Staying Motivated In Your Online Business

It can be lonely as an online service provider. This also means that it can be difficult to stay motivated in your online business.

You may naturally be self-motivated but not everyone is that fortunate. So, let me share how I stay motivated in my online business as a fifty-something (ahem) disabled woman.

Why Do You Need To Stay Motivated

As an online service provider to others, it is important to stay motivated for several reasons. Let me share a few of those.

To Be Motivated For Your Clients

If you want to help others you need to be able to bring energy and motivation. As I help others and encourage them I know that I must first plug into a source that motivates me. If I am energized to get up and do my work whether I ‘feel’ like it or not (I do not mean if I am having a physically challenging day due to the MS, not that my emotions are simply like: ‘ugh do I need to get up and do this right now?’ type day) then I am also able to help motivate my clients.

To Be Able To Have Your Own Business

I love working for myself, don’t you? If you want to continue to have to have a business you must be self-motivated. That is not always easy but it must be done. Nobody else is going to be ‘that’ person for you all of the time.

To Move Your Business Forward

I know I want and need to keep my business moving forward and upward. That will not happen if I give up and am unmotivated. It will only happen if I am taking actions to propel it forward. You need to be motivated to take that action daily to move your business forward.

To Keep Yourself Out Of The Pit Of Despair

You are not doing anyone any good by not doing anything. This is true, especially with yourself. The more you give up and lay down, the more you sink in and the harder it is to pull yourself up and out. It’s like a black hole that wants to swallow you whole.

You may have people in your life who you count on to pull you up and out of it but not everyone does and even those others cannot be there all the time every time. If you are a business owner you know it is hard work so please don’t give up!

Ways You Can Stay Motivated In Your Online Business

Here is a list of ten things (I probably could have listed many more) that help me stay motivated and in the right mindset for my business. They may not work for you but you need to decide what helps to pick up your mood and then motivate you.

My List Of Ways To Motivate You:

1. Prayer (meditation)

2. Scripture Reading (inspired writing)

3. Bible Study (or take a course)

4. Music

5. Dance

6. Go Out With A Friend

7. Reach Out to An Understanding Colleague or Friend

8. Speak With Your Coach or Counselor

9. Attend a Local Networking Event

10. Reading About Inspirational People

11. Reading Good and Inspiring Quotes

12. Remember Your Why

13. Count Your Blessings

14. Surrounding Yourself with Positive People

I want to explain why these items help me and maybe it will spark something for you to use when you need to get motivated as well.

Number One Motivation Help: Prayer

As a Christian, this should be the first thing I always do! Yet, I do not always do that first, I admit, unfortunately. I pray all day long it is conversations with God, however, we need to also have those dig-in-deep moments with Him as well. When we lack motivation that is a time to dig in with Him.

Perhaps you participate in prayer, but if you do not it truly helps. There have been studies on it. If you’re opposed to trying prayer you could read up on and try meditation.

Scripture Is My Number Two Way To Motivate

Another item that helps me is scripture (The Bible). I do a devotional in the morning (I honestly admit I wish I could say every single day but there are days I miss). I know, for me, it helps to set my mindset right as well as contributes to having a focus for the day when I do it first thing in the morning.

If you are opposed to this you could use inspired writings or use whatever your religion/denomination encourages you to use.

Motivation Through Bible Study

Again, for a Believer it is necessary to stay connected to the Lord. Many of us do this through several ways and one of those is bible study. I enjoy doing them and digging deeper into the word of God. I often use a written study by someone but I also like to write bible studies when I’m able and record my thoughts about the verses and book of scripture.

For you, this may not work, however, you can pick up a book that is inspirational or motivating for business. There are so many to choose from. I encourage you to try it.

Dance Around

Yes, this Southern Baptist Preacher’s Wife loves to dance around to praise music. I used to put it on loud in our home when the children were small and we would have a good ole’ dance party praising God.

Simply getting up and moving around helps but there is something that happens in our mood and mindset when we dance.

“Dancing can improve your mood while you learn, move, and perform. In fact, many people take dance classes because they put them in a good mood. Ease depression and anxiety.”

Motivation By Going Out With A Friend

Often getting out of the house and out of your head will help. I suggest calling a friend and going to grab lunch or dinner together. Having someone to talk to can make a huge difference in your motivation and mood.

Reach Out To A Colleague

A similar option is to reach out to a colleague for motivation. This is because they will understand your struggle. A colleague or other business owner knows what it is like to struggle in business or to be unmotivated. Having a listening ear from someone who knows how you feel can help you.

Speak With Your Coach (Counselor or Minister)

A very important process should be to contact and speak with your business coach when you feel a lack of motivation. Ask them to do a call, visit, or Zoom meeting to help you get over this motivational hump. Your business coach will understand and will often have ideas of how you can move forward through it and not only help you get through it but to also excel on the other side.

If you are depressed, unable to get out of bed due to how ‘feel’ or extremely emotional or even despondent please reach out to a counselor, pastor, minister, or mental health professional. Do not assume you can simply get yourself motivated again as sometimes we all need deeper, more professional help. Be willing to get that help, please.

[Please see the disclaimer* at the end of this article.]

Attend A Local Networking Event

As I said getting out of the house can often help in itself, however, when you are able you should also try to attend local networking events. This has a double effect on your motivation. It forces you to get out and makes you talk about your business with others. This can be great for your motivation and your business.

Attending a networking event can also spark new ideas and help breathe life back into you and your business.

Remember Your WHY

Lastly and perhaps most important related to your business (for me God comes first in all), is to remember your why. Why did you start your business? A why can change over the years so have you revisited it and really asked yourself again, why?

Taking a real look at your reason for your business and what you hope to accomplish in it and through it can be enough to make you get up and to motivate you. Keep it posted in front of you when you work to stay on top of being motivated.

Count Your Blessings

It may sound silly to some but stopping your mind’s spiraling to think of the blessings (or positive and good things) in your life can help. Sit down and write out a list of all of these things in your life. Keep it close by so you can regularly add to the list. Before you know it you’ll need another piece of paper.

I have shared so much more in my full article here. Please take a moment to read all the ways I combat low motivation for myself.

Until Next Time Keep Up Your Continued Success!

*Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional and only share these tips that have helped me personally. If you are more than unmotivated and are feeling emotional, depressed, unable to get out of bed, etc. please reach out to a mental health professional as it may be more complicated and may require other help.