Getting Through the Tough Times. Keeping the Motivation Going.

It’s an unexpected phenomenon. Business is going great. You’re financial and personal goals are being attained and all of a sudden you find yourself exhausted, uninterested in your business, and longing for a vacation. Even the laundry is more appealing than the thought of running your business.

It happens to many successful business owners. Their passion for their business seems to evaporate into thin air. Why does this happen and what can you do to get it back?

Successful business owners tend to lean toward type A personalities. This means they become extremely involved in their passion resulting in ten to twelve hour days. Everything they do during the day involves their business. It’s great actually because this kind of devotion and passion is quite likely what leads to success. However, it also leads to burnout. Even if you’re doing the single thing you enjoy most in life, doing it 10 hours a day, day after day, week after week, and month after month, leads to burnout.

Balance is key. Even if you feel like you’d rather work on your business than have lunch with friends, schedule lunch with friends. Schedule days off. Schedule time to simply lie around and do nothing. It may be difficult, however it is important to your long term happiness. Make a schedule and stick to it. This means structured working hours. If your schedule is 9-5 Monday through Friday then don’t work on Sat. It is easier said then done, however you’ve had the fortitude and dedication to build a successful business, you can find the strength to take a day off too!

Sometimes, even with balance and scheduled vacations and time off, burnout or a loss of interest can occur. This can happen for many reasons. Sometimes owning a successful business doesn’t meet expectations. Maybe you thought you’d have more free time. Maybe there are tasks that you simply didn’t expect and do not enjoy. Maybe you thought you’d be making more money or that you’d enjoy your business more than you do. All of these are perfectly understandable, reasonable and resolvable.

Take time to evaluate what you do not enjoy about your business and what you do enjoy. Write a list of these items. Focusing on what you do not like, brainstorm how you can eliminate these tasks or responsibilities from your business or routine. It may mean outsourcing some tasks or it may mean modifying your business model.

Now, focusing on the tasks or responsibilities you do like, what can you do so you’re able to spend the majority of your time here? For example if you own a service based business and really dislike the administrative functions of your business, would rather spend your time working one on one with clients, hire an office manager to handle that aspect of your business. It may feel financially uncomfortable at first, however if you’re spending more time with clients you will likely start making more money since that is where your income comes from. You don’t make money balancing the checkbook!

Sometimes it all boils down to needing a good long vacation to gain a fresh perspective. It doesn’t have to be a trip to the Caribbean, though if you can swing it, do. Sometimes simply taking a week and committing it to rest and relaxation at home is enough. Once you’re back from your vacation, plan the next one! A very famous and successful copywriter spends three weeks each month working very long days and one week on vacation. It keeps him fresh, focused, and passionate about his business. Find a schedule that works for you and plan time off into your routine. You’ll be glad you did.