For when your get-up-and-go has got-up-and-gone

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

When you first open your business or start a new job, it’s easy to be motivated. You’ve got goals, energy, ambition and dreams. Alongside that, the string of successes keeps you engaged – the first sale, the first bulk order, the first time you pay yourself a wage or win a new client. But eventually that buzz will wear off, and it’s going to be harder to lever yourself out of bed every morning.

So what is motivation and where does it go? It isn’t how much energy you have, or how early you wake up in the morning. It is simply the ‘why’ behind the energy or early morning starts, fueling the late nights, the weekend work and extended periods between holidays. It’s the reason we do things (pro tip: it’s not money, it’s much deeper than that). Without that drive, it’s easier to give into our baser instincts – stay in bed, have a drink, flick on the TV.

Why do we lose motivation?

There are three main reasons that business owners lose their motivation.

It’s no longer challenging

When you first started out, that constant growth and escalating pattern of ‘firsts’ kept you going. It was exciting, pushing you to do more, reach another goal, another first. Over time, those challenges become the status quo, just part of every day. You’re no longer pushing yourself, keeping the excitement going. You’re treading water, and that can quickly become mundane. And when boredom strikes, it’s far easier to hang out on IG than tackle another round of invoicing.

You’re exhausted

A business or a busy job can often feel like you’re on call 24/7. Even when you’re on holiday, there’s no easy off-button, so your brain never really gets a chance to rest. That can be exhausting and when you’re mentally or physically tapped out, you’ll find yourself slugging through the day, doing the bare minimum.

Exhausted – but don’t you dare give up.

You’ve had a setback

In life and business, problems and setbacks happen. When a client backs out of a deal, a customer complains, you let your boss down or the economy falters, it can really take the wind out of your sails, and make you feel like hiding in bed.

How to get motivated once it’s gone

Luckily, there are ways to rebuild your motivation once it’s gone, and it’s not that difficult.

Set goals and remind yourself why you do what you do

Remember why you started your business or took the role you’re in? It wasn’t because you wanted the easy option.

Revisiting these core reasons might reignite your passion. Go back to those first goals. If they need revising, do so. Get rid of the ones that aren’t serving you any more and set short-term, mid-term and long-term goals that keep you going when the motivation ebbs.

Celebrate the wins

Cast your mind back to the beginning, when you first started your business, or first joined the company – see how far you’ve come? This will help you by giving you something to celebrate – a little bit of positivity goes a long way.

Do something different to break up the monotony

KonMari your office. Change your morning routine. Chase a new, exciting client. Find a cool new supplier. Upskill into a new role. Attend a conference. Find something new and exciting, and mix it up a bit. This might be enough to tip you over into a new source of energy.

Talk to others

Talk to your peers. It might be industry peers, business owner peers, or even friends, but they’ll all offer unique perspectives and insights.

You can also use these people as a source of positive peer pressure. If you have a goal, ask them to help keep you accountable.

Do something other than work

Take a look at the word: recreation. By taking time off, and giving yourself a real break, you re-create yourself, refilling the mental tank, so you’re ready for the next challenge.

Shifting your focus from 100% business and work can put life in perspective. It might feel counterintuitive, but taking a break might push you into productivity.

Re-discover a hobby: golf, baking, music, movies, bushwalking, surfing or simply spending time with your kids. Take a break. It’s ok.

Plan a holiday or reward

If you can’t take a holiday, book one for some time in the future. It gives you something to look forward to, and plan for. Suddenly, the slow but steady growth (and planning for your absence) becomes far more exciting.

If you truly can’t take a holiday, reward yourself in another way. Rewards account for 75% of why you do something. A massage and facial, a long weekend off with your loved ones, or buying the newest gadget – plan something that rewards you for your hard work.

Cheers! Seriously you’ve earned it. Photo by Michael Discenza on Unsplash

If your motivation wanes, create some change

The compounding forces of life can wear you down. Challenges in your business or private life, the drudgery of the day-in-day-out grind and a sense of complacency can empty your bucket of motivation, and leave you feeling wrung out.

By following the six-step action plan, you’ll be able to recreate that drive you used to have and find your motivation again.