How to stay motivated in business when you are self-employed

Working for yourself for many is a dream come true. However, at times, it can be very stressful, isolating and challenging.

Motivation is fundamental to building a successful business. When we lack motivation, everything can feel difficult, including the very thing you once felt passionate about - your own business.

Here are 10 tips to empower you to stay motivated and focused on making your business a success.

1. Remind yourself of why you set up your business in the first place

What excites you about your business? What is your passion and what drives you? Write it down, keep it safe and whenever things get tough re-read it to inspire and motivate yourself.

2. Be clear about your vision

How do you visualise your business? Is it the same as when you started out? Write it down or even draw a representation of it. Describe it to others. Is it how they see it?

3. Be accountable

Be clear about your goals. Sharing your ideas and goals for your business with those you trust will ensure you commit to attaining the results you want. Ask them to meet with you regularly to review your progress.

4. What is your USP?

What are you offering that is different from others offering a similar service or product? Look at what your competitors are doing. Consider how you can improve or develop your product or service.

5. Dig out your business plan

Use it to set realistic performance goals, not just when you need to raise funds.

6. Promote and market yourself

Don’t sell yourself short. Set goals for presentation, marketing and service. Stand out amongst the competition.

7. Learn from your client's feedback

Create a survey and value their comments. Use them to help improve your offer.

8. Keep on top of your finances

Tedious as it may seem, it is much less stressful if you allow a little time every day to keep everything ticking along. File away receipts, check invoices, cash flow and banking. General housekeeping to allow you to concentrate on the more exciting parts of the business.

9. Use your time effectively and learn to work smart

Plan your day every day and clearly define tasks and prioritise. By persisting at this you will be more efficient and feel a sense of achievement when you can tick them off as completed. Plan for the short, medium and long term as well.

10. Network

Build relationships with like-minded people who will support, encourage and inspire you to build opportunities. Give your time and knowledge and, by helping others, you will open new possibilities for yourself.

How can coaching help?

Talking to others is very important to reflect and understand your thoughts on your business. You probably get very little time to spend on thinking through your plans, concerns or ideas.

More and more people are using coaching as an opportunity to do this. By committing to developing themselves and their business, they focus on thinking creatively and in new ways that will motivate them, make them accountable and renew their energies on driving their business forward.

Find out more about how a coach can support you and your business.