Written by: Debra Abraham, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Entrepreneurship requires the mental strength of an athlete. Mental toughness and resilience will brace entrepreneurs up as they respond to the curveballs thrown at them throughout their entrepreneurial journey. In the life of an entrepreneur, you will experience days of exhilaration; when everything goes according to plan and the success of a project is duly celebrated. Then there are days when setbacks are rife and you need to go back to the drawing board to initiate new business strategies. The most exasperating of days are the ones where you wind up feeling lost, for whatever reason, and you struggle to get back on track, grappling in the dark to find direction and restore balance in your life and business. But why? Why does an entrepreneur go through periods of drifting, thrown about by the currents of doubt, confusion and fear?
Finding your direction as a business owner is vital as you are the leader of the pack and the captain of your ship! Without your direction, the morale of your team, the efficacy of business decisions and your business growth will be grossly affected. Hence, it is critical for you as an entrepreneur to address the issues which are hampering your ability to have a sense of direction in your business.
Here are 5 steps to help entrepreneurs reframe their thoughts and find direction again.
1. Identify the cause
Why do you feel lost? Has your business reached a dead end and you are unsure about what steps to take next? Have there been events in your personal life which have affected your ability to focus? Have there been new developments in your industry which have unnerved you? Identifying the root cause requires profound soul searching. Search yourself & journal your discoveries as you excavate the layers of your emotions & thoughts.
2. Revisit your purpose & business goals
When was the last time you sat down and thought about why you started your business? Do you recall the day you made the decision to set up shop? Do you remember the passion and the drive you had to make a difference and offer your unique service or product to the world? Write down your thoughts as the process of putting your down your ideas in written form helps you stay accountable and committed to your plans. In addition to this, reassess your business goals. Analyze and plan out the steps to reach these goals. Include timelines, collaboration partners, and be as detailed as you can. This process will help you to reignite the fire you had as you chart out your journey.
3. Get a mentor/coach
Sometimes, entrepreneurs can get stuck in their businesses. Having a second pair of eyes to look at market needs, business processes, blocks that are hampering growth, as well as new business growth strategies, is invaluable. Engaging a coach or having a mentor to guide you as you navigate through your business plans, will help you alleviate some of the anxiety and feelings of insecurity. Choose a coach or mentor who has had experience in growing businesses in your industry. Align your objectives and goals at the beginning and allow yourself to be coachable. A good coach/mentor will help to open your mind to see a new range of possibilities for your business.
4. Be part of a trusted community
People say that the journey of an entrepreneur is a lonesome one. Not anymore. With the ubiquitous presence of social media, there are a host of entrepreneur networking and support groups available. Join these groups and identify a few which you resonate best with. Give and enjoy support from the members of these groups. You will make new connections and be inspired by the journeys of others which inadvertently will enrich your entrepreneurial journey.
5. Cut out the noise
Too much clutter whether tangible or intangible can affect your mental well-being. Find ways to simplify your business processes. Use technology and automate processes as much as you can. Outsource tasks that can be outsourced so you have more time to plan and work on your business. Restore peace and calm (as much as possible!) in your life & business.
Spend some time away from your business and go through these steps. It will invigorate, calm and help you breathe new life into your business. All the best!
Debra Abraham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Debra Abraham, the founder of Rockstarz Performing Arts Studios, has been coaching students of all ages to find their identities and be empowered through music. She leads a team of skilled instructors to provide music education in a nurturing & student-centered environment, allowing them to express themselves boldly. She is currently working on building her online singing community. She believes in empowering people to pursue their dreams, free themselves of limiting beliefs, and inspire others through their journey. She aspires to inspire small business owners in mindset & personal development, which will lead towards positive transformation of themselves and their businesses.
