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Entrepreneurial spark
7 min read

10 Ways To Reignite Your Entrepreneurial Spark

Passion, ambition, energy, and confidence… a few common traits of a successful entrepreneur. But let’s not forget – we’re all human, and running a business is more of a marathon than a sprint. No one can keep their foot on the gas day in, day out – there will likely be energy lulls and setbacks that naturally come with the territory. Some projects might not work out as planned, unforeseen costs might crop up – a pandemic might hit-! – all challenges that can chip away at your entrepreneurial spirit.

Losing your spark will not only slow you down, but could have lasting consequences for your business. Luckily, there’s a number of proactive steps you can take to reclaim the ambition and drive that compelled you to launch your business in the first place.

 

1. Retreat, reflect, regroup

A pretty obvious one, but essential nonetheless! It’s time to take a break. Step away from your inbox and WhatsApp messages, set your out of office and (quite literally) switch off. Your body and mind need time to fully rest and rejuvenate. If you don’t look after yourself, you’re not going to be able to look after your business.

Once you’ve rested, enjoy reflecting on all that you’ve achieved so far, and what you think might need to change in order for growth. Make sure to put self care on your to-do list – whether it’s going for a walk or taking a full lunch break away from your desk/workplace. Schedule future holidays and personal time off into your calendar, you’ll feel much better handling stressful work scenarios when you know you have some TLC on the horizon.

 

2. Improve your work environment

While retreating and focusing on your wellbeing can provide the important break you need, returning to an unchanged work environment is only going to put you back to where you started from. Running your own business is rewarding, but it also comes with a lot of stress and anxiety – which can impact your passion. If you want to thrive in the long term, you have to focus on cleaning up the environment that’s affecting you every day. Psychologist and popular Instagrammer, Dr Julie, makes the point perfectly with a fish tank:

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dr Julie Smith | Psychologist (@drjulie)

Do you feel your work environment could be extinguishing your spark? Think about the type of worker you are – what’s your happiest type of work environment and does your current set up offer you this? For example, do you have a designated quiet space to take a break in and decompress? Could the decor be jazzed up a bit, with brighter colours, plants? Are things neatly organised, with designated zones for certain tasks? Keep trial and error in mind – try something new and see what impact it has on your energy, enthusiasm and productivity.

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3. Talk to someone

According to a recent survey of small business owners by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), 96% said they keep the stress of running a business bottled up. Two-thirds felt as though they have nobody to talk to about their problem, with 63% admitting to deprioritising their mental health in the name of success. 56% feel like they need help with their mental health, but aren’t sure where to start. Talking to a counsellor is a really positive step forward. You don’t have to be at rock bottom to seek counselling – it’s an opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and others. A counsellor will help you find your own solutions, whether it’s making changes in your life or finding ways of coping with problems. A great place to start is the BACP website (choosing a BACP-registered counsellor gives you an assurance that they meet the standards of proficiency, training and ethical practice you would expect).

 

4. Set goals for the year ahead

Having plans and goals for the upcoming year is a good idea. Set aside time to break these goals into smaller tasks to action each month, or even weekly. By scheduling them, you’re not only ensuring they’re actioned, but you know you’ve allocated time for them, helping you compartmentalise your workload. It’s a good feeling knowing you’re regularly working towards your business goals, as well as taking care of the more menial day-to-day tasks.

 

5. Delegate

As your business grows, you might find yourself taking care of more menial tasks to keep your business ticking over. However, it’s in these moments that you are working in your business, rather than on it. While it’s hard to let go of certain tasks, it’s important to step away from the smaller tasks in order to focus on the bigger picture. Your employees will appreciate the additional responsibility and trust you’re giving them, which can only strengthen your team further.

If you’re not in a position to hire a team just yet, have a look at technology solutions that could streamline your workload, from accounting software to social media scheduling tools. Working with a qualified accountant will also assist in the running of your business – some offer bookkeeping, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, credit control and overall financial advice such as setting suitable, competitive prices. An accountant will also be able to offer you up-to-date information on any general or legal enquiries and be aware of the latest tax laws, regulations and deadlines. In short, they can take some of the stress off your shoulders when it comes to your finances, while working with you to ensure your business is on track to meet its goals.

Read more:

If you really want to grow as an entrepreneur, you’ve got to learn to delegate.

Richard Branson British entrepreneur

6. Find a higher purpose

When the going gets tough, reconnect with the bigger ‘why’ behind your business. Reconnect with what sort of difference your business makes to people’s lives – and look for the greater meaning in what you’re doing e.g. Am I trying to make a change for the better within my industry? Am I producing my product / delivering my services in the most eco-friendly, sustainable way? Am I supporting my local community enough? Is there a charity partner I could work with? Connecting to a higher purpose can help refocus you when you’re feeling demotivated by the daily grind.

 

7. Innovate

Has your day-to-day become a bit monotonous? Is your business plateauing? It might be time to encourage innovation within your business to take it in a new direction. Knowledge is power so make sure you gather as much feedback as you can across the board, from clients to colleagues. Encourage your team to think outside the box when it comes to new ideas. Support and encourage each other to consider new ideas and processes that could prevent the business stagnating.

 

8. Keep learning

Keep feeding your passion by continually educating yourself. An entertaining podcast while you get ready in the morning, or an inspirational book before bed might just be the medicine you need to stay positive and productive.

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9. Get rid of destructive habits

 Unhelpful habits can hold us back. Behaviour routines repeated regularly can significantly impact the type of person you are, who you become, and – if you’re a small business owner – the overall success of your business. But here’s the thing with habits – they tend to occur subconsciously. So how can you put a stop to them, if you’re unaware you’re doing them in the first place? Awareness is key – so we recently shined a spotlight on some common destructive workplace habits that are hindering your success, as well as ways to break them. Are there any that sound familiar?

 

10. Surround yourself with exciting people

Sometimes you need someone else to add that extra bit of energy to carry your vision further. If you’re looking to hire someone or work with a contractor, make sure they are as excited about your vision as you are. Also think about having a business mentor in your life – someone who’s been there and got the t-shirt who doesn’t mind sharing their learnings and insight with you.

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As you can see, there are a number of avenues you can explore to help reignite your entrepreneurial spark. Why not try a few and see what fits best?

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Jenny Lambert

Jenny Lambert is a freelance writer, interiors blogger and Etsy shop owner with extensive experience working in marketing, digital and publishing roles.

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