|
Small Business Articles from Make-it-Fly®
 How
to Stay Encouraged
10 Tips to Keep You
On Top
By Victoria Munro
Printable version
Running a
business, especially in the early years, can be an emotional
roller-coaster ride. Running the many facets
of the business, managing cash flow, handling difficult
clients, adapting to changing markets, and all in an
unpredictable economy, can be overwhelming. On top of
that, life simply isn’t always fair. Some days,
it’s easy to become discouraged and let the inner
fire that inspired you to launch this venture wane.
There are times when we all
need encouragement.
Below are 10
tips to help you stay encouraged and press on
in spite of the ups and downs, adversities and setbacks
you may face.
| 1. |
Be
careful what you think. Our thoughts have
enormous power to affect how we feel. They determine
our attitude. Read or listen to positive, inspirational
books and reflect on what you learn. |
| 2. |
Seek
out someone you can encourage. Others
around you need your help and support.
Reaching out to someone else will lift your spirits
too. |
| 3. |
Think
about what motivated you to start your business.
It was probably more than a paycheck. Perhaps something
you’re passionate about that will make the
world a better place. Maybe something you enjoy
and are really good at. Review and recommit to your
company mission. Write or rewrite the vision you
have for the business. |
| 4. |
Don’t
try to do it alone. Recruit a team of cheerleaders.
Surround yourself with positive, upbeat people who
can be your sounding board and provide the business
know-how you need. Choose those who’ll be
honest with you, yet give the emotional support
and encouragement we all need when the going gets
tough—your
own personal board of advisors. |
| 5. |
Focus
on the positive. Be aware of and stop all
negative self-talk. Write out and repeat positive
affirmations. |
| 6. |
View
setbacks as stepping-stones to success. Don’t
waste time and energy rehearsing past (or possible
future) negative events. Determine to learn from
every obstacle in your path and every mistake you
make. These experiences, the lessons learned and
knowledge gained will serve you well in the future,
and better equip you to help others. |
| 7. |
Find
someone to brainstorm with, bounce ideas
off and learn from. Just sharing your frustrations
and challenges with another can lighten the load.
Consider hiring a personal or business coach. |
| 8. |
Smile
often. Studies show that smiling releases
endorphins that make us feel good. It also causes
a measurable reduction in our blood pressure. Try
it! It works, even when you don’t feel like
smiling. |
| 9. |
Create
a pleasant environment you enjoy working in.
Our surroundings affect the way we feel. When the
sun is shining, it’s easier to be cheerful.
Music can also be a powerfully enriching tool to
calm and revitalize us. |
| 10. |
Be
good to yourself. Take a break. Go for a
walk and enjoy nature. Do something different. Take
a mini vacation—get away for a day or two
and refocus. |
(591 words)
© 2005-2008 Victoria Munro.
Click here
for printable version.
About the Author: Victoria Munro is
co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly®
LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for
small-business owners through creatively designed programs
and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different
businesses. To receive FREE business success articles
with tips to help you with your business, sign up for
their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,”
at: www.Make-it-Fly.com,
and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get
More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics
& Tips.
You’re welcome to “reprint”
this article in your ezine, print publication
or on your website, as long as it remains complete and
unaltered (including the “about the author”
info at the end). Please send a copy of your reprint
to info@make-it-fly.com.
|
