Getting Down to Business: MOTIVATION

When running a small business it can sometimes be hard to keep the motivation up. Things like working a full time day job, trying new projects that don’t work out or that feeling of inadequacy when comparing yourself to others can all leave you feeling a bit deflated. When your creative business isn’t your main source of income the urgency to get things done can wane and it’s only yourself you have to answer to. This is why it is so important to do anything you can to keep the motivation flowing. Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful.
Take a breakDoing other things when I should be working on Jolly Good stuff can happen all too often and it always leaves me feeling incredibly guilty. Allowing myself some scheduled time off gives me time away from it without the guilt, which means I come back feeling refreshed and usually full of energy and new ideas.
Just do itWhen I’m not taking a break I find it very helpful just to get on with things. After a day at work it can be very tempting to just relax when I get home but if I get straight on with Jolly Good tasks it keeps my energy level up and afterwards I can relax, knowing everything is done and feeling that I really deserve it.
Stay on scheduleI make a To Do list for each week and each day. This gives me overall goals and helps me to split them into more manageable chunks. Having this written down is very important. It means I know what I need to do and don’t have to try and remember everything. Plus it allows me the satisfaction of ticking things off once they’re complete.
Get inspiredSometimes it’s good to step away from your own work and get inspired by others. If I’m having a bit of a creative block I find it useful to take some time out and have a look at a magazine or a quick browse on Pinterest. I do have to be careful with this tough, as it can easily change from inspiration to procrastination or lead to the feelings of inadequacy mentioned before. When this happens it’s better to take a further step back and get away from the computer. Sometimes getting some fresh air can be just as inspiring as looking at great images.
Talk it overOne of the best things I can do if I’m feeling unmotivated about a specific idea or project is to discuss it with someone else. This can be a friend, family member or fellow small business owner, as long as I trust them and their opinion. Having a fresh set of eyes can help me reignite my own interest or help to highlight things that I can work on to improve the idea. Also mentioning an idea to someone else gives an extra layer of accountability. If I don't see it through it's not just me that knows so I'm more likely to keep going with it.
I’m not going to lie, I don’t always take my own advice but these tips have all worked for me at some point so I hope they're of some help to others. If you have any suggestions of techniques that have worked for you, please share.
And, if all else fails, just picture this guy. 
Mr Motivator image via Viva Lifestyle Magazine.