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Jan 7, 2010, 6:29pm

Exceptional Thinking :: General :: Surviving your first year :: Staying Motivated when running your business

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Topic: Staying Motivated when running your business (Read 227 times)

Helen Dowling
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Staying Motivated when running your business
« Thread Started on Mar 10, 2008, 12:54pm »

When everything’s going well in your business, staying motivated is easy. It feels like the sun shining on everything and nothing can go wrong. But, as my mentor is often telling me, “show me an entrepreneur and I’ll show you a manic-depressant” – sometimes all it takes is one phone call and your mood can drastically be affected.

So, when it seems like you can’t get enough sales or there’s a phone call you don’t want to make or something else is bothering you, what can you do to stay motivated?

Top tips to stay motivated:

1) The first thing to do is remember that everyone running a business feels like this at some point, so speak to your contacts about how you’re feeling and see if they have any suggestions to stay motivated.

2) Take a break. Often having the afternoon off can help you clear your head, regain your focus and be ready to face the world again.

3) Get inspired. Read success stories from other entrepreneurs; listen to a motivational CD or download some quotes from top entrepreneurs from: http://www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk/Exceptional-Information.php

4) Give yourself a reward. If you really don’t want to do something, promise yourself a reward once it’s done. It could be anything from a chocolate bar to having a break. Whatever works for you.

5) Get rid of any negatives. Everyday write them down to get them out of your system. When you’re finished, tear the paper up into tiny bits and then burn it, trash it or flush it.

6) You are not in control of others. You do have control over how you react to others. Remember you have a choice as to whether you get stressed or not.

7) Do something physical. Going for a walk, a swim or down to the gym can really help you feel more motivated and give you a chance to reflect on things.

8) Write down a list of goals. Knowing what you want and how you’re going to get there can be a real motivator. Collect images of your goal and stick them to a board and put it in a place where you can see it so that it reminds you of what your goals are.

9) Look at what’s happening when you’re not motivated. Is it a particular time of day? A particular type of activity? Resolve any underlying issue if there is one and eliminate or delegate tasks you don’t like to do.

10) Write down your top 5-7 things to do for the day and do the difficult one first and then easiest one last. That way your day will become easier as it goes along.

And five more ideas for you…

11) Form a support group or partnership. Do you know others who sometimes find it difficult to stay motivated. Link up with them and inspire each other.

12) Get yourself out of the house / office. Go to networking events, training courses or whatever you can find. Check out: http://www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk/Exceptional-Networking.php to find events you could attend.

13) Create 3 positive affirmations such as “I will succeed” and repeat them to yourself everyday.

14) Volunteer to help someone else. Both Business Link and the Prince’s Trust run mentoring programmes. Could you pass on your business knowledge to someone else? It’s incredibly motivating to help someone else through the tough times of running a business.

15) And along those lines, get yourself a mentor. Do you know someone who inspires you? Could you ask them to mentor you or simply approach your local Business Link.<p>

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