5 Ways To Stay Motivated as a Startup Owner

Photo by Per Lööv on Unsplash

If you’re currently working on starting your own business, whether it is a startup for personalised birthday cards, printed shirts, or any other in the variety of industries, you know how difficult it can be to stay motivated when you’re alone at your computer, staring at a blank screen. Whether you’re waiting for the money to come in or trying to figure out what your next step should be, these five tips will help you stay motivated as a startup owner and make sure that you stay productive throughout the entire process.

1) Get busy

If you’re doing your job, you won’t have time to be idle. Getting busy is one of the best ways to stay motivated. Sometimes it can feel like an uphill battle; other times it will feel like plain sailing. The important thing is that you keep going and don’t allow yourself time for self-doubt or distraction. Remember to also keep your health in mind, the last thing you want is to get burnt out, so take regular breaks and drink water.

2) Focus on the positive

To be a successful startup owner, you have to understand that sometimes it takes months or even years for an idea or business model to actually work. Don’t give up—keep at it. Understand what’s working and what isn’t and adjust your strategy accordingly. The key is to focus on positive outcomes. If you’re struggling with motivation, ask yourself: What will I do if I achieve my goal? How will my life change? What will I do if things don’t go according to plan? These questions can help refocus your energy and get you back on track. Being a startup owner is hard work but it’s also rewarding. It’s about making sacrifices now so that one day in the future you can reap rewards beyond anything you could imagine.

3) Learn from your failures

The startups that learn from their failures will have a much higher chance of success. There is no other way around it, you need to take some time after each failure and make sure you understand what went wrong and what you can do differently in order to succeed. Don’t beat yourself up if you fail, just learn from your mistakes and make sure you don’t make them again.

4) Celebrate your wins

No matter how small, celebrate your wins and accomplishments. Treat yourself after you meet deadlines or hit milestones, even if it’s just a nice dinner at home or a movie with friends. Keeping yourself motivated is easier when you’re feeling good about what you’ve done so far and looking forward to what’s ahead. A lot of startup owners feel like they don’t have time for themselves while they’re building their business; however, taking care of yourself is important to staying sharp and focused on your business goals. You’ll be much more likely to reach those goals if you make time for rest and relaxation instead of pushing through without paying attention to your health needs.

5) Surround yourself with inspiring people

Working alone can be intimidating and lonely. Surround yourself with inspiring people who want you to succeed. By keeping company with like-minded individuals, you will lift each other up and inspire new levels of motivation. Relying on inspiration from others can give you that extra push when it feels like your vision is drifting out of reach. Listen to inspiring audiobooks in your car, join online entrepreneurial communities, and sign up for workshops and seminars by innovative leaders. And keep reminding yourself that failure isn’t an option.

There are many different ways you can stay motivated as a startup owner, ultimately these tips work for most, but may not be what you need. Understand your individual needs and research how other startup owners managed time and motivation when they were in the same place as you. Always keep an open mind to new techniques that can improve your motivation and productivity, as it can be just what leads you into success.