Motivation and the difficulties of doing it all alone....

Bandara

Hi everyone,

I know it could be construed as off-topic for this forum but I do think motivation and staying motivated for years and years is possibly the most difficult thing I have faced in business.

The the day to day tasks that you hate doing, the getting up at 5am everyday, the negative effects running your own business has on your social life, the stresses and strains, how do you keep going?

I think when you start out its easy, your young, over excitable and insanely hungry and will run through a brick wall you have so much desire and energy, as you get older, you get so used to the business world you operate in and things become less of a challenge and the risks become less risky as you are now in a financially secure position. I think as you get older you also develop an type of arrogance that is very good to have where you are extremely comfortable in your decision making abilities and have much more confidence within yourself, and the ability to force things to happen.

I really would like to hear how people here stay motivated, stay on top of the game, drag themselves out of bed each day and perform to their optimum. I find that every 3 months or so I have a bit of a mad two weeks where I’m all over the place and just not at the races, I eventually get my head together and get back in the game and go like a demon for the next three months.

Has anyone got life coaching on this kind of thing? Or what do you do to stay focused? I personally found the first 4 or 5 years to be easy, but it’s harder to stop the passion getting more and more diluted as the years go on.

Look forward to any replies, or even if you wish to include other difficulties your struggle with as an Entrepreneur, hopefully we can get a discussion going where we can all help each other with advice and experiences.

Regards,

HT

random.stranger

Hi HT,
Great post. Yes, I am only starting up, but I know what you mean.

I have good days and bad days. I was at the last BizCamp in Dublin. I found it very hartening to hear other entrepreneurs speak about the problems I am facing at the moment. That they experienced the same difficulties and overcame them, was a great source of inspiration for me.

Congrats on having a successful business going for 5+ years HT.

Culchie

HT, I would recommend a little coaching, say for a three month period.

Being your own boss you are 'always right' ... it proves beneficial to be challenged by a neutral voice and reset your goals and ambitions...it's incredible how they change. I find a default diary of great benefit as well, the day is far more productive, and I too go on the odd bender as well, still human afterall:D

FusionNet

Hey Hammertime,

Firstly I personally think the few things that keep me going are the enjoyable contracts I get on occassion and when I may a few bob! This year has been very disheartening though and Im finding it very difficult to stay motivated. Not only has my industry takin a hammering, Im down 50% on 2008 but what I did turn over this year Im still owed for 50% of that.!! That makes business very difficult and now its coming to crunch time.

On a positive though I found one way to keep upbeat and positive was to teamup with another local IT engineer. We werent in competition and found our services complimented each other. Now we meet up every few days, pass leads, keep each other up beat when the other has had a tough job. We now also go on jobs together so we can offer a fuller service to our clients. We now share client lists too. I have found because Im a sole trader, work from home that I had spent way too much time in my own head. Now at least I get to meet up with another like minded engineer to bounce ideas off, bitch about stupid jobs and generally make light of the depressing times!!

Im am now looking at moving into other sectors to expand the business. I have a lot of ideas but getting finance is tough.

So my advice for anyone that works on their own, seek out like minded people and share ideas and talk about the business. This also helps take the stress out.

I have two other businesses Id love to set up, Im not feeling the love for IT at the moment but thats mainly due to difficulty getting paid but Im not sure will I get the chance to do the other businesses.

Keep positive people...

Culchie

Another comment ... join a networking group, I joined the BNI.... provides excellent leads, and develops new contacts, new business and indeed new friends.

RUDOLF289

Culchie wrote: »

Another comment ... join a networking group, I joined the BNI.... provides excellent leads, and develops new contacts, new business and indeed new friends.

The same for me, great network, sharpens the "reason for being in business" and meeting a lot of new people as a result. I am a member of a large chapter and I find the energy in the group contageous.

FusionNet

Re BNI

I agree I was in one years ago and it was great, but whats with the 6:45am start??? Im only turning over for my proper sleep then!!! Other thing I didnt like about BNI was the pressure to have a lead for someone every week.. Some weeks your so busy you dont have time to promote someone elses business!

RUDOLF289

There are some lunch time chapters. Personally, I like the early starts, set you up for the day and usually by 08:45 the actual meeting is over (although I do have 1-2-1 meetings with my fellow chapter members afterwards)

It is challenging but BNI provides some great workshops and training.

ghosttown

What are the costs of joining ? Someone said you have to turn up each week ? I travel abroad a few days a month, and can't always dictate the days, am a sole trader, so couldn't get someone to replace me, what happens here ? Thanks

patftrears

Hammertime wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I know it could be construed as off-topic for this forum but I do think motivation and staying motivated for years and years is possibly the most difficult thing I have faced in business.

The the day to day tasks that you hate doing, the getting up at 5am everyday, the negative effects running your own business has on your social life, the stresses and strains, how do you keep going?

I think when you start out its easy, your young, over excitable and insanely hungry and will run through a brick wall you have so much desire and energy, as you get older, you get so used to the business world you operate in and things become less of a challenge and the risks become less risky as you are now in a financially secure position. I think as you get older you also develop an type of arrogance that is very good to have where you are extremely comfortable in your decision making abilities and have much more confidence within yourself, and the ability to force things to happen.

I really would like to hear how people here stay motivated, stay on top of the game, drag themselves out of bed each day and perform to their optimum. I find that every 3 months or so I have a bit of a mad two weeks where I’m all over the place and just not at the races, I eventually get my head together and get back in the game and go like a demon for the next three months.

Has anyone got life coaching on this kind of thing? Or what do you do to stay focused? I personally found the first 4 or 5 years to be easy, but it’s harder to stop the passion getting more and more diluted as the years go on.

Look forward to any replies, or even if you wish to include other difficulties your struggle with as an Entrepreneur, hopefully we can get a discussion going where we can all help each other with advice and experiences.

Regards,

HT

One thing I hate about being the boss is there is no one to tell me how great I am. I constantly motivate the staff and tell them that they do a great job and how much it's appreciated.
I do amazing things, work insane hours, it's not enough to sit back and say to myself, Jesus you really out did yourself there. Where is my praise ?

If you feel like you're burning out, take a proper holiday, min of 2 weeks and have nothing to do with the business. You'll come back refreshed and full of energy.

Set yourself goals for each month, want to increase turnover, launch new product etc.

Treat yourself, say if I hit all my targets this year I going to buy myself the flash motor, rolex.

Hammertime, what a great position to be in !

I think you need a new challenge, something that will give you the initial hunger and drive that is within you but is probably just buried down a bit as you're probably just sick of routine.

JohnThomas09

patftrears wrote: »

One thing I hate about being the boss is there is no one to tell me how great I am. I constantly motivate the staff and tell them that they do a great job and how much it's appreciated.
I do amazing things, work insane hours, it's not enough to sit back and say to myself, Jesus you really out did yourself there. Where is my praise

you shouldn't have to be told,if you business is sucessful and you have wealth,what more do you want from your business.You cant expect your workers to tell you your great,after all if you do more than them thats why you earn better money.

drunkmonkey

patftrears wrote: »

One thing I hate about being the boss is there is no one to tell me how great I am.

The one thing I love is being able to close early, today for example i'll be closing at 17.50 to raise a pint to Arthur at 17.59 and I don't need to ask anyone for permission.

p.s
YOUR GREAT!!!!:)

JohnThomas09

JohnThomas09 wrote: »

you shouldn't have to be told,if you business is sucessful and you have wealth,waht more do you want from your business.You cant expect your workers to tell you your great,after all if you do more than them thats why you earn better money.

Exactly.

Culchie

FusionNet wrote: »

Re BNI

I agree I was in one years ago and it was great, but whats with the 6:45am start??? Im only turning over for my proper sleep then!!! Other thing I didnt like about BNI was the pressure to have a lead for someone every week.. Some weeks your so busy you dont have time to promote someone elses business!

Well the BNI is so successful because it knows that 6.45am starts produce the best results.

Seriously, they've analysed 20 years data from accross all the chapters in all the countries, and that's their findings.
It's good to have pressure to get leads for others...they're under the same pressure to get leads for you....and yes the week does fly for me as well.

DubTony

patftrears wrote: »

One thing I hate about being the boss is there is no one to tell me how great I am. I constantly motivate the staff and tell them that they do a great job and how much it's appreciated.
I do amazing things, work insane hours, it's not enough to sit back and say to myself, Jesus you really out did yourself there. Where is my praise ?

Pat, print this out and read it aloud every day just before you start work and just as you finish. Try it for a month and then come back to me and tell me you don't feel great about all the praise you get every day.

Pat, you're doing a fantastic job. It has to be said, you're really appreciated around here. With you leading the team, keeping the wheels moving, and keeping everyone motivated, the business goes from strength to strength. You're the glue that holds everything together, and the fuel in the fire. This place would be nothing without you. Great job. Thanks a lot"

If you need to read that about yourself, then I wonder if you are made of the right stuff.

Just my opinion.

Not claiming to be anything special, but seriously, if you need that self-praise, f*ck yourself, you're obviously soft.

DubTony

Deleted User wrote: »

If you need to read that about yourself, then I wonder if you are made of the right stuff.

Just my opinion.

Deleted User wrote:

Not claiming to be anything special, but seriously, if you need that self-praise, f*ck yourself, you're obviously soft.

Aaaah, the drunken ramblings of the 5 a.m. poster.

Here, I've designed one specifically for you. Read it aloud three times just after you get up and just before you go to bed.

"I am not an arsehole"

patftrears

patftrears wrote: »

One thing I hate about being the boss is there is no one to tell me how great I am. I constantly motivate the staff and tell them that they do a great job and how much it's appreciated.
I do amazing things, work insane hours, it's not enough to sit back and say to myself, Jesus you really out did yourself there. Where is my praise ?

Pat if you've made a lot of cash get a big pile of it from the bank and put it on the table in front of you. I bet it will start talking to you giving you allsorts of praise!!:D

DubTony

DubTony wrote: »

Aaaah, the drunken ramblings of the 5 a.m. poster.

Here, I've designed one specifically for you. Read it aloud three times just after you get up and just before you go to bed.

"I am not an arsehole"

Indeed. You caught me out there. I was in a bad mood last night.

"I am not an arsehole"

patftrears

JohnThomas09 wrote: »

you shouldn't have to be told,if you business is sucessful and you have wealth,what more do you want from your business.You cant expect your workers to tell you your great,after all if you do more than them thats why you earn better money.

Money is not enough to keep you motivated. The only people who think that, are people who have none.
Once you have enough money to be comfortable and secure, the desire for money will fade and not keep you going long term.
Most people associate money with status rather than actual cash in the bank, that can be a motivation as it makes you feel better than other people.

The 3 guys who started twitter could have exited with a clean €100million each 6 months ago. But they didn't because they are not motivated by money, they want to build a mega company, that's the motivation, not turning that €100million into a billion. It's the status and sense of achievement of creating the company out of nothing.

Business is 100% about making money, but that is very rarely the personal motivation driving people.
There are too many people calling themselves entrepreneurs because they think it's the new rock n roll. It's on their linked page Job Title: Entrepreneur, these guys haven't a clue, too much motivation to be seen as an entrepreneur and not enough focus on hard work and earning a crust. So called entrepreneurs telling me, well we have HPSU status and are looking to raise X million, they want to take over the world before they even have 1 sale, amateurs. Not to mention the ones who want to have a million users with no revenue model.

You can get a job to make you lots of money, but who doesn't know someone with a very high paying job who hates it. Because they are not motivated. Motivation is a personal thing for everyone, find out what is motivating you before you start your business. Because you will want to quit a 100 times before you are successful, the thing that motivates you is what will keep you going.

DubTony wrote: »

Pat, print this out and read it aloud every day just before you start work and just as you finish. Try it for a month and then come back to me and tell me you don't feel great about all the praise you get every day.

Those types of mantras are actually recommended by lots of self help/business gurus. I do have this up on a poster beside my desk.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

sneakerfreak

i got complacent lately and lost my energy a little.i went into my business and worked with my employees for a few days and got the old buzz back,was a huge help,also i trawl the interbuttz searching for new ideas,new needs.Thats how I do it,also I always remind myself that it can all be taken away so easily and that you need to stay on top of things and ahead of the game.

Jerrk001

Set yourself regular goals and targets, watch the balance in your life and be careful what you say to yourself - as your thinking directly affects the way you feel and behave.

Mr Clonfadda

Hi HT

Have felt the sameway for the last two years. Can't say I'm in a comfortable place in regard to Cashflow but would love to be able to have a "Board of Directors" to bounce ideas off.

Maybe we could come up with a group of boards.ie directors and everyone could put in a few days into each others business.