Please be honest....

[hipwuk]

... Have you ever lost your mojo?

What I mean is this - despite your initial enthusiasm about your business idea, executing it, running it, and making it a success... Have you ever have a bout of work flu, and just thought "today I can't be bothered"? And that one day turns into two days, and two days turns in three days..... and so on.

I am wondering if this is just a temporary phase, or is it burnout from the early days of setting up the business? Or maybe I should look for new pastures? Anyone been through this?

 

[Tier1Logistics]

I go through that nearly every day when I wake up but unless you learn to suck it up and push past it your business will succeed if you let it get the best of you your business will fail.

Everyone must go through this phase as it's hard work to make a business a success.

 

[Aileen B]

I've often felt like what I'm doing is pointless and it has demotivated me to the point of taking weeks off to do nothing. But I am also prone to bouts of severe depression so it all ties together.
Barring any underlying emotional issues though, see how long you feel like this for. If its more than a few weeks it's probably time to take a step back and ask yourself why? Is it because you're plodding on and not seeing results? That's pretty normal at the start of any business and you can overcome it in time.
If it's because you've lost interest in the business then yes. It may be time to shake things up a bit, take it in a new direction, or shut up shop and move onto something else.

 

[BeMarketed]

Of course - we're all human, you are definitely not alone! What you need to do is find something in the business that excites you - e.g. find a new potential customer.

The longer you leave it the harder it becomes to get back into it - so find that passion again!

 

[MASSEY]

My trouble has been that when i was piss poor i was enthusiastic although had a tendency to be lazy, now i am better off (not rich) i don't feel as though i need to work as much and that tendency to be lazy increases.

I made a resolution to work harder this year but reckon for most of the year i have worked less than 6 hours a day.

I'm feeling slightly more motivational lately though.

 

[Aileen B]

Try not to be so hard on yourself. If you are managing to run a profitable business in 6 hours a day, that's great! If you berate yourself for not working 9-5 or longer you'll just become demoralized
What motivates you? Sounds like before it was not being poor, but now you are earning, that mindset won't work any more.

 

[Tier1Logistics]

I do try to work between 7-9 hours a day, I am clocking between 6-7hrs now. But I do have days where I just pass some work onto someone else who works and ask them but I still put hours in when I go home and end up still working on a laptop while in front of the telly..

 

[MASSEY]

Not much motivates me, i'm a glass half empty kinda guy.

My nephews refer to me as grumpy uncle Nick which says it all i guess.

I think i need to read one of those soppy motivational books to try and change my outlook on life.

 

[Tier1Logistics]

Massey

Just look up some motivational videos on YouTube saves reading just sit back plug the ear phones in and listen away.

 

[PipeTen-Carl]

What you're feeling is not unusual, pacing yourself and/or recognising the signs early may help to reduce the frequency or longevity of any crashes. Also if you're in a management position, then delegation is not a bad thing, don't forget to factor in thinking time outside the office into your contribution/direction. Task/Goal/Milestone/Growth/Income/whatever metrics can be useful to make and track and balance work/life too. If you were not working, what would you normally be doing? what would you ideally be doing?

 

[hipwuk]

*Phew* I thought it was just me! TBH, my business has been up and running for a while now, and I am in the fortunate position to only work 2-3 hrs per day. I know the business could be more successful - if I put in the hours. But right now, I have no desire to stretch myself. When I was working much harder (16 hr days), I was earning more money but I was deeply unhappy about the lack of work/life balance. Is this the point where business owners start to "let go" of the business?

 

[PipeTen-Carl]

Is this the point where business owners start to "let go" of the business?

If you're achieving your life and income goals, why change?

 

[Tier1Logistics]

Have you thought about taking someone else on to do the hours your not doing if the business can achieve more or someone to work along side you.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Don't laugh in my face, but I think you need to start a second business. that will regain your fire and impact on the first in a positive way.

Also I have to say, (as many have said about hours worked), it isn't how many hours you spend in work that matters, it is how many hours of work you actually do, and ensuring those hours are spent where theya re needed.

 

[Skevi Pethers]

I think you just need to take some time off. Think of new things to re-heat on your business then consider executing it.

Probably burnout hit you before you even noticed it - this is why recognizing it before it even gets near you. And its totally fine to consider things as such. Maybe it's time to have a overhaul on your self, as you said you're earning better now. Maybe put up something new on the biz and see where it goes.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I find I am rarely demotivated about work... what usually infuriates me is when something is stopping me from getting on with something I want or need to do.

Occasionally I feel a bit flat, but that's only if there's no business in or I'm having to twiddle my thumbs waiting for others to get back to me.

 

[Pish_Pash]

My problem is that I've recently hit cruising altitude ...in other words, I've now built my business to equal the (reasonably paying) job I was made redundant from a couple of years ago.

Upon reflection, I worked way too hard to gain cruising altitude & now thatI'm here, I'm not so sure I can be arsed to muster up the energy to enter the next phase (which is more of the same...but with more grief!!)

I'm one of those types where the 'thrill of the chase' is where it's at...& the initial chase was to stop my lawn being repossessed (?? google "fun with dick and jane" ...lawn repo)...so I now worry that I probably need another fresh chase.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I'm one of those types where the 'thrill of the chase' is where it's at...so I now worry that I probably need another fresh chase.

Some people are like this. There are serial entrepreneurs who set up businesses, get them to a certain level, sell them and then start another one.

 

[BristolBiz]

Ashley just beat me to this, some get their buzz from the start-up, others flourish in the managing of the business. There are things you can do to help yourself - Double your Business by Lee Duncan helped me, its got a good self appraisal section that can highlight important stuff to work on.

 

[Gecko001]

Yes I have lost my mojo on several occasions. The pattern is I really work hard with my head down pushing myself and then when I see that my hard work is not paying off, I panic and look around for something else to do and then the process is repeated all over again. I am not just talking about business, but the pattern has been repeated with academic/professional qualification, salaried jobs as well. Business is very slow at the minute and I hope my mojo is not getting ready to pack its bags and go walkabouts again.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hipwuk I can assure you you really arent alone.

I've experienced it and probably the majority of business owners I've worked with have at some stage felt the same.

I personally find this time of year worse when its dark and grey for so long.

Something I've found works for me is to have an interest that I am passionate about outside of work which for me is my motorbike. I get on the bike and completely forget about anything work related.

 

[Pish_Pash]

Something I've found works for me is to have an interest that I am passionate about outside of work which for me is my motorbike. I get on the bike and completely forget about anything work related.

But what if you sell motorbike parts?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

But what if you sell motorbike parts?

 

[Jim Barker]

I drew this years ago and it's depressing how relevant it still is, to me at least. It's been a particularly harsh three months and I have never felt more like just jacking it in and disappearing into the sunset. It's going to a long dark winter.

 

[The Byre]

I am constantly jolly, positive and up-beat. So much so, that it seems to annoy some people - my wife in particular! I sometimes get the feeling that she would like to have 'moods' but cannot, as it is very difficult to have a 'down' day, when you are with someone who is laughing at his own jokes and engaging in a one-man farting contest.

I never doubt that whatever I am about to do, no matter how idiotic and hair-brained it may seem to others, is just the best idea ever!

I once lost a very large sum in a business venture and the bloke at the bank gave me his condolences and I was genuinely surprised and told him not to be so silly. "It's only money!" I said. "It's not important! I'll crack-on with the next daft idea!"

 

[Gecko001]

I drew this years ago and it's depressing how relevant it still is, to me at least. It's been a particularly harsh three months and I have never felt more like just jacking it in and disappearing into the sunset. It's going to a long dark winter.

A very good cartoon. Is your business connected to drawing or creativity if you do not mind me asking? I am in a job which has a creative aspect to it and although it can be very rewarding it can send you up the walls sometimes. Maybe I should have a hobby that is very mundane to give balance.

 

[HazelC]

Yes, I wrote a post about this a little while back. It's okay to have time away from the office to get your mojo back, it's okay to worry or panic and it will all be okay. As long as you still want to do it after a few days and this doesn't happen all the time then you'll be fine

 

[tony84]

I go through stages.

The first 8 months of this year I hammered it. I then realised the amount I had earnt was a lot more than my target and went to Vegas for a fortnight. When I came back I was in cba mode and have been pretty much ever since. I have done enough to tick over but as @Pish_Pash says, I think once you get to whatever your target was its very easy to coast.

Its coming up to the end of the year, if you can afford to then I would just coast and do what you need to. Recharge your batteries, work on a plan for the new year and make the most of being your own boss. Then when the new year comes go at it like a bull in a china shop.

If you cant afford to coast, join a gym. I tend to find I come out ready and raring to go...although occasionally I do come out and think nah, that did not work. Another trick I find is going to a coffee shop and paying for parking. You know you have to get all of your work done in that timeframe so you just crack on and hammer it, just write a list the night before.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

God what a load of wimps, want it all and moan when you have to get up and do a bit of work.

You even all post about it on a forum

Think of the kids living on the roads in India or Africa, The people who worked in steel having a fantastic Christmas, Pull yourselves together and get on with life

 

[Jim Barker]

A very good cartoon. Is your business connected to drawing or creativity if you do not mind me asking? I am in a job which has a creative aspect to it and although it can be very rewarding it can send you up the walls sometimes. Maybe I should have a hobby that is very mundane to give balance.

Yes, I'm a graphic designer specialising in cartoon artwork and humorous illustration. Thanks for asking.