Remember how you felt when you first started your business? It was a bit like embarking on a new relationship. The combination of nerves and excitement, wanting to spend every waking minute on it. Even the most mundane aspect was thrilling – do you recall the buzz of preparing your first invoice?
But somewhere down the line, the passion starts to wane. Boredom sets in. Is it time to call it quits?
Before you decide to kiss your business goodbye, try these tips to help bring the passion back.
Remember Why You Started
Think back to when you first started, and the reason for setting up your own business. Maybe you had a calling to help others, or perhaps you simply wanted the independence and flexibility of being your own boss.
Whatever the reason, remind yourself why you set out on this path in the first place. Celebrate the journey you’ve been on so far and recognise every little milestone you’ve achieved along the way.
Ditch the Dull Stuff
Many business owners reach a point where they find themselves bogged down with the things they hate doing. Whether that’s social media, or doing the accounts, we all have those things that we’d rather not do.
Make a list of these. Are they essential? If they aren’t, stop doing them! It sounds obvious, but many continue doing these tasks simply because they feel they should.
If they are essential, then outsourcing and automation are your friends. Make sure you document the processes involved so that you can easily hand these tasks to someone else.
Go All In
Sometimes the best way to start loving your business is to change your mindset. Instead of viewing it with negativity, make a conscious choice to put all your energy into it.
Develop ambitious plans for the future – after all, it’s your business so you get to control where it goes.
Collaborate with others with complementary businesses. Working with others can bring new perspectives and fresh ideas, and potentially open up new markets to you.
Seek new opportunities or develop your skill set. Learn something new or deepen your knowledge on a particular aspect of your business.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to spend. Invest wisely in the right tools, training and delegation, and your business will repay you well.
Re-evaluate
Finally, take a good look at your business. Are you just frustrated with the humdrum, or have you truly fallen out of love with it? Have you deviated from your original path and ended up going in a different direction? If this isn’t working for you, then get yourself back on track.
Sometimes however, there’s no going back. If so, there’s no shame in giving it up and starting afresh if your business is no longer bringing you joy. Much like any relationship, you’ll know when it’s time to say goodbye.
