s time to rethink your priorities and set yourself some new and fresh goals. This shift in perspective can help you to view your business differently and help you to feel excited about something new.
Network
Speaking with people who are passionate about the same things as you is a good way to help you to remember why you started in the first place. You may also find that networking inspires you to find a new perspective or a different approach. Working for yourself can feel lonely, especially if it is just you; therefore, finding people who are in the same position or who are working in the same industry can help you to make friends while also broadening your horizons and opening yourself up to more opportunities. Developing relationships with people in the same places as you means that you have help and support on hand from people who understand exactly what you’re going through.
Update your space
A new environment can work wonders when it comes to feeling unmotivated. This doesn’t
mean investing in a whole new interior or, more drastically, buying a new house; even the simplest of changes can help you to refresh and motivate you to continue. Updating your space can be as simple as, rearranging your office, decluttering your desk, a lick of paint or even treating yourself to a new desk chair.
Alternatively, a declutter is another great way to refresh. Your desk is your workspace, and when it’s cluttered, it can make getting things done frustrating and stressful. Invest in some office supplies to organise and give yourself some peace of mind when it comes to remembering where important documents are filed. It’s also important to consider decluttering your computer. Do a spring clean of your desktop and files to help you navigate through your work and to save yourself time as you won’t spend as much looking for documents.
Take a break
This is so important and something you should be doing on a regular basis. Everyone NEEDS a break every once in a while. In any other job, you can take annual leave, so why can’t you? Having time off will allow you to unwind, relax and the opportunity to come back to work with a fresh and new outlook.
Delegate
You started your business because you were passionate about your services/ products, but that doesn’t mean you have to like doing all the things that come with it. These administrative tasks can sometimes make you feel like tearing your hair out and can also be very time-consuming. Hiring freelancers or a virtual assistant to help you with these tasks is a great way to free yourself from your ‘dreaded tasks’, give you more time to focus on what you love and to give yourself a much-needed break.
And finally,
Create a new routine
If you’re doing the same thing, day in, day out, then it’s inevitable that you’re going to get bored and lose motivation. One of the great things about having your own business is there are no rules for you to follow; you can work wherever and whenever you want to. If your normal routine isn’t working for you, then mix it up a little. If long hours don’t suit you, break up the day into tasks and fill in the gaps with things you enjoy. Perhaps you struggle with early mornings and thrive in the evening, then alter your routine to you.
Whatever you do, don't give up.
Bizzybee, otherwise known as Erin, is a Virtual & Social media assistant based in Cheshire. She works with small/micro Creative businesses and entrepreneurs. Being able to work remotely allows her to work all over the United Kingdom.