I’ve been an entrepreneur all my life and I’ve never had a problem staying up, focused and motivated.
I’ve found that the secret to staying positive and motivated is not about being self disciplined, it’s about knowing yourself enough to know what excites you. If you figure that out, staying passionate, up and in the game becomes a cinch.
With that said, there are times when I’ve experienced slumps in my productivity. If left unchecked, this pattern can quickly escalate and leave you feeling less than proactive
If you allow your momentum to slow down, it can be a struggle to get it going again.
Many of my clients tell me that it’s not always easy to stay motivated all of the time. They find themselves feeling overwhelmed or stuck, especially during periods of low energy.
Being a solo-preneur requires focused energy. For those times when your resolve and passion may be less than favorable, I’ve put together 4 of my best tips on how to get yourself back in the saddle.
1- Go With The Flow
A young man came to visit an older man for counseling. One day he asked the older man how he maintained such inner peace.
The old man led him into another room and showed him a fragile little sea shell. “What are you showing me?” the young man said.
The old man replied,”Many years ago, I lost everything in the great depression. I went to the ocean to commit suicide, but the waves were high and I was thrown back onto the shore.
After about the fifth time, as I lay on the beach exhausted, I opened my eyes and I saw a tiny little fragile shell, pink and shiny in the sun. It was intact and unbroken.
I thought, how was it possible for this fragile shell to survive such pounding and remain unbroken?
I realized that the shell had gone with the current and not against it. That shell has taught me how to live life – to go with the current, and not against it.”
When you find yourself unmotivated, don’t allow it to get you down. Trust that everything will work out okay.
Take more time for yourself. You are human, not an automaton. Sleep a little longer. Allow more time for mindfulness meditation. Read something new, or go for a walk. Most of all, remember to let go and go with the flow.
If you are down right now, don’t worry. Trust that your motivation will soon return.
2 – Get Your Body Moving
When someone asked Sir Richard Branson what was his number one secret to productivity, without hesitation he said, “Get your body moving.”
When I’m feeling in a spiritual or emotional funk, I stop what I’m doing and I head to the gym. When I get home I notice that I have a complete new outlook on my work and projects. I feel like a new man!
I am acutely aware of the correlation between my body, mind and spirit and how critical it is to maintain an alignment.
When my body is in motion, my mind and emotions are also in motion, or e-motion.
If you feel unmotivated, get your body moving – the rest will follow.
3- Take Action
Talk to yourself out loud. Talk to yourself as if you were your own motivational speaker or life coach. Tell yourself to tackle a small goal. Say, “I can do it!”
Break small tasks down to even smaller tasks. Do whatever keeps your brain focused and the momentum going.
Stop and visualize your goal clearly for at least 5-10 minutes.
Identify one thing you can do, which takes minimal time/effort, that will allow you to experience fulfillment while moving you toward your ultimate goal.
Or, imagine yourself at the end of your day, when you’re just about to fall asleep. Picture yourself feeling extremely satisfied and happy because you achieved what you set out to do. What was that one thing that gave you this sense of accomplishment? With this new awareness, take action on it!
Nothing motivates you more than taking action. As long as you’re taking action, you’re making progress.
Remember, the action doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to be big, and you don’t have to get it right, you just have to get it going.
4- Get a coach
A coach helps you decide what you want, and helps you formulate the plan to get there. The more clear you are on what you want to have in your life, the more likely you are to achieve it.
Very few people (if any) achieve anything great alone. Sports stars have teammates and coaches. A coach encourages you, celebrates your wins and keeps you motivated.
Tell me how you stay motivated. Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear from you!
