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Staying Motivated While Stressed [M&M #028]


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Starting a solo business is no small feat.

That spark of excitement does eventually begin to get mixed up with feelings of overwhelm as the plate your spinning start to stack up.

As a one-person show, the weight of responsibility for running the business falls solely on your shoulders. From managing finances, building a website, and dealing with customer inquiries, it can often feel like you're juggling a hundred different tasks all at once.

Stress and burnout are common pitfalls that you may encounter on your journey. But it's important to remember that success is possible, and it all starts with finding the motivation to keep going.

Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated, even in the midst of stress:

  1. Hold On to Your Passion: What caused you you to start your business in the first place? Go back for a moment to why you started your solo business. Did you want to escape the corporate politics and crummy bosses? Did you want to earn more money? Work from anywhere with an internet connection? As Simon Sinek says, remember your ‘why’ and use that as fuel to your flame.

  2. Take Care of Yourself: A healthy body and mind are essential for success. Make time for self-care and prioritize your well-being. I haven’t always been the best at this but I’ve found that whether it be a high-intensity weight training session or a simple walk outside, self-care goes a long way in reducing my stress levels

  3. Focus on Your Goals: Set achievable goals and work towards them every day. Celebrate your victories, no matter how small, and stay motivated to keep pushing forward. Here’s a youtube video on this.

  4. Build a Supportive Community: Surround yourself with people who understand and support your journey. Seek out other solopreneurs and join communities where you can connect and share your experiences. LinkedIn and Twitter are full of great people who are going through very similar experiences as you. A simple hello can go a long way for both people in the conversation.

  5. Hire a Business Coach: This is still one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business. My coach helps keep me focused and headed the right direction while also being the perfect sounding board for everything from new ideas to frustrating mental blocks.

  6. Develop Your Skills: When I first started with email marketing, I felt a lot of stress. I was worried that I wasn't good enough because I was just starting out. But the more I worked on projects and talked to clients, the better I got. And the better I got, the more confident I felt. And that made me feel less stressed. So, if you're just starting out with something new, don't worry! The more you practice, the better you'll become and the less stressed you'll feel.

  7. Keep Pushing Forward: Remember that the journey is long, but the reward is sweet. Stay committed and never give up on your dreams. Over the years, your business will likely mature intAs the saying goes, the only way to guarantee failure is to quit.

Starting a solo business is not for the faint of heart.

It takes hard work, determination, and a never-say-die attitude to succeed.

But with a little bit of motivation and a lot of hard work, you'll find that the journey is worth it in the end.

So hold on tight my friend, and keep pushing forward!

What’s your biggest source of stress right now? Remember #4 from above?

Until Next Time ✌️🙂
- Ev

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