Surviving The Roller Coaster Of Entrepreneurship: 5 Tips To Stay Motivated
Entrepreneurship is similar to a random hand wave from a stranger across the room…you're not too sure it's for you, but you think…how could it not be….so you take the chance and wave back….ultimately to find out that your inner voice was right all along….the wave was not meant for you! Haha….kidding….but now I have your attention.
That said, it's not for the faint of heart, it requires a thick skin, patience beyond belief to get you through the ups and downs, and sure some motivation to keep going when you're down. However the KEY factor isn't motivation….it's CONSISTENCY, but I think motivation is best wording for the title because everyone is looking for motivation as the keyword, HA.
Consistency is what you need in order to stay in the game. Motivation is fleeting and you're not always in control of it…but you can be in control of whether or not you continue to show up!
Here's a few quick tips to help you along the journey from a couple of entrepreneurs to other entrepreneurs:
Failure Is A Lesson
I've learned many lessons in life from opportunities I've had which didn't always work out as I expected them to. Some may see these as failures, but the lessons I learned are invaluable. I was able to spot areas of weakness in how I worked, how I handled stress, what areas were my strengths, and where I needed to do more learning. All of these lessons I carry with me into new opportunities which help to make me a bit better each time I take on something new.
So the next time you've planned how things will go in your business, your social media goals, etc., remember to take a step back, look at the bigger with the lens of a 3rd party, be patient with yourself. Point out the areas for the correction, but also identify the areas where you CRUSHED IT, because they are there….even in the midst of what you consider as a failure.
Small Wins Along The Way Keep You Consistent
Some say Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. I say it's an ULTRAMARATHON, nothing less, nothing more. So in order to keep yourself consistent, set small goals along the way and when you inevitably CRUSH them, celebrate the small wins! Appreciate your progress along the way, because if you didn't know, that's where all the magic happens! Once you get to the end goal, after the initial shock effect of making it, you're looking for “the next thing”.
Curate Your Surroundings With Positivity
If there's ONE thing you take away from this blog…TAKE THIS. Many of us are privileged enough to curate the spaces we are in, your social media feeds, who you engage with in your personal life, what you eat, what you wear, etc. So if you are one of these privileged folks, take advantage of it. Surround yourself with people who will root for you taking a chance to do something outside of your comfort zone. Those people will be the ones to anchor you in your efforts when you need it, because they'll be no shortage of people who want to tell you how to you “CAN'T” get it done. We don't need them around us, those people who won't take risks for themselves don't want you to either….leave them where they are. We can't take everyone on our growth journeys and we don't NEED to.
Breaks Are Allowed
I'm one of those people who use the term, work-life balance…if you cringed at that…doesn't bother me much, HA. But whatever you call in, running your own business is an all consuming business, and not allowing yourself to have breaks to rest and recharge will do you no favors. I make time during each day to get outside and walk, take in some sun, this is one way I recharge. That might look different for you, that's okay, the point is to ensure that you allow time to rest and recharge however you need to. This will help you long term to self regulate emotions when things get tough, it'll help you to come back with a fresh mind and fresh ideas, and more!
Don't Be Rigid, Enjoy The Ride
I love a good routine and once I lock one down….it's usually good for a few months, but life happens, and it always eventually changes. Pay attention to your needs mentally and physically and be flexible with adjustments needed in order to keep you sane on the journey that is Entrepreneurship.
Laugh at yourself, don't take yourself too seriously, and remember that the magic happens on the way to meeting your goals! Tag us at @mycreatorteam and let us know the last lesson you learned from a “failure” you endured!