Episode 103: How To Stay Excited About Your Business

Episode Link: You can listen here

If you’ve been feeling a bit disenchanted with your business lately, you are not alone. In Episode 103, we delve into the heart of maintaining enthusiasm and preventing burnout in your journey as a small business owner. Let’s break down some practical strategies that we discussed, so you can continue to grow, pivot, and remain passionate about what you do.

The Power of Task Mapping and Time Blocking

We cannot stress enough the importance of organization when it comes to managing your workweek. Task mapping and time blocking have been game-changers for us. Task mapping is essentially a glorified to-do list, and sometimes it can even be done on a simple Post-it note. Its strength lies in setting boundaries and planning out your tasks for the week by looking at your priorities.

On the other hand, time blocking helps us allocate specific times for different tasks, whether it’s coaching calls, creative work, or podcasting. These techniques can significantly reduce the overwhelm by allowing you to focus on one thing at a time. Moreover, they help you identify and manage distractions by creating an optimal work environment, whether that’s a quiet room or your favorite coffee shop.

Tapping into Your Passion and Mission

One vital aspect we discussed is distinguishing between passion and mission. Your passion might be what got you started, but your mission—your overarching purpose—should evolve. For example, a virtual assistant might be passionate about organization, but their mission is to help small business owners succeed.

For, Melissa, her passion for photography dwindled over time, but her mission remained—to breathe life into small businesses. This led to her pivot from photography to business coaching. The essence of her mission didn’t change; only the method did. Embrace the need for change and new challenges to stay excited about your work.

Embracing Boundaries

Boundaries are non-negotiable when it comes to running a sustainable business. Both Corry and Melissa discussed how setting boundaries allows for mental relaxation. Define your availability, set clear expectations, learn to say no, and limit access to yourself. These steps are not just about keeping your workload manageable but also about ensuring that you have time to rejuvenate.

Implementing batch working can be particularly helpful. By focusing on similar tasks in set blocks of time, you can manage your workload more effectively and reduce the cognitive load associated with switching between different types of tasks.

When to Pivot

Knowing when to pivot is crucial for keeping your business alive and exciting. Corry and Melissa both share personal stories about their journeys in photography. There came a point when Melissa realized that the spark was gone. Each request for a wedding shoot made her more disinterested. Corry shared a similar experience with family photography, now finding more passion in branding shoots.

Recognizing these moments of waning passion allows you to make the necessary changes to rediscover what excites you. Sometimes, a small tweak can reignite that fire; other times, a complete overhaul is necessary. Don’t be afraid to explore new avenues and redefine your services.

Staying Engaged

Running a business is like maintaining a marriage; both require continuous effort to stay engaged and excited. It’s essential to address problems as they arise and remember the reason why you started in the first place—the people you serve. During our discussion, we underscored the significance of not losing sight of who we are serving and why we are doing this work. 

Your Next Steps

Lastly, if you are feeling stuck, feel free to reach out. We encourage listeners to set up a discovery call to explore how we can work together to help you grow, scale, or pivot your business and generate more income. You can always leave a review or get in touch on social media with your feedback or questions.

Stay connected with us on Instagram or visit our website for more resources and updates. Remember, it’s okay for your method of serving to change as long as your mission remains constant.

Staying excited about your business requires ongoing effort and sometimes significant changes. You can combat burnout and keep your passion alive by implementing strategies like task mapping and time blocking, setting strong boundaries, and understanding when to pivot.

Blessings,

Corry and Melissa