Remember when you first started your small business and you were on fire with passion, drive, and ambition? But as time passed, that fire began to dwindle... and maybe today it’s more like a weak flame rather than a roaring bonfire.
It happens — don’t worry. The daily grind of operating a small business can suck the life out of even the most passionate business owner over time. The good news is that there are some surefire ways to stay passionate about your small business.
I asked around and collected the best tips from several successful small business owners about how others can stay passionate — so let’s see what they had to say.
Opportunities & Growth
Ross Simmonds, the owner of a digital strategy business said,
“For me, staying passionate about my small business is easy. It starts with understanding the overarching vision of where I want to take the business and why I started in the first place. I'm passionate about helping people, but beyond that, I'm excited about the opportunities that my business can offer me — like the freedom to travel and the ability to give back.”
Lesson on Passion: Don’t lose sight of where you’re headed and where you started…and remember to be grateful for the many luxuries your small business provides.
Have a Support Network
Jill Salzman of FoundingMoms said, “The best way to stay passionate is by talking to other people who support what you do. It's the simple things!”
Lesson on Passion: Small business ownership can be lonely, so it’s important to have a network of team members, mentors, and supporters you can call on to keep you motivated and accountable.
Celebrate Your Freedom
Aaron Taube, a freelance writer and reporter, said of his small business:
“One thing that helps me stay motivated is taking a moment to be grateful for the incredible freedom my small business provides me. Other people have to work extra hours without extra compensation, but I know that if I'm burning the midnight oil to finish a project, I'll be rewarded appropriately. When I take a step back, I am able to appreciate the fact that I have it better and easier than almost everyone else that has ever lived. This makes it a lot easier for me to be excited about producing quality work for the clients who allow me to have this freedom.”
Lesson on Passion: Small business ownership means having the freedom to call the shots — and not to be at the mercy of someone else’s schedule, needs, and wants. This should be celebrated regularly, because like Aaron said, this is a huge perk of small business ownership that not everyone gets to enjoy.
The “Why”
Brad Farris of Anchor Advisors said, “Passion is all about the “WHY.” Remember why you started, why you are “in” this, and then outsource everything else!”
Lesson on Passion: The beauty of small business ownership is that you can outsource the things that you’re not passionate about — it’s your job to focus on the exciting elements that made you fall in love with your business in the first place.
Stay Passionate About Your Small Business
This Valentine’s Day, even if you don’t have a significant other to smother with flowers and gifts, you can celebrate your small business. Stay passionate about your small business by following the tips outlined here — but think of what you personally adore about your business, too.
We want to hear from you: What helps you stay passionate about your small business?
