“Your legacy is being written by yourself. Make the right decisions” – Gary Vaynerchuk
Let me start by asking you a question… have you every found yourself sitting at your desk, look at a blank screen – not knowing what to do next?
If the answer is yes; trust me when I say you are not alone.
That feeling of feeling stuck is not a great feeling. Sometimes it can feel like everyone else has their stuff together, moving their businesses forward whilst you are sitting there stuck in the same place – not knowing what to do next.
There can be many reasons why people feel stuck in their businesses. It could be due to lack of clarity around goals, not having a solid business plan in place, fear of failure, or feeling overwhelmed (just to name a few!).
It’s important to take time to reflect on what may be causing this feeling.
I think this is something that most entrepreneurs experience at some point in their business journey. We have so much going on all of the time that it can be overwhelming. Too many thoughts running through our heads at any given time which can often lead to feeling confused, overwhelmed or burnt out.
We can often experience that feeling of being stuck in a rut when change is also happening. In today’s post-covid world, ongoing change seems to be the default setting and something that we are all having to adapt to – all of the time.
Sometimes it can feel really challenging to know what to do for the best; especially if you are on your own in your business, everything falls on your shoulders. You have to be everything to everyone all of the time and it can be exhausting.
Below are 5 tips on how to get unstuck in your business so that you can start to move yourself forward.
TIP 1: Reconnect to your vision
- Review your vision: Start by reviewing your vision and remind yourself of why it is important to you.
- Identify key goals: what do you need to do to achieve your vision?
- Identify distractions: Identify the things that distract you or divert your attention away from your goals. These could be external factors like social media, friends, or family, or even internal factors like procrastination, fear, or self-doubt.
- Create a plan: Once you have identified your distractions, create a plan to manage them. This could include setting aside specific times for social media or creating a schedule for when you’ll work on your goals.
TIP 2: Keep track of your progress
Assessing your progress can help you stay on track and motivate you towards achieving your goals. Here are some steps to guide you in assessing your progress:
- Define your goals: Be clear about what you want to achieve and why it is important to you.
- Set specific and measurable milestones: Break down your goal into smaller achievable steps that you can measure.
- Keep track of your progress: Write down your achievements, setbacks, and challenges.
- Analyze your progress: Reflect on how far you have come, what obstacles you’ve encountered, and what you’ve learned.
- Celebrate your successes: Give yourself credit for your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be.
- Adjust your approach: If you’re not making progress, reconsider your approach and adjust your strategy accordingly.
By regularly assessing your progress, you can identify areas where you need to improve and make changes to get back on track towards achieving your goals.
TIP 3: Get advice
It can be helpful to get an outsider’s perspective on your business. Reach out to mentors, advisors, or other business owners who have experience in your industry. They may be able to offer fresh insights and solutions.
- Identify the problem: Start by clearly defining the problem or situation that you need advice on. This will help you focus your search for advice.
- Determine who to ask: Think about the people in your network who might be able to offer helpful advice. Consider their experience, skills, and areas of expertise.
- Reach out: Once you have identified the person or people you want to ask for advice, reach out to them. Explain the situation and why you are seeking their advice. Be clear about what you hope to gain from their insight.
- Be open-minded: When seeking advice, it’s important to keep an open mind. Listen to the advice you receive and consider it carefully. Even if you don’t ultimately take the advice, it can still be valuable to hear different perspectives.
TIP 4: Recharge yourself
Burnout can be a very real and overwhelming experience that can leave you feeling depleted, exhausted, and unmotivated. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to recharge yourself and overcome burnout. Here are some tips:
- Take a break: One of the most effective ways to recharge from burnout is to give yourself time off. Take a vacation or just take a day or two to relax and unwind. If possible, take some time off work or any other stressful situations that may be contributing to your burnout. Use this time to relax and do something enjoyable.
- Self-care: Take care of yourself by eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising regularly. Also, practice self-care activities that help you relax and unwind, such as meditation, yoga, or a relaxing bath.
- Connect with others: Reach out to friends and family for support and connection. Engage in social activities that bring you joy and help you feel connected.
- Set boundaries: Learn to say no and prioritise your own needs. This means setting boundaries and making sure that you’re not overcommitting yourself.
Remember, recovery from burnout takes time, so be kind to yourself and allow yourself the space you need to heal.
TIP 5: Try something new
Trying something new in business can be daunting, but it’s also a necessary part of staying competitive and relevant in today’s fast-changing landscape. Here are some steps to help you try something new in your business:
- Identify the area you want to improve: Determine what aspect of your business needs improvement or where you want to explore new opportunities. This could be anything from developing a new idea to creating a brand new product to trying out different marketing strategies
- Carry out research: Research is key to understanding the potential impact of your new idea and assessing the risks that come with it. Analyse market trends, consider your competitors’ actions, and speak with experts in the field.
- Create a strategic plan: Develop a plan for how you will implement your new idea, including timelines, budgets, and metrics to measure success. Consider contingencies and make sure the plan is feasible and aligned with your overall business strategy.
- Test your idea: Before fully committing to your new idea, test it on a small scale to get feedback from customers or colleagues. This allows you to refine your approach and identify any issues that need to be addressed before scaling up.
- Monitor progress: Once you have launched the new idea, continue to monitor its progress and analyze the impact on your business. Make adjustments as needed and stay open to feedback and suggestions from others.
Remember, trying something new always involves some level of risk, but it can also lead to significant rewards and growth opportunities for your business.
Summary
Getting stuck in business is a common experience for most entrepreneurs. However challenging it is, we must stay motivated because motivation is key to staying focused on your goals. Find ways to stay inspired, whether it’s through affirmations, inspirational quotes, or surrounding yourself with supportive people. The key is to stay positive, take action, and keep moving forward.
