Burnout. Setbacks. Client issues. Even the most experienced business owners face these challenges. Life happens, and we’re not immune to its ebbs and flows. But when we experience these lows, it zaps our energy and, at times, our passion for our business.
I myself have gone through these periods. Luckily, I’ve found a few practices that help me reset and rekindle my love for what I do.
Retreat (Get Away)
When you’re feeling off and you’ve lost your passion for business (or life), a change of scenery can truly make a difference.
Put yourself in a new environment. Get away from the day-to-day that you’re so accustomed to. Even if it’s just for a weekend or a few days. Taking that break will help you feel refreshed when you return to the work environment.
Retreating will give you some much-needed time to reflect, reevaluate and reconnect with your passion for what you do. Life priorities shift sometimes. What mattered to you when you first started may not matter today (and that’s okay). A little reflection can put you back on the right path.
Changes may be needed, but if you don’t give yourself that time to analyze, you may never come to this realization.
Even something as simple as exposing yourself to new ideas and perspectives can help. Watching the History Channel has inspired me. I’ve watched episodes about business leaders like Vanderbilt, Rockefeller and Carnegie who rebuilt their industries after the Civil War. Despite the immense challenges they faced, they overcame them. It’s a great reminder that hardships often lead to reinvention.
Maybe reinvention is exactly what you need.
Carve Out Time for Yourself
If you read the above and are thinking, I can’t get away for a period of time, not all hope is lost.
Carve out time in the morning or afternoon for yourself. Go for a walk. Head to a local coffee shop. Allow yourself some time for reflection outside of your normal environment.
I recommend that everyone tries to do this a few days a week. Make sure these breaks are work-free. Just observe and be in the moment. Giving yourself that little break will help your mind recharge and refuel your energy stores.
It may not seem like much, but small breaks can have a positive impact. Research shows that purposeful breaks of 5-60 minutes can improve your ability to focus, your energy levels and your productivity.
It’s a small investment that delivers big returns.
After these quiet moments of reflection, you may find that the solution to a problem you’re facing was staring you in the face the entire time. Or you might find that it’s time to shift gears and try a new approach to your business.
In all cases, you need to give yourself space to step away, even if only briefly.
Talk to Others
In the midst of challenges, it’s easy to get stuck in your own head and lose sight of the bigger picture.
Business leaders often struggle to find others who can relate to the challenges they face. This is where seeking out intentional relationships matters. Having a real conversation – whether it’s with a coach, mentor or someone you admire – can be grounding. These are the people who understand the highs and lows of business and can give you valuable advice.
Make sure you come to the conversation prepared with a list of great questions and an open ear.
Read Inspiring Books or Articles
As business owners, we have a tendency to get tunnel vision, and that can make it challenging to stay motivated and keep the passion alive.
We can’t see the forest for the trees.
Reading inspiring books and articles can help you get out of that headspace and expand your thinking.
For me personally, I can say that reading re-energizes me and reminds me of the impact I can have with my clients and team. The way I treat my employees affects how they show up. It serves as a reminder to prioritize things that matter and to consider the impact of my actions.
Overall, reading can help you become a better leader.
- It helps you become a better thinker
- It improves your people skills
- It helps improve communication skills
But most importantly, reading opens your mind to new ideas and perspectives that can reignite your motivation and desire to keep pushing forward.
Create a list of books to read and challenge yourself to work through every single one. Take notes, absorb the information and inject these new approaches or perspectives into your workflow.
Reevaluate Your Offerings
Sometimes, we lose our motivation and drive because things just aren’t working anymore. Economies shift. Competitors come and go. Nothing is permanent, which is why we need to be agile as business leaders.
When the landscape changes, we need to step back and take an honest look at our offerings.
- Are profit margins or sales declining?
- Do we have more competition?
- Are price pressures squeezing us?
If the answer is “yes,” then it’s time for some reevaluation.
Start by analyzing your market. Is there an unmet need? Is there something your target market wants that isn’t being offered by your competitors?
If so, how can you meet this need?
Introducing something new or different can rekindle your passion. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a complete overhaul of your business. But a new project can spark innovation and drive growth that can help you reach your goals even faster.
Final Thoughts
All business leaders (even the greatest ones) face challenges, both personal and professional. Rather than resisting these obstacles or getting stuck in a rut, accept it and ask yourself: What am I going to do to change course?
Hidden in every challenge is an opportunity for growth, whether it’s launching a new product or just shifting your mindset.
As you create and evaluate new options during difficult times, make sure that you’re intentional in your actions and mindset. Don’t just sit on the sidelines waiting for the perfect moment to take action. Do it now and start building momentum.
It’s that momentum that will help you get your passion back.
Whenever I’ve lost a top client or employee, I’ve used these moments as opportunities to go back to our roots and who we want to be as a firm. Yes, the difficult times are challenging, but it’s how we overcome them that matters.
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