When entrepreneurs first start out as business owners, their dreams are constantly pushing them forward. But after you see your first few successes and your business starts to level out, it’s common to face a bit of a slump in your work. You feel burnt out, washed up, and that drive you’ve got has deserted you. We’ve all had those times — growing up watching Friends, I sometimes related a little too much to the opening lines “when it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.” So what do we do when that lines relates to our businesses? How do we stay motivated? This entrepreneurial slump isn’t uncommon – and unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for business owners to call it failure. When you’ve hit this wall, here are a few ways to keep yourself motivated: 1. Separate your work life from your personal life When your whole life is all about work, it’s understandable to get burnt out more quickly than you’d like. When you train yourself to take mental breaks from work, it’s easier to refresh and recharge your mind. When you come back, you’re more energized and moving forward with your work will be easier. Some business owners even recommend that entrepreneurs take three-month vacations, arguing that if you’ve started up a business correctly, it should flourish during your break. Plus, it might even give you the chance to miss work, rather than resenting it if you never get a break! 2. Find other creative outlets Every successful entrepreneur puts their heart and soul into their business, and that’s great. But sometimes that hits a wall, and you need to find another outlet to get those creative juices flowing once again. So whatever it is that you enjoy – creating and designing software, graphic design or even something more abstract, like songwriting, give yourself time to explore those outlets. It will help boost your creativity again and get you out of your slump. 3. Get it off your chest Everyone needs someone they can talk to every once in a while. When you’re in an entrepreneurial slump, find someone who can help you get things off your chest. It’s hard to carry all that weight on your shoulders and simultaneously run a business. Talking things through will help ease that burden and allow more room for you to focus on successfully running a business. There are ways to get rid of your slump without having to accept it as a failure. No matter how long you’ve been at this business ownership game, you can find ways to get back to that same electricity that once fueled your entrepreneurial spirit.

by: Emily Brady

Emily Brady

Emily Brady is a content writer for AFEUSA. Her education in Communication Sciences with an emphasis in journalism from Brigham Young University makes her a great fit for AFEUSA. Emily enjoys writing and often works as a freelance writer in her free time.