Running a business has tons of advantages, and challenges – it’s vital to maintain your focus and sanity through the ups and downs.
Here are a few of the best ways to stay motivated and happy as a business owner;
1. Reduce the stress. When a crisis arises, ask yourself if it will really matter in a week, a month or a year. The answer is usually no.
2. Get outside. Even if you have to find Wi-Fi and do some work and kill two birds with one stone, a major change in scenery is always reinvigorating.
3. Reflect on the things you’re grateful for. Focus on how much you’ve already achieved.
4. Turn your phone off for set amounts of time each day. Or set it to stop buzzing every time you get a new email. Designate certain times every day to deal with your messages and stick to those boundaries.
5. Help someone solve a problem. Use your unique expertise or network to help someone else and you’ll be surprised at how much it will motivate you.
6. Improve your health. If making time for exercise seems impossible, schedule walking meetings and phone calls or get out in the community and meet some potential new clients.
7. Schedule rewarding activities. “To remain happy as a small business owner, I schedule things that make me happy just as I would a meeting with my sales team or marketing department, I schedule lunch with my husband” and “kickboxing lessons at least three times a week” plus “ice cream afternoons with my youngest…” – Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet
8. Stop the envy. “I stopped comparing myself to the businesses and people I aspire to resemble, I have no idea what their struggles were or what their journey was like. I kept the focus on my growth and that’s it.” – Chris Piper, co-founder of ZoomStand
9. Cultivate peace and fun in yourself and others. People are complicated and everyone makes mistakes. Find the humor in things every day.
10. Make achievable goals. “At the end of each day, make a list of things you will be working on tomorrow, it feels great to check those things off the list.” – Linda Artz, manager of LAStudio55
11. Do less. “I only schedule one deliverable per day – no more trying to complete multiple projects in 24 hours, and no more trying to experience everything that is happening in the city, bouncing from event to event without being fully present at the event I’m currently attending.” – Jessica Greenwalt, founder of Pixelkeet
12. Delegate ASAP. Focus on your strengths and outsource your weaknesses.
13. Network with other small business owners. “It’s a great way to learn through shared experience, and receive support you’d normally get from mentors or coworkers at a bigger company.” – Jennifer Lohr, attorney at Lohr Law Office
14. Manage your inputs. There’s no reason to drive up your stress by watching politicians fight, or to encourage drama through gossip.
15. Trust your gut. “At the end of the day, think of anything that happened that pulled you away from your ‘authentic self.’ If you had a meeting and found yourself saying something you didn’t really believe, make a note of it. By being aware of those moments, they’ll naturally happen less, leading to more happiness and confidence in what you’re doing.” says Myke Nahorniak, co-founder and CEO of Localist
