Starting your own business can be quite the roller coaster. Sure, it’s exhilarating, but at the same time it can be utterly frustrating and demotivating when you don’t see the results you so badly desire.
As new business owners we fully believe in our business and the products or services we’re selling, so it can be disappointing when you don’t achieve your goals. Let’s be honest, aren’t we all secretly hoping that our products or services will fly off the (metaphorical) shelves?
So when reality is in stark contrast with our hopes and desires, it can be tough to take. You start to wonder what you’re doing wrong, if you’re missing a trick. Perhaps you even start to question yourself, the potential of your ideas and, ultimately, the viability of your business.
I get it.
I started my own business in lifestyle and startup coaching 1.5 years ago as a moonlighting project and left my corporate day job back in August. I wouldn’t have made that transition if I wouldn’t believe in my business. It’s going pretty well and I’ve been getting raving reviews from the people I’ve worked with, so I know I’m on the right path.
Yet, at the same time… I’m not achieving all the goals I set for myself. Now, I know that’s probably because I set extremely ambitious goals, but that doesn’t mean that it leaves me cold.
So whenever I feel frustrated or demotivated because I’m not seeing the results I desire, this is what I do:
I think about all the seeds I am planting.
I’m growing awareness of my business through all my marketing efforts. I’m making new business connections and am discussing partnership opportunities. I’m collaborating with like-minded individuals and businesses. I’m building an affiliate network. All these actions, all these seeds, will come to fruition at some point in the future.
Each day is about the seeds we plant, not about the harvest we reap.
If you plant seeds, the harvest will come. I’m sure of it. It’s a law of nature.
As an entrepreneur it’s your job to plant as many seeds as you can and have faith that the results will come. This is especially important in the early stages of your venture, when the desired results are not there yet.
Obviously that doesn’t turn your business into a success, but it helps you to keep on going when the going gets tough. I find it a huge motivator to go the extra mile, to put in just that little bit more than other people do – ‘cause I know THAT is something that will lead to success.
What do you think? What do you do when you don’t get the results you desire?
Iris Louwerens, founder of Dig Mondays, is on a mission to help people start exciting, fulfilling and thriving businesses that allow them to let their full creative, personal and financial potential out and live life on their own terms. Through her one-on-one coaching, mentoring, blog and live events, she encourages, empowers and inspires others to let their inner genius out and create the career and life of their dreams.
Image Credit: reneeannsmith.com
