Most business owners find themselves in a rut at some point. You work hard to make your business successful or even to just survive. With so much for you to think about it can be easy to get into a rut and lose the passion for what you do and forget the reasons you started out in business.
For some reason nothing seems to be working, if there can be a problem there will be a problem, we have issues with staff, customers, suppliers, politicians, global warming–everything and everyone. It all gets to be too much.
Sometimes it can be as simple as looking at your business with fresh eyes and getting a different perspective on things. Here are 10 great ways to help get yourself and your business out of a rut.
1. Try to figure out exactly why are you in a rut?
When we are clear about the “why” it becomes much easier to get back on track. We need to put words around it–something like “I don’t feel like I have any challenges in my business” or “it always seems like a financial struggle and I don’t feel like I am getting any closer”. Often this moment of clarity is enough to get things back on track.
2. What’s your big reason “why” for working so hard?
This is important–we need to have a big enough reason to justify why we are doing what we are doing. This applies to motivation overall. If there is not a big enough reason to do something, generally we won’t. It might be time to re-evaluate exactly what your big reason why is.
3. Remember where you came from.
I think that one of the biggest reasons people fall into a rut is that they don’t feel like they are making any progress. I always try to tell my clients that they need to take lots of photos, keep old brochures, keep printouts of old advertisements, logos, websites, uniforms etc., as a way to measure just how far they have come. When we do this we have a sense of progress.
4. Move things or change things simply for the sake of it.
This might be as simple as moving the furniture around in your office, to moving an entire workshop around. One thing I tend to do if I feel I am in a business rut is to change my logo and corporate branding. Luckily I don’t get into a rut every month, that would be expensive for me and confusing for my clients. But a new look for your business does go a long way to reigniting your enthusiasm and passion.
5. Introduce ‘NEW.’
From my experience most business owners love the concept of new ideas, new projects, new products, new clients and new money, more than they love the idea of actually doing the work. What “NEW” things can you introduce into your business to get that energy flowing and the enthusiasm back?
6. Have a holiday.
Let’s be honest, there is never a good time to have a holiday, especially when you own your own business. We are always too busy, there is never enough money, and it is the wrong time and so on. But a holiday, even a mini break, a day off, a weekend away, anything to help get the mind and the body feeling good. And most importantly of all, do it without GUILT.
7. Goof off.
Being in a rut means that everything is just a little bit harder. You tend to spend a lot more time sitting and staring at a computer screen, getting started on projects is hard (normally fear of a looming deadline does it in the end) and your overall productivity is about half of what it normally is. So goof off for a while and do something you really love to do
8. Find a confidante (not a misery buddy).
At times like this it is great to have a good confidante who you can share your feelings and frustrations with. Now this is not a misery buddy, we don’t want someone who is going to reinforce the fact that you are in a rut and enthusiastically keep you there. This is someone who will listen to you, let you get whatever your issues are off your chest, but they will also be wise enough to help you pinpoint what the real issues may be.
9. Get rid of what drives you nuts.
Every business has certain things that drive the business owner nuts. This might be a certain customer, a certain piece of equipment, a dumb system that doesn’t work anymore or a cupboard full of junk. Now is the time to get rid of at least one thing that drives you nuts. It might just be that one customer who you can never please, who despite everything you do is never happy and who takes up so much of your time that other better customers get neglected. Whatever your one thing is, address it today.
10. Complete your ‘incompletes.’
Achieve something. Turn off your phone, ignore emails and work through all of those things that for whatever reason, you have been putting off. There is nothing better than seeing an empty “in” tray with no “incompletes” in it.
Some of these may not seem logical but they work. If you would like to chat to someone who understands running a business and can help you review your business from a fresh perspective then speak to us today. Book in a FREE no obligation meeting. Let’s catch up for a coffee and look at your business with a fresh set of eyes. I guarantee I can identify at least one way you can cut costs, make managing your business easier or improve your profitability!
So what are you waiting for? Call today or click on the book a meeting button below and let’s get you and your business looking forward to the New Year!
