Business in recession? 13 ways to regain motivation

Tales from the Crypt of Online Marketing #14

How to get out (and your company) out of a downward spiral
In my previous Tales from the Crypt of Online Marketing, I wrote about the one year anniversary of COVID-19 reaching our world. I shared some of my thoughts on the stress it has caused for most of us.

I also revealed how I fell victim to identity theft not too long ago and how it devastated our lives, forever changing the trajectory of what was to come.

In fact, if it were not for that insidious crime, my business would not have been formed. I would probably continue working in the corporate world. You may not have gone back to school for a business degree.

Sometimes the world we live in can be quite fascinating. And it can also be overwhelming, frustrating, and just plain difficult, especially when it comes to our business.

I’m not sure if it’s because I was painfully reminded of those crimes against us years ago, but truth be told, I’ve been struggling this week in the motivation department.

Maybe you can relate?

One barricade after another keeps appearing.

I solve the problem of an obstacle, and another problem needs to be dealt with.

I have things I know I need to do, but procrastination has been rearing its ugly head, causing unwanted delays.

I have many plans, ideas, and needs, but my energy level to complete them is low.

Have you ever felt like this too?

Where you know you have a lot of things to do but can’t seem to motivate yourself to do them?

But one fire after another is burning low at a time that makes you feel deflated. Ultimately, this can result in lost leads, conversions, and sales.

Truth be told, it’s a fact of life for every entrepreneur and business owner…we’re going to get into these ruts from time to time. We are human after all!

The good news is that this depression can be very temporary… if you choose to.

Yes, it’s your choice.

Because one thing I know for sure is that there is nothing anyone can say or do that will suddenly make me spring back into action!

The only one responsible for that is me.

Fortunately, this isn’t the first time I’ve run into a bit of a lack of motivation, and I know it won’t be the last.

And knowing that helps a lot because it could be very easy to hold on to this funky frame of mind and plummet straight into depression.

So what do I do when this happens?

The first thing is that I recognize that it is happening and I do not punish myself for it.

Of course, I make sure that everything that MUST be done, gets done. If that means pushing myself a little to get my urgent to-do list done, then that’s what I need to do to stay whole not only with myself, but also with our clients and my team.

And if that also means not carrying out the new initiatives you had planned as fast as you wanted, then so be it.

But it also means taking a little time for self-care, self-reflection, and even self-healing if necessary.

How does that look?

I thought I’d share a list of things you can explore the next time you feel this lack of motivation creeping up on you. Many of these are the ones I did this week and I already feel much better!

1. Acknowledge that this feeling is normal and remember that this too shall pass.
2. Open your gratitude journal and write down all the things you are grateful for in terms of your business. The more you focus on the positive, the easier it will be to change your perspective on the negative.
3. Remember your WHY. Why did you start your business to begin with? What purpose are you serving?
4. Review your business objectives or re-clarify them. Goals are great motivators when they are aligned with your WHY.
5. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, lift you up, lift you up. This is one of the roles I play with my consulting clients.
6. Avoid watching the news and reading negativity on social media. It’s the worst for reminding you of everything that hurt the world.
7. Do something that lifts your spirits. Whether it’s going for a walk, bringing up your favorite hobby, or playing with the kids/grandkids, anything that brings you joy will get you going again.
8. Get away for a weekend if possible. I do this every few months when I can. I love checking into a local B&B and taking the time to recharge my batteries. I like to choose B&Bs and boutique inns because it feels good that I’m also supporting small businesses.
9. Use the mornings to your advantage and take care of the critical things on your to-do list, before the weight of the day starts to get you down. Mornings are when most people are most productive, so instead of surfing social media with your morning coffee, focus on the tasks at hand and skip the potential negative influence that could affect the rest of your life. Your day.
10. Take care of yourself by eliminating sugar and high carbohydrates from your diet. Get some exercise, practice intermittent fasting, and get a good night’s sleep. I know this is a loaded suggestion, but it’s well worth the effort. For me, my brain fog is gone and I feel better than ever since I started eating low carb and focusing more on my health. Check out some of the resources below to help.
11. Give yourself a personal reward for doing one thing each day this week that will help your business. Maybe that’s following up with leads, posting some valuable social media posts with a strong call-to-action to contact you, or sending out a newsletter. Whatever it is, set a goal that comes with a reward.
12. Read an inspiring book. Who are the heroes in your life who have inspired you to go into business and fulfill your purpose? Reconnect with that inspiration by reading about them.
13. Read customer reviews and reflect on what it was like to work with that customer. Remember how wonderful it felt to know the impact you have had on them.

I hope this list has inspired you to find a way to stay motivated in your business. Remember, every successful entrepreneur has been through the same thing as you.

If you want your business to survive and thrive, it’s important to realize that your level of motivation plays a key role in your success.

Yes, you will have moments of doubt. We all do! But you have the choice to focus on the doubt or to put that distraction aside and move on. You will be amazed at what you can achieve!

For the success of your business,

Suzanne

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

1. Book: Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek. This book shows that the most influential leaders think, act, and communicate in the same way. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework on which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired. And it all starts with WHY.
2. Book: Find Your Why: A Practical Guide to Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team by Simon Sinek. This book picks up where start with why Stopped. It shows him how to apply the powerful insights of Simon Sinek so that he can find more inspiration at work and, in turn, inspire those around him.
3. Book: Journal Law of Attraction Gratitude. Attract more of what YOU want to create a happy by Dana J. Smithers. This Law of Attraction 52 Week Gratitude Journal is designed to help you bring the principles and tools of the law of attraction into your daily life. You can start any week of the year, just pick it up and start writing.
4. Book: The Obesity Code: Revealing the Secrets of Weight Loss (Why Intermittent Fasting Is the Key to Managing Your Weight) by Dr. Jason Fung. The landmark book by Dr. Jason Fung, a New York Times bestselling author, one of the world’s leading experts on intermittent fasting for weight loss and longevity, whose 5-step plan has helped thousands of people lose weight and achieve healthy durable.
5. Book: The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate, and Extended Fasting by Dr. Jason Fung. Thousands of books have been written on the latest and greatest diets that will help people lose weight and improve their health. But a key element in any successful nutritional health program is a tried and true method that most people haven’t thought of; however, it could be revolutionary in taking health to the next level. This ancient secret is fasting.
6. I’m joined by gratitude expert Dana Smithers to talk about how gratitude can make a big difference in your personal and professional success: How Gratitude is Good for Business.