For those of us who have been in business for a while, it can be natural to hit a slump every now and then. It could be because we haven’t seen results in a while, or we’ve lost interest in what we’re doing, or we’re discouraged overall with the trajectory of our business. When that does happen, how do you stay motivated and keep working towards the achievement of your goals?
Motivation is what fuels our actions and helps us to solve problems in our business and cope with the challenges that we face every day. Without that motivation or drive, it can be easy to feel stagnant, but it doesn’t need to stay that way.
Let me now share 7 tips to help you get out of that rut and on your way to crushing your goals!
1. Set Weekly Goals
It can be overwhelming to think of everything you want to accomplish on a yearly, or even monthly basis. By breaking down your goals into smaller, weekly goals, it makes your goals more achievable and easier to manage. Meeting those goals can increase your motivation and give you a sense of accomplishment with each one you conquer.
According to James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, the way to set goals is according to the Goldilocks Rule—by making sure it’s not too easy (or you’ll be easily bored) but also not too challenging (or you’ll lose motivation). The goals you set should be challenging enough without being so difficult you become discouraged. I call these “stretch” goals.
Setting weekly goals also gives you a direction, and a purpose behind the work you’re doing.
2. Revisit Your “Why” Regularly
If you’ve had your business for a while, it can be easy to lose sight of why you started it in the first place. Take time to revisit your “why” and reflect on whether or not your business is fulfilling its original purpose.
If you’ve had to pivot your business, that’s okay too! A great way to remind yourself of your “why” is to write it down. What is the problem you’re setting out to solve with your business? Write it down as a mission or vision statement and put it somewhere you’ll see, like in a picture frame or as your computer screen saver, for a few ideas.
3. Identify What Makes You Feel Most Inspired and Set Aside Time for That Each Week
Sometimes the things that motivate you are not necessarily within your business. You can be motivated by books you read, podcasts you listen to, time you spend journaling, meditation, and things you see other businesses doing.
Figure out what motivates you and set aside time to spend being inspired. Don’t just use leftover time (because let’s be honest, as business owners, we don’t have much leftover time). Set aside an hour or two each week to give yourself space to read, listen, meditate, or journal.
You may be surprised to find how many ideas for your business come out of that intentional inspiration time.
4. Work with an Accountability Partner, Coach, or Group
Having an accountability partner, coach, or group can help you stay motivated with regular meetings or check-ins. As tough as it can be to ask for help as a business owner, there is also so much strength in reaching out to ask for accountability.
If you’re the only one who knows what needs to get done in your business to reach your goals, it can be way too easy to push back deadlines or procrastinate. Having someone to check in with you can help you stay focused and on track to achieving your goals (professional and personal) is very powerful.
Meet regularly and have specific actions you want to accomplish by the next time you meet. That way, you’ve got actual deliverables to show up with, and it’ll keep you motivated in between the time when you will talk to them again.
5. Surround Yourself with Other Business Owners
Sometimes all it takes to get out of a rut is to be surrounded by like-minded people who are chasing their own dreams and goals. It’s definitely a balance and may take some reflection to make sure that you’re motivated by the people you surround yourself with, not discouraged because you aren’t doing as much as they are.
When you have a group of people, especially business owners who can relate to you and you can relate to them, in your community (in person or virtual communities), it can be the push you need to stay driven towards your goals.
6. Reward Yourself for Reaching Your Goals, Big or Small
If you’re working constantly but not getting rewarded for it, it can be easy to lose motivation! When you set your goals, establish rewards as well. It could be anything as small as taking yourself out to a nice dinner to booking a mini getaway for a couple of nights.
Achieving a goal may be motivating enough for some people, but if it isn’t, add a little extra incentive for yourself! In particular, if you have tasks that you aren’t particularly motivated to get to, you can reward yourself for getting them done.
7. Set Specific Deadlines for Yourself
As a business owner, you set your own deadlines, and sometimes that means no deadlines at all. It can be easy to push things off, especially if you aren’t feeling particularly driven. Structure your workday the same way you would if you worked for someone else—with goals and specific deadlines.
Additionally, when you have deadlines for your tasks, there’s an end in sight. You know exactly when you need to complete your work, and you’ll be motivated to move on from it once it’s completed.
Maintaining motivation and drive isn’t always easy, but by following these seven tips, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more prepared to knock off tasks to reach your goals. Once you’ve implemented one or all of these tips, write down the ones that worked the best for you and go back to them if you ever hit a roadblock in the future. Set yourself up for success and you’ll rediscover your motivation.
For more help with your “Why”, reach out to me today and schedule your complimentary consultation, so you can create your ideal business and ideal life.
Want more business success tips and resources? Subscribe to my blog by going to www.acountabilitycoach.com/blog.
Aim for what you want each and every day!
Go to https://www.accountabilitycoach.com to check out for yourself how I, as your Accountability Coach™, can help you get and stay focused on you highest payoff activities that put you in the highest probability position to achieve your professional and personal goals, so you can enjoy the kind of business and life you truly want and deserve.
Get your daily Accountability Minute shot of a single, simple, doable idea, so you can start your day off on the "right foot". You can find The Accountability Minute on https://www.accountabilitycoach.com/my-podcast/ as well as on most podcast platforms and in most English-speaking countries.
Take advantage of all the complimentary business tips and tools by joining the Free Silver Membership on https://www.accountabilitycoach.com/coaching-store/inner-circle-store/.
To help you stay focused and on track to achieving your goals, check out these other high-value resources.
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel with business success principles (https://www.youtube.com/annebachrach)
- Connect with me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheAccountabilityCoach)
- Connect with me on Linked-in (https://www.linkedin.com/in/annebachrach)
- Connect with me on Pinterest (https://pinterest.com/resultsrule/)
- Connect with me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/annebachrach/)
Check out my proven business accelerator resources by going to https://www.accountabilitycoach.com/coaching-store/.
Author many books, including, Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule, Live Life with No Regrets, No Excuses, and the Work Life Balance Emergency Kit, The Roadmap To Success with Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard, and more.