June 14th, 2010 . 09:52 am
Don't Lose the Passion
Posted by Shustir Blog Entries
by Margo Upson
If you're a small business owner, you probably know how easy it is to get discouraged. Maybe you lost an important client, or you feel like your business should be growing faster. Maybe you've had a bad week, or even a bad month. You're tired of putting all of the work into your business without getting the payoff you know you deserve.Â
You're not alone. Almost all business owners go through these periods of insecurity, doubt, and even boredom. It feels like, with all of the work you're doing, new customers or clients should be knocking on your door everyday. And it's just not happening. The truth is, it takes at least two to four years, if not more, for a business to really get off the ground. Until then, there are going to be slow, discouraging, times. You need to know how to get past them, and keep the passion for your work burning brightly.
The first thing you need to do is find a mentor, someone who has been where you are and has gone on to achieve goals similar to your own. Having someone to bounce ideas off, or who will offer support, understanding and much-needed advice during a rough spell, is priceless to a new small business owner. Even if you have been at it for a while, it is still useful to have a more experienced business contact.Â
Learn how to network, both online and off. Join small business associations and professional organizations for your field. Find online business and networking sites, and take full advantage of them. Being connected can give you better support, keep you excited about your business, and even bring in new customers or clients.
Study your industry. If you are a marketer, for example, focus on new marketing techniques, such as internet or search engine marketing. Learn as much as you can, and then find a way to share that knowledge. Build a website, or start a blog. Not only does this have the potential to position you as an expert in your field, it can also be a fantastic way to get to know other like-minded professionals.Â
Learn how to ignore the critics. This includes naysaying family members and friends, grouchy competitors, and even impossible to please customers. You can't make everyone happy all of the time. Focus on what you need to do for your success, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. You can.
Most importantly, remember that even the roughest time will pass. Don't let it derail your business, and all of the hard work you've put into it. Take a break if you need it, and then get right back to work. It takes time to build a successful business; stay committed to your goals and don't lose your passion for what you are doing. All of your hard work will pay off, but only if you don't give up now.
If you're a small business owner, you probably know how easy it is to get discouraged. Maybe you lost an important client, or you feel like your business should be growing faster. Maybe you've had a bad week, or even a bad month. You're tired of putting all of the work into your business without getting the payoff you know you deserve.Â
You're not alone. Almost all business owners go through these periods of insecurity, doubt, and even boredom. It feels like, with all of the work you're doing, new customers or clients should be knocking on your door everyday. And it's just not happening. The truth is, it takes at least two to four years, if not more, for a business to really get off the ground. Until then, there are going to be slow, discouraging, times. You need to know how to get past them, and keep the passion for your work burning brightly.
The first thing you need to do is find a mentor, someone who has been where you are and has gone on to achieve goals similar to your own. Having someone to bounce ideas off, or who will offer support, understanding and much-needed advice during a rough spell, is priceless to a new small business owner. Even if you have been at it for a while, it is still useful to have a more experienced business contact.Â
Learn how to network, both online and off. Join small business associations and professional organizations for your field. Find online business and networking sites, and take full advantage of them. Being connected can give you better support, keep you excited about your business, and even bring in new customers or clients.
Study your industry. If you are a marketer, for example, focus on new marketing techniques, such as internet or search engine marketing. Learn as much as you can, and then find a way to share that knowledge. Build a website, or start a blog. Not only does this have the potential to position you as an expert in your field, it can also be a fantastic way to get to know other like-minded professionals.Â
Learn how to ignore the critics. This includes naysaying family members and friends, grouchy competitors, and even impossible to please customers. You can't make everyone happy all of the time. Focus on what you need to do for your success, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. You can.
Most importantly, remember that even the roughest time will pass. Don't let it derail your business, and all of the hard work you've put into it. Take a break if you need it, and then get right back to work. It takes time to build a successful business; stay committed to your goals and don't lose your passion for what you are doing. All of your hard work will pay off, but only if you don't give up now.
