By: David Crary
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” –Zig Ziglar
Staying motivated isn’t always easy in the business world. You’re working hard and time sometimes seems to be as slow as molasses in mid-winter. In the field service industry, with seasonal highs and lows, it can be especially difficult to deal with the difference in pace. Here we have compiled a few ways to keep motivations high.
Set new goals
Make sure there is an end in sight. If your employees are running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off, they probably don’t have any goals in mind. Reaching your personal and professional goals is a great way to stay motivated. Just by setting goals you are challenging yourself and thus giving yourself something to strive for. Since motivation is necessary to obtaining those goals, don’t overwhelm yourself with goals that are unattainable. Be reasonable and don’t overextend yourself or your staff, this will in turn backfire and you could lose motivation.
Celebrate success
Mistakes in business happen, and it’s easy to focus on the bad. Instead, focus and celebrate on what your employees do well. Giving and receiving praise is essential to a successful business. If you or your employees have been working hard for days and have received no positive feedback, it’s likely that you will lose all motivation. Humans are sensitive creatures, we need a reason for being, without it what is the point? So don’t be afraid to praise your employees for their hard work, even offer incentives sometimes to inspire friendly competition. During your busy season, give feedback often, both positive and negative.
Involve your employees
Employees are what keep your business a’truckin, so don’t neglect them when you’re feeling less than motivated. Having great employees work for you is great, but if you isolate them, they likely won’t stay encouraged for long. If you come up with new goals or ideas, let your employees in on them. Spit-balling ideas with colleagues will both give you more insight and create a sense of community within your business.
Get inspired
If you feel like you’ve hit a wall in your business, look to the best of the best to pick you back up. Many business owners look to mentors or peer groups to both help with their motivation and just to get advice on running their business. Having an open conversation with another business owner or someone in a similar position can really open your eyes to new possibilities and encourage your goals. Seeing what motivates other business owners will help you figure out your own personal motivations.
Take a break
Working hard is important, but so is taking a break once in a while. Recharging your batteries can really help your success in the long run. As an owner and as an employee it’s important not to run on fumes. Since optimism and productivity are directly linked to your well-being, make sure to tend to your health above all else; exercise, eat well and get plenty of rest. Take care of yourself and in turn you will be taking care of your business.
Now that you're motivated, why not turn that plain jane website into a selling machine? Download our free eBook, 6 Requirements for a Website That Sells, to get started today!
