Being an entrepreneur and building up a fully-functioning, complex business from scratch is no mean feat. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears, not to mention a whole lot of sheer determination to make it as a startup owner. In other words, it isn’t by any stretch of the imagination easy.
Even if you enjoy your work, and you love being in control of your own destiny, there will be times when you experience struggles – struggles within your business and struggles in your own head. Why did I do this? How am I going to cope? Should I just give up now? These are all questions the average entrepreneur has asked herself at least once or twice.
It’s pretty normal to have a tough time of it when you’ve been brave enough to take a leap. But how exactly do you deal with the inevitable struggles of being a startup owner?
Get Some Head Space
When you’re struggling, whether it’s because your cash flow has dried up or you can’t work out the best way to market that new product you’re set to launch, perhaps, the best thing you can do for yourself is to take some time out. Give yourself a break from business-related stuff, take a walk, meditate, relax on a hot beach with a cocktail in your hand. This might seem like the last thing you should be doing, but as the owner of your startup, you need to bring your A-game. Without you, there is no business. If you have a meltdown, you won’t help anyone – least of all yourself.
Don’t Stick Your Head in the Sand
Although you should definitely take time to give yourself a break, that doesn’t mean you should stick your head in the sand about your situation. It is vital that you look at your struggles objectively, assess the situation and work out what needs to be done. Also figure out what’s stopping you from reaching your goals and maintaining your peace of mind.
Seek Inspiration
It’s a good idea when you’re struggling with running a startup or even with being an entrepreneur at all, that you spend your time being as positive as possible. Look at this entrepreneurship blog or check out what other companies in your niche are doing to get some fresh inspiration. It’s not just you – everyone struggles. But there is plenty of success to be had. This is a great way to keep your spirits up and push you back on the right track.
Commitment Without Attachment
If you’re struggling with your role as a business owner, commit to doing your very best without overly attaching yourself to the outcome. Of course, the two are pretty solidly linked in reality, but this is more of a mental exercise than anything else. The commitment to do your best will see you through, while the detachment will ensure that you don’t start to get too overwhelmed again. After all, no one can do more than their best. So do that and you should have little to worry about.
I hope this helps you put things into perspective and overcome your struggles to continue building a hugely successful business!