How to stay on track when the going gets tough.
10 Motivational Tips For Entrepreneurs
How to stay on track when the going gets tough.
Whether you’re in the dreaming and planning stages of your business, a veteran in need of a fresh perspective, or somewhere in between, these ideas will inspire and keep you excited about the road ahead.
1. Mental Shift – Make a “muse date” with yourself or a good friend who inspires you every week to go to a museum, garden or unique shop where the products, colors and images trigger your brain into thinking beyond its usual boundaries. Bring a notebook and write down what comes to you.
2. Weekly Goals – Daily to-do lists can leave too much room for negativity if you don’t tick off every item. Think of it more like a toddler’s diet, where something from every food group should be included over the course of a week, not every day. Set up weekly goals to move different parts of your business forward, so there’s less pressure (and guilt!) if you get sidetracked one day.
3. Inspiration Board – Hang a large bulletin or magnetic board in a location where you will look at it often. Put up images, motivational words, phrases, product ideas, goals, or whatever else inspires you so you become immersed in this world you’re creating. Have fun with this, put up new images and change things around so the messages have an impact and your board doesn’t become another dust collector.
4. Just Desserts – A built-in reward system can make even the most arduous task bearable. The big rewards, like upgrading your computer when you hit a revenue goal, will likely take care of themselves. This tip is for the day when you can’t seem to find the mental stamina to get through the accounting. Write out different rewards and put them in a jar; anything from a bike ride with your son to seeing a movie. Tell yourself that when you finish the task at hand, you can choose a treat from the “cookie jar.” And yes, it’s okay to eat dessert first once in a while.
5. Support System – The life of an entrepreneur can be a lonely one, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Having people in your corner that you can discuss ideas with and get feedback is invaluable, especially if you work from home. It can be a close friend you exchange emails with, a group who meets regularly, a mentor or a professional coach. Think about your personality and what kind of support you need, then get it.
6. Dream Big – It seems the more we expect of ourselves, the more we accomplish. While you’re ticking off those weekly goals, take some time to wave the magic wand and think about “If I could do anything, what would it be?” You don’t have to tell anyone your big dream, but it’s a useful beacon to steer you towards achievements you might not realize you’re capable of.
7. Hear This – Play music that inspires you while you’re working. Listening to music affects our mood and can stimulate us to think about a product or problem differently. Some tasks require quiet concentration, but when possible, give your brain a chance to hear the soundtrack it will begin to associate with success.
8. Enjoy Today – We sometimes get so focused on the illusive future, when all our dreams have come true and life is grand, that we spend years living miserably to get there. Make the journey just as enjoyable as the end result by finding pleasure in the creation of your business. If you don’t enjoy the process, it might not be right for you.
9. Stay Focused – What’s your ultimate goal? More money? Flexible schedule? Control over your destiny? All of the above? Find images that represent these things to you and post where you can look at them everyday. Alternatively, or in addition, write your bio as you want your life to be in one, two or five years, and reread it often. It can help serve as a road map to reach your goals.
10. Delegate Wisely – Are there tedious tasks you can pay someone else to do, so you can stay focused on the parts of your business you love? If you don’t have the budget for this, perhaps you can streamline the task. For instance, hiring a bookkeeper is a huge help for most entrepreneurs, but if you can’t afford it, maybe you can purchase an easy-to-use bookkeeping software. If you or your friends have teenage children, they might be willing to do menial tasks to gain work experience.
