Although you were filled with passion when you first started your business, now that you’ve been doing it for a few years, your motivation may be waning.
Feeling uninspired as a founder is more common than you’d think. In a recent survey by Vistaprint, about a third of business owners said they don’t have the same level of motivation now that they did in the early days of their venture.
Even though I love being a freelance writer, I still struggle to stay motivated from time to time. Here are my best tips for reigniting your passion for your business so you can keep growing it and pushing it forward.
Take a Break
In their study, Vistaprint asked business owners why their motivation dropped off. Most of them said it was stress and lack of work-life balance.
If you’re feeling burnt out, the best thing you can do for your business is take a break. Try to shut off your phone and completely unplug for a day or two. Read books, go for walks, and get away from your computer screen.
Relaxing and doing things that bring you joy outside of work may give you the boost of energy you need to get your business back on track.
Get a Coach or Accountability Partner
When you don’t have a boss, colleagues, and a shared company vision, it can be hard to stay focused on your goals. But you can create a support network for yourself by finding a business coach or accountability partner.
A coach or accountability buddy will check in with you every week or two to make sure you’re accomplishing the tasks and objectives you’ve set for yourself.
Telling someone else about your goals can make you work harder to achieve them, especially if you respect and look up to that person.
Studies have shown that sharing your goals with someone you view as successful is motivating because you care what that person thinks about you. You’ll work harder to exceed their expectations and give them a good overall impression of you.
I’ve had luck finding great business coaches and accountability partners in Facebook groups. But you can also use apps like Supporti to get matched up with someone else who’s trying to achieve ambitious goals this year.
Remember Why You Started Your Business
Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy, so you must have had a compelling reason for starting your business.
I became a freelancer to have a flexible schedule so I could take care of my health and work on recovering from my chronic illnesses. I love that I can take on extra work when I’m feeling my best and rest when I’m sick, which isn’t always possible in a traditional office job.
When you’re feeling unmotivated and uninspired, remember why you decided to embark on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you opened your business to share your art with the world or earn additional income for your child’s college fund, keep that goal at the top of your mind whenever things get tough and let it fuel you.
Everyone gets burnt out and feels unmotivated from time to time. Hopefully these tips can help you turn things around and get excited about your business again.
Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.