How To Motivate Yourself To Do Hard Things
As a small business owner, you’re wearing a lot of hats. While you might have a fire lit under you when you’re just starting out, over time that fire burns dimmer and dimmer until you risk all-out burnout.
The thing is, sometimes business owners have to do hard tasks even when we don’t feel like it. You know you need to write that blog, pitch new clients, and outline your course, but when the time comes, you just don’t have the drive to do it.
Sure, you’ve got the smarts, the tools, and maybe even the time, so what’s going on? Everyone feels sapped of productivity now and then, and it’s your job to find a jolt of inspiration that keeps you going.
Need the motivation to push through and do big things? Try these 4 hacks for self-motivation.
1. Get an accountability partner
Want to take care of business? Get yourself an accountability partner. Nothing is more motivating than the buddy system! After all, are you really going to tell your mentor that you didn’t make any progress on your goals this week? There’s something about a little social pressure that makes us more likely to dig in and do difficult work.
2: Break up your tasks
Does it sound like too much work to sit down and film a few TikToks? I hear you. Instead of giving yourself a big task like that, break it up into smaller tasks. Instead of filming TikToks, maybe you can:
Brainstorm a list of topics.
Outline 3 points to cover in each video.
Pick which sounds or trends you want to include.
You get the idea. Break your big task down into smaller chunks so it’s less intimidating. The more easy wins you have in the beginning, the more likely you are to keep going.
3: Change your scenery
Feeling down in the dumps? Sometimes you need to get away from your stuffy home office and refresh your mind with a new environment. Maybe that’s a coffee shop, coworking space, park, or your backyard.
If you really need to get stuff done, tell yourself that you can’t go back home until the task is complete! A little bit of pressure can force your brain to hunker down and pay attention.
4: Take a break (a real one)
It’s impossible to do your best work if you’re always exhausted. If you’ve tried everything and can’t seem to find the motivation, maybe it’s time for a breather. Whether you go outside to meditate for 10 minutes or give yourself a few days off from work, sometimes a breather is essential to tackling big projects.
Above all else
…remember to be kind to yourself. It’s easy to beat yourself up for not accomplishing everything on your to-do list, but let’s be honest: it isn’t possible! Instead of beating yourself up, find the motivation to do the things that matter most and do the rest when you can. Running a small biz is a marathon, not a sprint, so maintain your focus to cross the finish line.