For the past few months I’ve been really unmotivated. Why? There was so much going on and I was trying to do everything, especially with the business, and felt I was getting nowhere, and I just wasn’t myself. I started to get demotivated and took a VERY LONG break to find myself and get motivated again.
I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to get motivated again and it took me such a long time. But I needed the long break and it worked, my motivation came back. I did a lot of journalling, reading and focusing on what’s important in my life and what gives me joy in my business. I’m happy that I re-found my mojo!
If you feel unmotivated in your business, STOP, and take a break! It’s important to look after yourself and to re-focus.
I really missed my podcast, talking to the camera and being myself. I had put too much pressure on myself. The first thing I’ve decided to do is to bring back my podcast, but I will be doing it at home. It might not be PERFECT. I have been watching The Sam and Billie Show on YouTube. They are recording in their own home made me realise that I can do this too. It doesn’t need to be PERFECT!
Do you have your own podcast?
If you do, comment below with your podcast channel. My first step is bringing back my podcast. I am excited and that really helped to bring my motivation back. What else have I decided? I am still doing my blogs as I do love writing too. There’s nothing wrong in having both, is there? Weekly podcast and weekly blogs are my main jobs. I’m loving YouTube just now. We are not the only ones feeling unmotivated, there are many women feeling the same and they have posted their videos too, go and check them out. Type in feeling unmotivated in the search bar.
Did you know YouTube is the most accessible platform?
I can watch videos, podcasts etc as they all have subtitles. I will be filming A Week of my Life as a Deaf Person for YouTube as this is the platform on which I really want to focus going forward and adding my podcasts too. Video podcasts are more accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing because we can watch the subtitles instead of on audio platforms where they are not there. And then creating my blog which I love to do in my spare time.
How good is your planning and time management?
Mine was terrible as I ended up burnt out and emotional exhausted. Took a VERY LONG break. I decided to read this book ‘working hard hardly working’ how to achieve more, stress less and feel fulfilled by Grace Beverley. It is a really good book, I am still reading it. I have been watching Grace’s YouTube channel as well. I have learned so much from her especially how to create your own balance, be more productive and feel fulfilled.
When I was feeling unmotivated, I couldn’t concentrate or set any goals because everything was just too much and I felt overwhelmed. I have decided to stop writing my goals. I rather focus on each day. Don’t overload yourself with too many goals or overly high expectations. I felt I had failed. But I haven’t failed. That’s business for you! You will have ups and downs and when things get tough, stop and re-focus. Remember, you aren’t alone.
I have decided to schedule all my plans in my diary and block out time for my kids’ clubs, going to the gym, and take regular breaks. I am more motivated when I plan and schedule my daily tasks. Every day I would write today's schedule.
For example, my today's schedule would be:
6:30 Time to get up, get myself and kids ready
8:45 Drop kids off at school
9:15 At the gym, check emails and reply
9:30 Switch off and start my workout
10:30 BLOCK 1: Write blog & plan which photos to use
11:30 BLOCK 2: Designing artwork for Ariozo Design
12:30 LUNCH BREAK
1:00 BLOCK 3: Writing content for my social media platforms
2:00 Quick tidying up, get things organised before kids come home.
3:00 School run
I would highlight each task once I've completed them so my mind is clear and I am able to focus on the rest of my day.
One thing I struggle the most is Social Media!
I am going to be really honest here. Social media doesn’t help when you are not motivated. You find yourself even more annoyed or comparing with others. I’ve decided to take a break and that does help. I find it too much of a pressure keeping up with the algorithms and trends. Do you know what, I’ve decided to just be authentically myself online and enjoy it. It’s important for me to have a community and focus on clients that want to be more inclusive and accessible in their businesses.
Running a business or becoming an influencer is hard. I also remind myself of this quote
To be successful you have to look after yourself
I have to remind myself to be more patient, many businesses have taken a very long time to get off the ground. I felt something was missing. There were certain parts of the business I didn’t want to do, and those I did want to do. When I took my break, I was thinking about so many things, but I finally fathomed out what I really wanted to do, but it’s going to be a long journey, and that’s OK. I want to do this properly instead of rushing it all and burning myself out. Being a sole trader is tough especially when there is only one of you!
GIF description: there are two woman talking and one of them is saying now, you look after yourself.
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