One of my favorite questions I receive through social media messages or workshop surveys is about my level of motivation. Outwardly, I can see why other people would think I’m a highly motivated individual. I definitely don’t deny my own motivation that largely stems from passion and creative energy, but sustaining that motivation is the product of specific strategies. I’m sharing my top ten tips for both finding and maintaining motivation for any small business owner.
1. Really, really want it.
It sounds silly to second guess how bad you really want to achieve a goal you set, but drive often dictates success. I’ve consulted so many small business owners who lacked passion or a long term vision. Without those characteristics, the business owner usually burns out quickly and often wastes time and money in the process. Your passion for your good or service has to be realistic and sustainable to make launching your small business idea feasible. Review your motives for starting. If they are purely financial or based on trends, you might want to sit out this venture.
2. Produce, even when you don’t feel inspired.
I’ve spent months in what I would identify as a creative block. If I failed to produce anything during that time, my business would suffer because I would cease to be relevant with my following. Whether you’re a maker, a writer, a photographer, or anything in between, continue to create work even when you don’t feel inspiration or productivity at their peak. I’ve recycled hundreds of photos months after they were taken because I suddenly saw them in a new light or may have discovered a new way to edit them. Even if what you create never ends up in front of client, you will build a stockpile of ideas that can be manipulated and likely be of assistance in the future.
3. Surround yourself with creative people.
Because my work centers around digital communications, I’ve built countless online relationships. Whether you’re meeting digitally or connecting in person, it is important to regularly converse with creative and stimulating individuals. Not every relationship you have with a creative person will spark a direct line of inspiration nor will they result in partnerships, but ongoing dialogue with others in your industry or who “get” the challenges of small business owners will help you problem-solve more effectively in the long run. Attend local meetups, join Facebook groups, or create your own forum for creative networking. The key to benefiting from these actions is your participation. Don’t be a passive observer; be an active contributor and listener in these communities.
4. Play into your own strengths, then outsource.
Many small business owners are single person shops. When trying to tackle all facets of business yourself, your ultimate craft and customer experience may suffer – especially if you’re maintaining a side hustle. While it may not be practical to put someone on the payroll, hiring out certain tasks is an essential action for small businesses. Focus solely on the activities no one else can provide such as creating the product or offering a service. If you’re struggling with time management or maintaining motivation, outsourcing the tasks that don’t excite you or that distract from your main craft may help your process.
5. Set two specific goals.
Each year, I used to set a long list of goals for myself and for my business. I realized that I was creating a to-do list for myself that really had nothing to do with long-term achievement; I was merely listing tasks I wanted to complete. I believe business owners should set two goals a year. One goal should solely focus on you as the founder, CEO, whatever you call yourself. The second should focus on improvement of the good or service you offer. Both goals should define an audience of impact, be measurable, have a timeline, and refer to your brand’s mission and/or vision.
6. Create personal incentives.
When struggling to maintain motivation, I often find it helpful to create a system of incentives for myself. If I accomplish a specific task that is challenging or daunting or I meet a sales goal, I will have a work-free weekend or allow myself to purchase something I may not need, but definitely want. I don’t love the idea of creating a system of rewards because they are often juxtaposed with punishment and negative self talk if they are not attained, but I believe that setting benchmarks and truly reveling in your accomplishments are necessary actions for a business owner. It is so important to not beat yourself up if you do not meet a goal and achieve that incentive. Further, it is crucial to hold yourself accountable and not bend your standards in the process by either lowering the bar or changing the incentive.
7. Establish clarity and direction.
When mapping out a plan for a certain task or even your yearly vision, it is important to be as specific as possible. If you don’t have a brand statement that addresses who you are, what you provide, who you serve, and your intended impact, create one. All of your goals and plans should support that brand statement. If you can’t tie a checklist item back to that statement, it might not be worth your time. Creating and referring to the statement will help you be more intentional with how you spend your time as a business owner and will likely contribute to a more meaningful good or service.
8. Maintain authenticity in your image.
Business ownership should be stimulating, but it should not be overly challenging. You will undoubtedly encounter obstacles and experience learning curves, but these complications are surmountable with passion. Being authentic in branding your business, including your digital presence, is something that should come naturally and takes one more item off your to-do list if you do not spend too much time trying to be someone or create something that you’re not. For example, the photos for this post were taken on the way to dinner at a public library near my house. My dress and bag were $10. I didn’t go out of my way to stage a scene that wasn’t real or unattainable just for the purpose of creating a nice post. I find myself connecting with brands who feel approachable and realistic in their presentation. Your content, your product, your service matters more.
9. Recognize your limits and follow through.
One of the biggest barriers to motivation is stretching yourself too thin. If a business owner takes on too many projects, the output often suffers or tasks are neglected. Motivation is likely to stay high when you are experiencing success. While all business owners experiences challenges, you are more likely to succeed if you maintain a balance of responsibilities and do not force yourself to do too much. Creativity is often stifled when I feel overwhelmed, and I don’t always follow through with all of my commitments. If you’re not excited about a project or a new direction for your business, don’t pursue it. After all, that’s the best benefit of being the boss.
10. Intentionally review your decisions and accomplishments routinely.
Intent was definitely an overused power word in 2017. If we focus on the sentiment behind the word that encourages us to be thoughtful and purposeful in our actions, small business owners have much room for growth. It is often thought of as prideful to discuss successes. In reviewing both your successes and shortcomings as a small business owner, you can begin to identify gaps in process that hindered your ability to perform and meet goals. Further, you can replicate or modify actions that led to achievements. Ultimately, your confidence in your actions will increase your success and help you sustain motivation.
