If you have a business, have you ever wondered about the different ways to stay motivated as a small business owner?
As a small business owner, staying motivated can be a constant struggle.
With the demands of running a business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, lose work-life balance, and even lose sight of why you started in the first place.
However, maintaining motivation is crucial for the success of your new business.
In this post, we will discuss various ways to stay motivated as a small business owner and keep pushing towards your goals.
To help you stay inspired, we’ve gathered nineteen (19) unique strategies from successful business owners and CEOs below.
From engaging with satisfied customers to networking outside your core industry, discover the practices that keep these successful entrepreneurs motivated to ensure business success.
Table of Contents
How Do Entrepreneurs Keep Themselves Motivated? (19 Best Strategies for Small Business Motivation)
As an entrepreneur, staying motivated can be a constant challenge.
The journey of building and growing a business is filled with ups and downs, and it can be easy to feel discouraged or burned out.
However, successful entrepreneurs have learned how to keep themselves motivated even in the face of challenge
As a business leader, here are the most important factors and strategies you can use to stay motivated and feel a sense of accomplishment at all times:
1. Engaging with Satisfied Customers
One strategy that consistently fuels motivation as a small-business owner, specifically for my business, is taking the time to engage with customers who have found significant value in the website.
Receiving positive feedback or testimonials from couples who had unforgettable honeymoon experiences through the platform is a priority.
These interactions allow for firsthand accounts of how the platform contributed to their special moments, making all the hard work and dedication feel truly worthwhile.
These conversations serve as a reminder of the impact the business has on people’s lives and inspire continued pushing of boundaries to create exceptional experiences in the long run.
Staying connected with satisfied customers offers a valuable opportunity for learning and growth.
By listening to their insights, valuable information is gained about what aspects of the service were particularly meaningful and how the offerings can continue to be enhanced.
Jim Campbell, Owner, Honeymoons
2. Maintaining a Work-Life Balance
As a small business owner, when I face new challenges that start to affect my mental health, I know it’s because I lack a work-life balance.
Perhaps you are working long hours without taking regular breaks?
So I overcome my lack of motivation by ensuring I carve out time for family, my hobbies, and rest.
Getting enough sleep is crucial too. I also read these millionaire mindset quotes and affirmations for extra positivity and inspiration.
This balance prevents burnout and keeps me refreshed and ready to tackle my set goals and numerous challenges.
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3. Social Engagement and User Feedback
I find it extremely fulfilling to engage with both crypto enthusiasts and our users on social media platforms or at industry events.
The opportunity to hear their stories, answer their questions, and get their feedback on our product energizes me and gives me a sense of purpose.
One example I can share is a user who reached out to me on Twitter, thanking us for making tax filing easier for him.
He had been struggling to keep track of his crypto transactions, and our platform turned a taxing task into a breeze for him.
It’s moments like these that remind me of the impact CoinLedger is making and motivate me to work even harder.
David Kemmerer, Co-Founder and CEO, CoinLedger
4. Learning from Successful People
Staying motivated as a small-business owner can be a daily challenge, but one tactic that’s worked for me is keeping tabs on people who’ve made it in the field.
It’s all about finding a couple of people to follow whose attitude and mindset resonate and seeing how they’ve tackled the problems faced. It’s a great way to learn from them.
These aren’t just any successful folks; these are people whose work is admired and whose success feels real and achievable.
Seeing them succeed gives a kick, a real sense of “I can do this too!”
It’s not about copying what they do; it’s about understanding that if they can make it, with hard work and smart choices, so can anyone.
It’s a simple but powerful way to keep the fire lit and stay on track.
Juliet Dreamhunter, Founder, Juliety
5. Practicing Mindfulness
One personal tactic I’ve found invaluable for staying motivated is to stay anchored in the present by practicing mindfulness.
When I immerse myself fully in the present, nagging uncertainties lose their grip.
Focusing on the “now” not only drowns out the noise but also allows me to appreciate small wins and gradual progress.
It helps me get through the rough patches or tough times.
There was a time when launching our four-day workweek recruitment platform seemed like navigating through an endless labyrinth.
Doubts crept in—would companies even buy into our vision? But by engaging in mindfulness exercises, like deep breathing or grounding techniques, I found my center.
This brought clarity to my decisions and a renewed sense of purpose, ultimately reinforcing my confidence and motivation.
-Phil Mcparlane, Founder and CEO, 4dayweek.io
6. Commemorating Achievements with Mementos
I’ve embraced ‘Milestone Mementos.’ Each achievement, big or small, is commemorated with a unique object.
These tangible symbols of progress remind me of the journey’s vibrancy.
From a quirky mug to a piece of art, they infuse my workspace with reminders of triumphs, kindling motivation through the tactile tapestry of success.
Tasia Duske, CEO, Museum Hack
7. Focusing on Business Start-Up Reasons
So much of my time owning a small business is spent putting out fires and dealing with administrative tasks.
These are important things to do, but sometimes they can become a slog.
That’s why I try to keep my eye on the prize when I’m stuck in the minutiae of the job. I focus on the reasons I started my business. That helps me to recontextualize what I’m doing.
When I used to work for other people, it was easy to get bored with minor and repetitive tasks.
Now that I own my own business, I find a lot more joy in doing these things because I know they’re important for the functioning of the business I actually own.
That sense of ownership helps to keep me motivated for my future goals.
Temmo Kinoshita, Co-Founder, Lindenwood Marketing
8. Using a Digital Vision Board
You started a business for a reason, and I started a business for a reason.
It’s just that sometimes, the challenges and the daily monotony of running a business can make it difficult to remember or keep those reasons top of mind.
Sometimes, it’s like you’re doing it just to be doing it.
I counter this by spending a few minutes on Monday morning and Friday afternoon looking at a digital vision board. I use a mind-mapping tool for this, and I have images of my goals, statements, and other small reminders.
This keeps me grounded and ensures that I never forget where I’m trying to go. During the week, if I encounter an especially challenging situation, I’ll recite a little mantra.
“It’s all worth it in the end. If it’s not worth it, then it’s not the end.”
Daniel Ndukwu, CMO and Co-Founder, DoxFlowy
9. Setting Small Achievable Goals
In my experience, setting plenty of milestones is one of the best ways to stay motivated as a small business owner.
Many small-business owners think big and plan their long-term goals accordingly.
While it’s important to set far-reaching milestones, if you don’t set smaller, easier-to-achieve goals, you can quickly lose motivation as a new entrepreneur.
For example, if your goal is to have 100 blog posts published by the end of the year, you’ll undoubtedly get discouraged along the way.
Imagine the same scenario, but you have smaller goals of publishing 2-3 articles a week.
The latter is far more manageable and will give you the satisfaction and motivation you need to do your best work for long-term success.
Syed Balkhi, Founder, WPBeginner
10. Practicing Regular Gratitude
Practicing gratitude regularly helps maintain motivation for me as a small business owner.
It’s the most effective way to stay happy and grounded.
Instead of focusing solely on what’s next, it’s beneficial to take the time to appreciate what’s already been achieved and the opportunities that have come along.
This supports morale and drives further striving. You can even use this gratitude journal to get started.
For example, every week, listing three things that went well in business, no matter how small they might seem, can be helpful.
These could be positive client feedback, meeting a target, or learning from a struggle.
This habit not only cultivates a positive outlook but also brings motivation, improves overall well-being, and builds resilience in both personal and professional life.
Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture
11. Seeing the Bigger Picture
There’s always a bigger picture, though sometimes it can be harder to see.
It can be so easy to get too involved in the day-to-day, only focusing on small parts that are stressful and can be negative at times.
This is why, to stay motivated, it’s beneficial to take a step back and see how a business is interacting with others.
The goal of our business is to help other small businesses find their niche and blossom.
We provide small business owners with everything from how to file small business taxes to what filing cabinet to get on Amazon.
We strive to help every small business owner responsibly grow their business.
This involvement and knowing that our business is helping others keeps the motivation to write what needs to be written and research all that can be researched.
That’s why the company was started in the first place, to inspire others, and it’s important to look up from the day-to-day and recognize that, to keep the spark in the business heart.
Stefan Campbell, Owner, The Small Business Blog
12. Cultivating a Strong Support Network
As the founder and owner of a law firm, cultivating a strong support network is one specific strategy that helps me remain motivated.
The encouragement and inspiration I receive from surrounding myself with like-minded individuals, colleagues, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs is invaluable.
Regular networking events, industry conferences, and professional associations enable me to communicate with others who have experienced similar difficulties and successes, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
This network enables me to maintain my motivation, gain new perspectives, and remain abreast of industry trends through the sharing of experiences, solicitation of advice, and provision of support.
In addition, celebrating each other’s successes strengthens my resolve and motivation to excel as a small-business proprietor. Together, we flourish through mutual empowerment, making the entrepreneurial voyage gratifying and inspiring.
Michael Callahan, Founder and Director, The Callahan Law Firm
13. Adapting Through Controlled Experimentation
In the early days of my outdoor-gym-equipment venture, I discovered the significance of controlled experimentation.
Once, when sales were stagnating, instead of blindly pushing for more marketing, I decided to tweak our product design slightly, based on customer feedback.
This was a small change, yet it led to a noticeable uptick in sales and better customer experience.
The success of this experiment reinforced my belief that, as a small business owner, continuous learning and adapting can fuel motivation.
Each experiment, whether it succeeds or fails, offers a lesson, and these lessons have been my driving force.
Lucas Riphagen, Co-Owner, TriActiveUSA
14. Promoting Personal Growth and Curiosity
We had a discussion about this as a company recently.
We asked everyone to rank what motivates them at work, with things like “expertise,” “creativity,” and “power” on a scale of 1-10.
Then, we collated those answers to see what motivates people most.
Surprisingly, things like the drive to learn and be independently creative sat at the top of the pile (yes, even above money and power!).
Therefore, the best incentive isn’t some small perk like Pizza Fridays. It’s a company culture that promotes personal growth and rewards curiosity.
Building and working within such an environment is what motivates me as a business owner.
Matthew Stibbe, CEO, Articulate Marketing
15. Using Visualization Techniques
To ensure motivation, I make use of visualization techniques.
To realize this practice, I have created a vision board for myself.
By reminding myself of the long-term business objectives, I’ve been able to stay motivated in my entrepreneurial pursuit.
With the help of visualization and positive affirmations, I have been able to maintain focus on my business goals as a startup business owner.
This simple practice has helped me to remain motivated and to accomplish all the targets I’ve set for myself.
For example, if I want to focus on product innovation, I visualize the outcomes of doing so. This can either be an elevated sales rate, a business partnership opportunity, or anything else.
Caroline Diarte Edwards, Co-Founder, Fortuna Admissions
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16. Starting with a Wellness Ritual
Practicing a personal wellness ritual before you begin work each day can help you focus and maintain clarity before the hustle and bustle begin.
My executive coach instilled in me the importance of consciously taking the time to do a five-minute meditation before I sit down at my desk.
I also spend ten minutes writing in a gratitude journal to cultivate a positive mindset.
This approach allows me to avoid feeling rushed and concentrate on what matters. This helps me stay motivated as a business owner too.
By calming my mind before tackling tasks on Skype, I can prioritize and pace myself without feeling overwhelmed or stressed out by lunchtime.
Emily Onkey, Co-Founder and CMO, Aplós
17. Instilling Purpose in Team Work
One strategy that keeps me motivated as the CEO of a magazine, is instilling a strong sense of purpose in my team.
We remind ourselves on a regular basis of the impact our magazine has on the lives of our readers, the stories we share, and the knowledge we provide.
This common goal fuels our passion and determination, especially during difficult times.
Setting attainable goals and celebrating milestones along the way also helps us maintain our momentum through the daily grind.
We create a positive and inspiring environment by emphasizing our mission statement and celebrating our successes, which keeps everyone excited and committed to the magazine’s growth and success.
Erik Pham, CEO, Health Canal
18. Reminding Progress with a Vision Board
Using a vision board has helped me visualize my goals and dreams by showing me the steps that I need to take to help me get there.
But most importantly, using a vision board reminds me of all the accomplishments I have acquired along the way.
So, basically, it’s a constant reminder of the progress that I have made, even though sometimes the progress feels like a snail’s pace at times.
I like using a digital vision board so I can take it wherever I am going, so I can look at it.
Jimmy Clare, Motivational Speaker, Autism Advocate, Founder, CrazyFitnessGuy
Looking to enhance your fitness? Try these 250 fitness affirmations for better health and workouts.
19. Networking Outside Core Industry
One strategy that has consistently fueled my motivation as a small business owner is regular networking outside my core industry.
For instance, once, I attended a seminar on sustainable farming, seemingly unrelated to gaming.
However, there, I met an entrepreneur who introduced me to a unique card game inspired by crop cycles.
This encounter not only broadened my inventory but also reminded me that innovation often emerges from unexpected intersections.
Artem Minaev, Co-Founder, PlayToday.co
How Do I Motivate Myself in a Small Business?
Personally, one way I motivate myself in my business is by reminding myself of my “why” – the reason I started my business and decided to become my own boss in the first place.
This can reignite your passion and drive for your work.
Another way is to regularly reflect on your achievements and progress, no matter how small, to keep yourself motivated and on track.
Additionally, finding a support system such as my Facebook group and online communities, provides encouragement and motivation when I need it most.
What are the Top 5 Ways You Can Increase Motivation in Small Business?
Now let’s quickly talk about the ways you can increase motivation (yes, that’s possible!):
- Set Clear and Attainable Goals: One of the key ways to stay motivated as a small business owner is by setting clear and achievable goals. Having a specific target in mind can help you focus your efforts and track your progress. Start using these awesome goal planners.
- Celebrate Small Wins: While it’s important to have big goals, don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way. By acknowledging and celebrating your achievements, you can boost your motivation and keep pushing towards your bigger goals.
- Surround Yourself with Positive People: As the saying goes, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Surrounding yourself with positive, motivated individuals can have a significant impact on your motivation levels.
- Take Breaks and Prioritize Self-Care: Running a business can be all-consuming, but it’s important to take breaks and prioritize self-care. By taking care of yourself physically and mentally, you can avoid burnout and maintain your motivation.
- Continuously Learn and Grow: As a small business owner, there is always something new to learn. Continuously seeking knowledge and finding ways to improve can not only help your business thrive, but also keep you motivated and passionate about your work.
I also like automating my workflow to be more productive throughout the day.
That often means using important business tools such as:
- Jasper to create content 10x faster and save money
- Rankiq to write blog posts that actually rank on Google
- Quickbooks to simplify my accounting and finances
- TubeBuddy to make sure my videos are ranking on YouTube
- Outranking to beat the competition
and more! Check out the full list here.
How Can An Accountability Partner Help with Staying Motivated?
Accountability is an important aspect of staying motivated as a small business owner.
By having someone or something to hold you accountable for your actions and progress, you are more likely to stay on track and maintain your motivation for business growth.
This could be a business partner, mentor, or even an accountability group.
Additionally, setting specific deadlines and regularly reviewing your progress can also help you stay accountable and motivated.
Final Thoughts on Ways to Stay Motivated as a Small Business Owner
Being a small business owner comes with its own set of challenges and it can be easy to lose motivation at times.
However, by setting clear goals, maintaining a work-life balance, continually learning, networking with peers, celebrating wins, and prioritizing self-care, you can stay motivated and driven towards the success of your business.
These practices not only benefit me as a business owner but also contribute to the growth and sustainability of my business.
So, if you are a small business owner looking for ways to stay motivated, I highly recommend incorporating these strategies and new habits into your routine and daily schedule.
Remember, success is not just about achieving goals, but also enjoying the journey towards them.
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