How to Stay Motivated When You Run Your Own Creative Business
Running your own business can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be very challenging. There will be times when you feel motivated and inspired, and there will be times when you feel discouraged and overwhelmed and wanting to hide away from it all. It's important to have a plan for what happens when you can’t do it all.
Over the last few weeks I have been struggling with motivation for anything much, not least getting the tasks done in my business that need to get done. So I thought I’d share my own ways of pushing on through, or building in ways to maintain consistency whilst I take a break behind the scenes.
I want to note that sometime your lack of motivation can be a signal that you’re heading to burn out, or that you really do need to take a break. No-one can do all the things all the time, especially if as a business of one you’re the one making the things, doing the admin, planning your social media, packing and posting orders, offering customer service, being your IT manager, keeping up to date with your accounts, and so on, and all whilst trying to maintain some sort of overall business strategy.
My top 10 tips for staying motivated
Here are a few tips for staying motivated when you run your own business:
Have a clear vision and mission for your business. What are you trying to achieve with your business? What problem are you trying to solve? When you have a clear vision and mission, it will be easier to stay motivated when things get tough.
Set goals and track your progress. Having specific goals to work towards will help you stay focused and motivated. When you track your progress, you can see how far you've come and be proud of your accomplishments.
Take breaks and recharge. It's important to take breaks when you're working hard. Get away from your work for a while, do something you enjoy, and come back refreshed and ready to focus.
Celebrate your successes. When you achieve a goal or make progress, take some time to celebrate your success. I like to print out kind words from past clients, or re-read glowing testimonials – all things that give you a real boost if you’re feeling low.
Find a support system. Having a support system of other entrepreneurs or business owners can be very helpful. They can offer advice, encouragement, and support when you need it most, especially because they will ‘get it’. All of us have experienced the extreme highs and lows of running our own businesses and are uniquely placed to offer that support.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to small business owners, such as a business coach like me or and online communities.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating and exercising. Self-care is a vital part of being a successful entrepreneur. My twice daily dog walks are intrinsic to my own well-being – being out in nature refreshes me and lifts my mood.
Believe in yourself. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and your business. If you believe in yourself, you will be more likely to succeed.
Plan ahead. I like to have at least two or three ready prepared blog posts and social media posts that I can push out when I don’t feel inspired to write them some weeks, or am too busy with clients. Having a bank of prepared material means you can present consistency to the outside world, yet take the down time if you need it.
Understand failure is part of the process. Often we lack motivation due to losing a job or client we really wanted, or not see the enquiries we would like. But no successful business owner has got there without them. Once you can accept they happen you can use them to spur you on. Reframing them as simply one step on the way to where you ultimately will be.
As a creative business owner lack of motivation also comes from lack of inspiration or feeling like you’ve done it all before. So here are some further tips on overcoming that ennui:
Take a break. Sometimes all you need is a break from your work to clear your head and come back to it with fresh eyes. Go for a walk, listen to some music, or do something else that you enjoy.
Do something else creative. If you're feeling stuck with one project or outlet, try working on something else for a while. This can help you to get your creative juices flowing again. Looking at things in different ways or in different mediums to your chosen field, is often all that’s needed.
Look for inspiration. Read books, watch movies, or listen to music that inspires you. Visit museums or art galleries. Spend time in nature. Surround yourself with beauty and creativity.
Talk to other creative people. Sometimes talking to other creative people can help you to get inspired. Share your work with others and get their feedback. Attend creative events or workshops.
Set small goals. When you're feeling uninspired, it can be helpful to set small goals for yourself. Taking action, however small, can create a snowball effect and get you motivated again in manageable increments.
Reward yourself. When you reach a small goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay positive and motivated. It could be something as simple as a coffee and cake, or taking the afternoon off.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Sometimes the best way to get inspired is to experiment. Try new things and see what happens. You might be surprised at what you come up with.
Don't give up. It's normal to feel uninspired sometimes. But don't let it stop you from creating. Keep working at it and you will eventually find your inspiration again.
Do give up. Yes you read that right (and contrary to what I put above), sometimes just saying ‘I’m not feeling it today, it’s right to step away for a bit’ is really really important. You need to feel in control of your business, not the other way round. You know yourself best, and if forcing it isn’t working, then taking a break is sometimes the only way forward.
Remember this is YOUR business – you get to decide what’s best for it and for yourself.
And if you’d like help with strategising in your business because you find it hard to be consistent, or know that your work ebbs and flows and how to manage that when working with clients or selling your work, then do book a free discovery call below.
