When it comes to staying motivated in your business, your attitude is key.

If you’re in the beginning stages of your business, or if you’re running part-time gig while still at your day job, it can be hard to stay motivated. Especially when you’re doing *all the things* but not seeing any results.

Soon enough, you’re feeling burned out. You can’t remember why you started this in the first place. You wonder how long you’ll have to keep plugging away with little to no results.

You question whether you’re doing the right things. You feel overwhelmed not knowing what to do first. You have an ever-growing to-do list but things aren’t getting completed.

When you’re spending all of your time and energy on something that you’ve deemed important, it can be disheartening when you don’t see results.

Not surprisingly, your motivation can plummet.

So how can you stay motivated despite not seeing any results? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

How to stay motivated in your business when you don’t  feel like doing the work

1. Remember why you’re doing this in the first place. Why you do your work is just as important as what you do. If you’re not familiar with Simon Sinek you should check out this video on that very topic. People resonate and connect with your “why.” But even more than that, when you are operating from your true “why” (read: your purpose), you stay connected and engaged in your work. You know why it’s important to you personally and what you hope to achieve through your work. (Not sure what your purpose is and why it’s important? Book a Business Clarity Session for those answers and more!)

2. Envision your desired result and emotionally connect to it. What is your long-term — or even short-term — vision for your business? What kind of impact, however big or small, do you want to make in the world? What do you want people to experience as a result of working with you? Spend some time creating a vision around what you want and hope to achieve. Good exercises for this include: practicing a visualization meditation, making a vision board, or simply allowing yourself to daydream about your future. Then, once you have a clear idea of what it is you want — this is very important — create a visual reminder, whether it be a board, a mantra, or a sign. Put it somewhere you can see it daily. Reference it whenever you start to question or doubt your work.

3. Show up and do the work. Every. Single. Day. Hint: This requires self-discipline. One key to making this type of self-discipline easier is to have a roadmap that tells you what the next steps are. Whether it’s a to-do list, a whiteboard, an Excel sheet or an app like Trello, find a way to list and prioritize your tasks so that when you show up at your desk, you’re not twiddling your thumbs. And remember that consistency builds consistency and when you work consistently, you see results. Note: This does not mean working 24 hours a day! It means working smarter, whether that’s for one hour or 10 hours. It’s the commitment and showing up every day that counts.

4. Develop a recognition and rewards system. When you’re not feeling motivated by clients or peers, it’s very important to figure out ways to motivate yourself. If you don’t know what motivates you, check out my recent post on creating a reward system. Developing a simple rewards and recognition plan is as easy as defining your milestones and what you will receive each time you hit a milestone. Remember to actually create the time to celebrate that milestone and experience your reward. It’s not enough just to set it; you must feel the gratification that comes from accepting and recognizing yourself for a job well done.

5. Surrender and trust the process. Yes, you must know what you want and why you want it. You must have an emotional connection to your end goal. You must also consistently show up and do the work, which requires self-discipline and integrity (i.e., doing what you say you will do.) But in the end, striving will only get you so far. If you are truly aligned with your goals and your purpose, you can relax and trust the process. When you’re tapped into your calling, you can trust that you are meant to do this, and know that you will be supported. Remain patient. A strong meditation practice can help you with this.

So what can you do to feel motivated when you’re not seeing results? You can get clear on your why, connect to your end vision, show up every day and do the work, reward yourself for your milestones, and above all, trust the process.

If you want help staying motivated in your business, sign up for a free consultation today.

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