As your business develops from an idea to your hundredth sale,
it's natural for your initial enthusiasm to fade. As you move
from dreamer to worker, reality hits, and you stop looking at your
business with the same enthusiastic eyes. This doesn't mean
your passion is fading-it simply means you've forgotten how to
keep the energy flowing.
Business life can easily become about the repetitive routine of
maintaining and growing your business. Here's how to keep joy
connected to your day-to-day activities-and renew your passion.
1. Remind yourself why you started your business.
Separate your emotions from the routine baggage that comes with
every new business. Take time to reflect on all the reasons you
started your business-the passion that sparked its creation. Did
you see a demand that had not been met? Did you decide to explore a
new aspect of your personality? Write the reasons down; put them in
your desk drawer, or make a sign for your wall. Look at them
regularly as a reminder to keep your passion flowing.
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2. List how your business affects more than just you. By
connecting to a larger purpose, you create energy. Your work
affects people's lives more than you ever realize. Simply list
the ways you help people live better, and discover a new, powerful
perspective. When Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, he not
only created a way to light up homes, but also lowered the crime
rate, helped factories stay open longer hours, and enabled children
to play safely at night. Take a moment each morning to add a new
benefit to your list.
3. Search for bigger adventures without expecting
results. Let the excitement of discovery enter into your
business activities by investigating the unseen opportunities that
surround you. Weekly, hold a brainstorming session with a trusted
colleague to discuss some exciting directions your business can
take. Choose one activity to start, and create a list of simple
action steps to follow. Fill yourself with the excitement of
creation by staying detached from any expected results. If
something works out, celebrate!
4. Show outward fondness for your business. Always speak
positively about your goals-your energy flows through your words to
others and is reflected back to you. Give yourself permission to
creatively express your passion, just as you did when you started
your business. This could include sharing your weekly
accomplishments with a trusted friend or teaching a class on your
area of expertise at a local college. You have a lot of knowledge,
so share it.
Take time to nurture your relationship with your business. The
small, day-to-day gestures that connect you to the core of your
business have the greatest impact on your energy level. Smile every
time you say your business's name, and continually invite new
possibilities.
Editor's note: Looking for our "Countdown to
Startup" series? We've compiled it into one easy-to-use
feature. Click here
to read it.
Speaker and consultant Romanus Wolter, aka "The Kick Start
Guy," is author of Kick Start Your Dream Business.