How to Find MOTIVATION to Grow Your Business, Even in Uncertain Times
/HELLO BEAUTIFUL ENTREPRENEUR FRIEND!
We are living in an unusual time, no? And perhaps with a worldwide pandemic at the top of the news, you’re feeling unsure of how to approach your business, or maybe struggling with finding motivation to keep focused!
I have some SPARKS for you today! And a challenge. To keep your business and motivation strong.
Let's remember something important together… well before this pandemic, there were always issues and problems and diseases and hurdles, right? Big or small, personal or worldwide.
The main difference is that it was easier to look away if and when the impact didn’t hit you directly.
And though all worldwide struggles make my heart hurt (I’m highly empathetic and love to give back) I’ve had to LEARN over time to lean into the opportunity in front of me and move forward with the passions on my plate, not carry the weight of the world.
Since I've been watching other current entrepreneurs and leaders express their cycle of feelings (from grief and disappointment to "let's gear up and go big!" mode) it would only be logical to guess that you're feeling some of the same ups and downs...
...and that we need "sparks of motivation" to keep us going in this new norm -- a new norm that quite frankly feels a little mundane.
We are needed! From our friends and family to our clients, we are valuable tools.
So what we don’t need to do is curl up in a ball and hide. Not that we all don’t want to sometimes! And not that downtime or processing-time isn’t important. It is extra important these days.
But those moments should be just that… momentary struggles, not lost-battles on bringing what we have to the table or keeping our businesses, missions, and passions moving forward.
Because one thing I’m 100% sure is the SAME now as it was before… and that is who you were made to be.
The gifts, talents, interests, and personality of YOU. Those things were given to you to help fulfill a purpose or contribute to an industry or encourage others or help the economy or to solve a problem or to be a light (or all of those things combined!).
Now, you might not be exactly the same.
In fact, you might be stronger.
Because hardships help us grow.
Problems give us the opportunity to become problem-solvers.
Resilience and courage are learned things, muscles in our brain that grow as they are tested.
How can you continue to grow in courage, wisdom, and resilience? (to become the person + powerhouse business owner I know you can be!!)
How can you create a new norm that meets the little and big needs of where you’ve been planted?
What needs to change in your routine to keep you motivated and sharp, with that genuine spark of purpose & joy?
We can’t change our circumstances.
In fact, unique to this situation -- we can’t even change where we’re planted at the moment. Literally, we are called, as much as possible, to STAY IN PLACE (physically).
But we can GROW. And we can blossom and bring beauty and life to this world, with our roots planted deep, right where they're at.
It's ok if you need to let the process be slow... but don’t stop the process.
Your business needs you. Your clients (or future clients!) need you. Your family and friends need you.
So here's my CHALLENGE for you, and it comes with self-made SPARKS to keep you burning strong! (Do the work if you want to excel!) >>>
Make a list… right now… a list of what you need to feel inspired and motivated.
Little things like taking a walk or drinking water asap, before you go for your caffeine! Project-inspired things like rearranging your work space or creating new encouraging, truth-based affirmations to read daily. Bigger things like choosing to write a card to a friend once a week or pitching a story to a local news show.
And ADD to that list what you need to, what you must do even when you DON’T feel inspired and motivated. Maybe it’s picking the most fun thing off your to-do list and knocking that out first, rather than the priority things, just to make you START. Maybe it’s taking on a small passion-project you’ve set aside, but right now might fuel you to do other things as well.
Because TAKING ACTION is often what fuels us in the first place, whether we feel like it or not.
What is going to be on your list? What do you KNOW you need to add or change or mix-up in your life or business?
Because here's the thing... you have (or had) a BIG DREAM. And it's doing the right little things (and doing them well) that help us achieve the right BIG THINGS. I cannot emphasize that enough.
So if you want your business to grow, even in uncertain times -- ACT, DO, SMILE, GROW, LEARN, SHOW UP. Even when you don’t feel like it. Even as you empathize with the world around you. Because if you have the opportunity, it is a GIFT. Don’t give up on that gift.
Try making the list -- and sticking with it!
Truth be told -- pandemic or not, as entrepreneurs, we need these prompts, these routines, these personal little bite-sized disciplines in our life daily. We need to bring our own motivation and affirmation -- often there's no one else cheering us on.
Let these little sparks fuel you on! Step up with your END GOAL in mind.
Adding small disciplines of routine to my life has gone a long way for my business.. So perhaps this encouragement will help you today as well.
To sum things up…
Pick some new staples in your life and make them a routine.
Let go of other norms and be ok with it — have lots of grace with yourself.
And take action daily that aligns with your core purpose, whether you feel like it or not!
Your business will thank you for using this unusual time to grow and power forward, and you’ll be setting yourself apart as the kind of entrepreneur that is truly set up to succeed.
In This With You -- With Purpose & Joy!
-Shannon
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