22 Entrepreneurs Share Their Tips and Tricks for Staying Motivated

Ashok - CBNation Team

5 months ago

When the going gets rough in business, you’ll need the motivation to keep moving. Motivating yourself can be hard but practicing consistent habits such as reminding yourself of why you started can be a major boost. A network of friends and partners can also serve as a great assurance and reminder that you’re not walking alone.

Here are the various ways entrepreneurs and business owners stay motivated in business.

#1- Maintaining a healthy routine

In my experience, one of the most effective ways to stay motivated is by maintaining a healthy routine. I usually plan for the weeks and kick off my mornings by doing the same thing. I also make it a point to disconnect from work during weekends to spend my time with my family. This routine prepares my mind for the day ahead, which in turn prepares my body and well-being. By sticking to this routine, I've found that I am better equipped to handle the challenges that come with entrepreneurship while staying motivated and productive throughout the day.

Thanks to Andre Oentoro, Breadnbeyond!

#2- Following a combination of strategies

One key strategy that keeps me driven is setting clear, achievable goals. Building a solid support network has also been instrumental; surrounding myself with passionate and talented individuals who share our company's vision fuels my motivation. Lastly, I find inspiration in learning from successes and setbacks, as they provide valuable lessons and growth opportunities. These combined strategies help me maintain the motivation to navigate the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.

Thanks to Cody Jensen, Searchbloom!

#3- Nurturing a robust support network

Firstly, setting precise, attainable goals is paramount. These goals serve as our guiding light, providing a clear purpose. Secondly, building and nurturing a robust support network is indispensable. Surrounding yourself with a team that shares your vision, mentors who offer guidance, and fellow entrepreneurs who can provide fresh perspectives during tough times is invaluable. Moreover, I stay motivated by directly engaging with our customers. Their feedback, stories of success, and testimonials remind me of the positive impact our clothing has on people's lives.

Thanks to Jordan Adair, ShirtMax!

#4- Listening to success stories

To keep my motivation high, I redirect my attention from the immediate concerns that may be weighing on me and instead immerse myself in the examples of triumph and success of entrepreneurs who've tread a path similar to mine. These success stories can come from many sources: biographies, motivational podcasts, movies based on true stories, and even TED Talks. Hearing about other extraordinary journeys also allows me to better relate to fellow entrepreneurs and consistently nurture my professional network.

Thanks to Gabriele Asaro, Clash.gg!

#5- Checking the growth metrics

My business involves looking at other businesses' metrics and working out how to bring them traffic from organic Google searches that will ultimately convert. I'm not embarrassed to say that I check the figures daily – it is such a motivator to me to see my clients growth increasing on the daily and know how excited they must be to be seeing tangible results. It's like an exercise regimen – I'm always looking at the work we've done, and what we could do to make our websites and businesses stronger. There is nothing more motivating than that!!

Thanks to Zara Avila, Online Strategy Co!

#6- Following a blend of passion and perspective

Staying motivated as an entrepreneur often requires a blend of passion and perspective. For me, motivation comes from setting clear, attainable goals and reflecting on the impact our work has on our clients and community. It’s about celebrating small victories while keeping our eyes on the larger vision. Additionally, surrounding myself with a team that shares this vision and passion is crucial. Lastly, I make it a priority to continuously learn and adapt – be it from success, failures, or industry trends.

Thanks to Daniyal Sanaullah, SocialSharings!

#7- Having a learning mindset

Motivation can be fickle at times, and it isn’t always easy to maintain. One tried and tested technique that I use if my motivation is flagging, is to focus on learning. This might be connected to the task at hand, or it might mean taking a step away and learning something completely new and different. I know that my mind thrives when it is being challenged and engaged, and that education is one of the best ways to achieve this. It also works if I’m in a situation where I’m struggling to focus.

Thanks to Marty Zankich, Chamberlin Real Estate School!

#8- Believing in positivity

I stay motivated by always remembering my “why”, the reason that I started this journey. I believe in the importance of freedom of speech, and the value of chronic illness warriors making their voices heard and helping others feel less alone. Especially on days when my illnesses are flaring, it can be hard to get up and do things. But I believe in the power of positivity and push myself every day to see things in a positive light and make the best of each moment. By showing that I am stronger than my illnesses, I can inspire others and help them believe in themselves.

Thanks to Brandon Green, Let's Go Brandon Green!

#9- Seeing clients' achievements

Reflecting on past successes and envisioning the potential of the future keeps me driven and motivated constantly. Working closely with my clients allows me to witness their dreams turning into reality, which serves as a constant source of motivation. Seeing their hard work pay off and witnessing their achievements inspires me to no end. It's incredibly rewarding to contribute to the success of business owners daily, not only advising them but educating and empowering them for future success every step of the way this collective momentum fuels my motivation every day.

Thanks to Meredith Bell, Glass Elevator Consulting!

#10- Following various strategies

Setting clear, attainable goals is the best way to stay focused and motivated. Breaking big plans into smaller, achievable tasks gives you a sense of achievement and keeps you motivated. Working together brings creativity and helps me overcome the challenges of running a business. On top of that, staying on top of industry trends and cutting-edge technologies keeps me energized and motivated. In conclusion, strategic goal-setting, team-building, curiosity about industry trends, and a balanced lifestyle are the best ways to stay motivated.

Thanks to Max Maybury, Ai-Product Reviews!

#11- Contributing to the work

I stay motivated by thinking about how many people are counting on me. Our truck driving school has eleven campuses across multiple states and has trained tens of thousands of students. Since my role involves marketing and communications, our instructors are counting on me to help them find students, and people who want to attend CDL training are counting on me to help them find us, whether or not they know it! Contributing to the work of our school in preparing students for careers in trucking keeps me motivated daily.

Thanks to Lauren Gast, Truck Driver Institute!

#12- Following three important drivers

Knowing what it is that truly drives you is key to staying motivated. I know that when it comes to work, there are three drivers that are key to me: 1. Making a difference; 2. Freedom and independence 3. Community. I need to work with people and organizations who let me in and let me make a difference to them – that keeps me going. I also need to do it in a way that fits in with everything else in my life and in a way that resonates with my values – that's what freedom and independence mean to me.

Thanks to Sonia Gavira

#13- Pursuing innovation

At ShipSage, our mission to revolutionize e-commerce fulfillment through smart warehousing and tailored strategies provides a powerful drive. Seeing the tangible impact of our work on our client's success is incredibly rewarding and fuels my passion. Additionally, the relentless pursuit of innovation, the challenges we overcome, and the growth we experience both as a company and as individuals, keep the excitement and motivation high.

Thanks to Ben Pu, ShipSage!

#14- Making a difference in the lives of patients

Maintaining motivation is intertwined with our objective as the Chief Executive Officer of Diabetic Insurance Solutions. The knowledge that we are making a true difference in the lives of those dealing with diabetes fuels my passion every day. Our consumers' stories of tenacity and triumph serve as a daily reminder of why we do what we do. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial mentality, the drive to innovate and refine, serves as a source of inspiration. It's more than just a job; it's a personal journey to raise the level of living for those under our care.

Thanks to Hassan Sanders, Diabetic Insurance Solutions!

#15- Focusing on the positives

The number one way I stay motivated as the director of a start-up digital agency is to focus on the positives. When I first started my company, I was sending hundreds of cold emails to various businesses and received rejections or, more commonly, no response at all. Once I got my first response from a local boxing club on how I could help them out, the fire was well and truly lit. By focusing on that positive I have been able to grow my business into what it is today.

Thanks to Joe Smith, SiteJacket!

#16- Providing for family

My motivation comes from a few different places. The most important being my “why.” I am driven by a desire to give back to my family and provide a comfortable life for my future children. That is usually enough to get me out of bed on those days when it seems impossible. When I need a little extra, I have a few go-to shows or movies I put on in the background that get me in a business mood. My top two are Mad Men and the movie Jobs (the Ashton Kutcher one).

Thanks to Nick Brose, Titan Media Collective!

#17- Passion for justice

One way that I stay motivated is by remembering my purpose, as that’s what inspired me to start my business in the first place. In my case, this was a passion for justice, and the desire to be an advocate for those in need. If ever I feel my enthusiasm waning, I remind myself of this. I also make sure that any work I do contributes to this, in one way or another. Sometimes, the link isn’t as obvious, but it is always there. If it isn’t, then I need to reevaluate.

Thanks to Martin Gasparian, Maison Law!

#18- Taking regular breaks

When I first started out, I didn’t recognize this, and I felt like I had to be on the go 24/7. I kept pushing myself harder, but ironically, my motivation levels got lower and lower. I was on the brink of burnout. I realized that if I wanted to work in a sustainable way, then I needed to take a proper break now and then, even when it felt counterintuitive. Since building regular breaks into my routine, I have found that my motivation has increased and that it is much easier to maintain.

Thanks to Mathias Ahlgren, Website Rating!

#19- Focusing on goals

I’m a goal-oriented person, and I find that having a target to aim for really helps me to sustain my motivation. Every time I achieve a goal, I get a boost of energy and enthusiasm, and this supports motivation. I have long-term objectives that I’m working towards, but I also like to break these down into smaller, manageable chunks. If my goals remained distant, I think I would get disheartened. I like being able to tick things off my to-do list on a regular basis. So, every day I set myself a series of tasks to do, and I make sure I keep track of this.

Thanks to Saya Nagori, WanderDC!

#20- Supporting each other

As a husband and wife catering team, we stay motivated by supporting each other. When we are super busy, if one of us starts feeling overwhelmed, the other will always be there with a reminder of why we started this business. We love to use our culinary skills to provide spectacular food experiences for our clients. Remembering why we are doing this always helps us to stay motivated and keep enjoying what we do.

Thanks to, Brandon Blackwell, Elysian Events Catering!

#21- Affirming success

For me, this is why affirmations have become important as part of my daily routine at work. it says simply to listen down three things that have been successful during that day, which can be as small or as big as you want them to be, but they have to be written and chosen daily. This helps motivation in two ways – firstly, it means that regardless of what’s happened during that day or any bad outcomes, you are still taking time to sit down and register what you did achieve in a positive light and ending your day on a good note, gearing you up for the following day.

Thanks to Brandon Fowler, Machinist Guides!

#22- Believing in one's vision

As a business owner, staying motivated amidst the struggles involves a constant reminder of my initial passion and purpose. When faced with obstacles, I focus on the bigger picture and the positive impact I aim to make. Celebrating small victories, learning from failures, and adapting strategies keep me resilient. Surrounding myself with a supportive network, seeking inspiration from successful entrepreneurs, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial. Ultimately, the unwavering belief in my vision propels me forward, fuelling the determination to overcome challenges and drive continuous business growth.

Thanks to Adriana Watson, Villanova Contour!