It is easy to feel like you are all by yourself when you go into business for yourself. I wrote this entry about a year and a half ago, and I just found it. I think it depicts some of the ups and downs of being ‘in charge’ of running a business. As a business owner, we have Major UPs and Big Time Downs, but mostly, it is important to learn how to stay motivated as a business owner!
I wrote this on July 23, 2007:
In a way, starting your own business is like being dropped off on an island. You wake up – half conscious and water logged to utter confusion, heat, and lack of resources. I am quite sure that in every true marooned story that there must be a point of disparity; a point where the person realizes for the first time that they are alone and have to figure out how to make it. I feel I am now at that point.
In the beginning, there is the moment of confusion and loss. Next, the feelings of disparity and instinctive survival. Now, the basics have been covered and it is more of a subtle feeling of abandonment. Yet, all the while, I have had a sense that there will be a day where it all comes together. The shelter works, the fishing is getting better, and the overall feeling of defeat has started to fade. But one thing will not shake. It is that constant feeling of wondering and yearning for a time for everything to be easy. Easy as it once was and I long to feel that way again. I want the worry to be gone and the dull nagging pain of abandonment to go away.
This “shipwrecked” feeling of entrepreneur-ism must be normal.
However, as I look to research books and company stories, they all glamorize the founders, owners, and CEO’s as a bunch of cool cats that have their acts together and knew it would work all along. Soon, venture capitol folks were just lining up to hand over the millions to invest. It all sounds too easy. It seems to almost belittle the entire experience.
When I am famous, I want my biography to depict the disparity. To utter the words of confusion and lament the discouraging times. To dictate to those that want to know – No, it was not actually easy. I had to convince myself on a daily basis that I was not insane and get up and do it all over again, whether there was money or not. To try to build up a case that this program worked and that it worked well enough for others to invest. Not jut to invest in the program, but more importantly to invest in themselves.
I wish at times that I could just fast forward to my future just to make sure everything would work and be OK. Better than OK, that all of my hard work got me to the point of abundance through changing lives of people I care about.
Now…
… Now, just a short time later, I am living more closely to island life. But not the dropped off and deserted kind. More of the tourist / vacationer / travel writer type. I am in a much different place, not just physically, but mentally. Maybe because I have relaxed—stopped trying to push things, and can take my time. I have helped those wonderful clients that have crossed my path and now on the days that I get down or my spirits start to wane, I remind myself of the personal transformations that have occurred and I am somehow calmed.
Reminds me of a line from a movie…When do I give up?
The Answer: “Never. You NEVER Give Up.”
Staying Motivated as a Business Owner
The best thing that I have done for myself to keep going is to make sure that I insist upon the following for myself:
- A Bulletproof Schedule that allows me ample Me Time
- Days OFF – really OFF from my work and even from my life to just recharge my batteries
- Support systems and people in my life that are there to help as needed
- Creativity – I need to feel inspired so that I can keep going and
- Take Time to Get My Groove Back after any major setbacks. You can read my Extended List HERE
Need some help? Be in touch! Working with someone else will help you stay motivated, especially when you are feeling low or need some direction!
