Keep On Truckin

The launch Of a new business is accompanied by endless enthusiasm and energy. Several months into a venture, however, these feelings often begin to wane, as operating the business becomes routine. Although every business faces high and low points, the key to success lies in maintaining constant motivation and focus despite this natural ebb and flow. Several strategies exist to help entrepreneurs do so.

"When a clients comes in, I find out about their business--where it's headed, and what about it gets them fired up," explains David Hall, business counselor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. "Those are essential elements to concentrate on in order to maintain motivation and focus. Since it rains a lot here, I put together the acronym `DAMP' to remind local business owners about the importance of setting and working toward goals. Actually, it's D=AMP. The `D' stands for their destination goals, which are a direct function of their abilities (`A'), motivation (`M') and persistence (`P') in achieving them."