How to get your mojo back

When just the thought of working on your business causes your heart to sink simply taking the afternoon off isn’t going to change things. The worst thing to do is say ‘it’s just a phase’ and wait for things to improve they might but when? The only sure way out of this is to take action.

For most business owners the opportunity to talk about their business, share their expertise or experiences and interact with potential customers, partners and suppliers is hugely positive and motivating – so this first tip is a simple case of doing – whether you normally network once a month or once a week, do more – new people, new experiences, new environments is the quickest way to get that boost.

With the recent explosion in online networking, removing the barriers of travel time and distance, there is no reason why you couldn’t network every day of the week.

It's important to not think of this time as ‘selling’ – selling for most people creates a sense of expectation and pressure – frankly taking the fun out of the whole experience

How about a setting yourself a 5% challenge? Spend 5% of your time each week meeting new people, that’s 2 hours out of a 40-hour week. Do that for the next month or two and see what happens!

If you have a team of people working in your business you may have become detached from the day to day, focusing on leading and managing others. Taking some time out to go back to the front line is a great way to reinvigorate yourself.

Working on projects, getting out to see customers, spending time among your team can reconnect you with the great products/services you provide to customers.

Think about how you are currently spending your working day, really – hour by hour, it may come as a surprise how much time you are doing on the things you hate.Delegating (or outsourcing) is not only great for productivity it enables you to cut out tasks which you really don't want to do, so why not leave it to the experts.

If those draining tasks aren’t obvious filling in a time log for a week or two will give you a detailed picture of how you actually spend your day. Keeping a time log may seem like lots of work, particularly if you are recording your activity in 15 min slots, yet the greater the level of detail you capture will enable you to see where your time and energy drains are.

Sounds strange right! Yet it may be that having achieved goals in your business you simply aren’t interested in just doing a bit more - what would happen if you set a goal for 10X more? Chances are you would need to implement significant changes in your business to achieve this – new products, channels, markets – one thing is certain this approach would drive you way out of your comfort zone and could be just the kick you need to get you fired up!

If your BIG goal doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable, then you are not thinking BIG enough.

If you can’t put your finger on anything inside your business perhaps it’s just how you are feeling in general. Perhaps its time to challenge yourself by learning something new – a different language, playing the guitar, take up golf lessons.

Challenging your physical or creative side can really lift your mood and setting a new type of goal can boost motivation in everything you do, including your work.

You could implement any or all of the above by yourself, but will you? Honestly?

If your motivation is low perhaps you need someone else as both as a sounding board and accountability partner to help you to face the issue, make a plan and ensure you see it through.

Mentors can be through a formal or informal arrangement, informal mentoring relationships can be great to provide support however if you are looking for someone to help with a completely objective and structured approach a professional mentor is a worthwhile investment.

The Association of Business Mentors (ABM) is the professional association working to improve and professionalise business mentoring across the UK. Members are all business owners who have probably been in your shoes and can offer support and guidance to drive your business forward.

You can search the register of members here https://www.associationofbusinessmentors.org/pages/2-find-a-mentor

Rather than action, this one is about reflection. Getting back to the purpose of your business.

When Simon Sinek gave his TEDx talk in 2009 ‘How great leaders inspire action’ he introduced the golden circle, demonstrating that we often spend our time and energy focusing on WHAT we do and HOW we do it and very little time connecting with WHY we do it. If you haven’t seen that TEDtalk (or seen it lately) it is worth watching it again https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?

Instead of applying it to leading/engaging others, use it to inspire yourself.

The word inspire comes from the Latin, meaning “to breathe life into.” so when you are working toward things that inspire you, it literally makes you feel more alive.

If you have strayed from your WHY or you had never considered it for your business perhaps it’s time to work on this as a foundation to rebuild your motivation.

Whatever you decide to do, don't delay - taking action is the quickest way to get your mojo back.

Janet Doran , is a member of the Association of Business Mentors and works as a Business Coach/Mentor supporting small business owners in creative and professional service industries to build and grow their business. To explore us working together on your business please get in touch janet@thepositivepenco.uk

Find out more at www.thepositivepen.co.uk or call 07505 120051

Posting daily, information/inspiration for small business owners, on twitter @ thepositivepen