Owning and running a business is tough, no doubt about that. The challenges are more as a small business owner because you are yet to figure things out. And, you are yet to have a fully functional team and standardized processes in place.

Moreover, in the post-COVID19 world, things have gotten more challenging and uncertain. The stress combined with the unending list of to-dos can easily make you demotivated. But worry not, every business owner comes across such phases in their lives.

If you are currently in a rut and looking for quick tips to boost your motivation, then read on. Learn about some effective ways that will help you gain your motivation back and start actively working towards your goals.

1. Know your Why

Whenever you are stuck and feel demotivated, going back to your “why” can be of great help. Why did you start your business in the first place? How did you come up with the idea? How did you motivate yourself to get started with your business idea?

Going back and answering these questions will fill you up with the same enthusiasm which was present when you first started your business. Also, by looking back at how and where you get started, you’ll remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished to position your business toward success.

Overall, thinking about your “why” will get you out of your demotivated state and push you to take action.

2. Plan Ahead

Oftentimes, we feel demotivated because we have a fear about the uncertainties waiting for us in the future. You too might feel scared and unmotivated to move forward due to negative thoughts about your future.

The best way to combat this is to plan ahead for negative scenarios. As the saying goes, expect the best and prepare for the worst. You can apply the same for your business too.

One of the main concerns can be running into monetary losses. You can combat this by building multiple income streams that can help you fund your business even during tough times.

You can do this by investing in real estate or using P2P loan marketplaces such as Swaper. You can use mediums such as Airbnb to rent your property. You can also build passive income streams using affiliate marketing and blogging.

Planning for the negative scenarios can help you stay in the game knowing that you are prepared for even the worst times.

3. Get Rid of the Perfectionist in you

The perfectionist in you can be good. But it can also stop you from taking action without perfecting the task. This can put you in an endless cycle of trying to perfect things without taking any definitive action.

Ultimately you’ll burn out, get exhausted, and give up. Hence, consider getting rid of the perfectionist inside you. Just take action without thinking about the consequences. You’ll learn as you grow. Find enjoyment in the challenges you encounter without any pressure, find time to delegate tasks as running a business isn’t always a one-man job, stop comparing yourself to others, and always look at the bigger picture.

By doing all these things, you can defeat the perfectionist side in you, thereby helping you to stay motivated as a small business owner.

4. Eliminate Distractions

Distractions can be the single most demotivating factor for you as a small business owner. When you feel stressed and overwhelmed, distractions can constantly come up. Hence, you should mindfully take steps to eliminate all distractions.

The first step is to identify the distractions. These can be anything from social media apps on your phone to working on menial tasks. Next, work towards keeping these distractions at bay to get motivated to work on your main tasks.

5. Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People

When you are feeling demotivated, you need people just like you to support and get you through these tough times. Talking to family and friends can be nice. But, also take efforts to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners.

There are also private organizations out there that can guide and support your efforts to do business in some fast-growing cities in your state. For example, if you’re planning to explore business opportunities in Washington, D.C., organizations like the Washington DC Economic Partnership and other similar organizations may serve as your industry advisor and advocate to help your small business flourish in the said area. When you work with them, you can gain access to infrastructure, tools, and economic opportunities. Not only that, but you can also build strong relationships with businesses, vibrant communities, and residents.

This way, you’ll get a feeling of belonging and get motivated to move towards your goals. You can even look for an accountability partner to ensure that you stay on track. You can motivate each other during such phases in your entrepreneurial journey.

6. Engage with your Community

As a small business owner, you should always remember that what you do is something more than you. Your business is not just limited to your life, but it impacts your customers’ lives too. When you change your mindset this way, you’ll automatically feel motivated.

You can engage with your customers or your community through social media or emails. When you get in touch with them, you’ll realize what impact you’ve had in their lives. This will again remind you about your “why” and you can use this to move towards your business goals.

Moreover, talking to your customers at a more personal level allows you to obtain feedback that can help you look for ways to boost your small business. It also enables you to generate new ideas, which are essential in achieving your business goals. Lastly, engaging with your customers gives you an opportunity to get to know your customers better and be motivated to provide a better customer experience for them.

7. It’s Okay to Pivot

Sometimes, you might feel demotivated because you are stuck somewhere and you don’t find a way out. When such times arise, it is best to take a step back and think about your path forward.

Instead of trying to work something out, that doesn’t look like the best option anymore, try to pivot and change your decisions. We all make mistakes and it is okay to get out of it by changing your business decision. This will give you the opportunity to grow further.

Final Thoughts

As a small business owner, it is natural to lack motivation and think about things that are going wrong. The best way to get out of this is to take intentional action. The tips provided in this article will definitely help you to get motivated to reach your goals.