5 Ways to Break a Business Funk by @MarleeWard

by Marlee Ward  | Featured Contributor

Do you ever have days when you feel down in the dumps over your business?

Days where you wonder, “am I really cut out to be an entrepreneur?”

Days where you think, “I should be so much further along in my business by now.”

If we are honest, we’ve all had days like those. And, if we are not careful those one-off days can turn into multiple days, or a very long week, of being in a business funk.

Funks are bad for Business

No one likes being in a “funk”. It feels bad emotionally and it’s very bad for your business. Your ability to consistently perform well in your business is essential to your long-term success. The more quickly you can identify and eradicate a funk from your mindset, the better.

So, when you find yourself suffering from a case of the business blues consider the following:

1. Think about what you’ve been thinking about.

If you’re feeling down and out over your business, you can typically trace your negative emotions to your thoughts. Take inventory of the things running through your mind and notice if you’re mulling a bad experience around in your head. Or, maybe you experienced rejection in some form, and you’ve subconsciously created a story that has made the rejection personal. Now, that story is wrecking havoc on your emotions. Once you can find the sources of these thoughts, you can choose to tell yourself a different and helpful story, instead of a destructive one.

You also want to become aware of behavior that can trigger a business funk. Avoid comparing yourself to your “competition.” You don’t know the whole story, so don’t make it up only to make yourself feel small. Avoid judging others who experience success you wish you had. This creates jealousy, and jealousy rots your bones. Learn to celebrate the success of others and you’ll see more success in your own life. Refuse to remain disappointed or frustrated. Instead, look disappointments as a set up for a comeback and frustration as a sign that you just need a better solution.

2. Work in a different location.

Sometimes you just need a change of pace. Work from home? Try your local coffee shop. Work at an office? Stay in your PJs and work from your couch for the day. Work at Starbucks? Check out a local co-working space and feed off the combined energy of others chasing their dream.

Your physical environment greatly impacts the way you work and how you feel about the work you do. If you’re struggling to be productive or get inspired try working somewhere you usually wouldn’t and see what that does for you.

3. Go help someone else.

Helping others creates healing. Why? Because when your heart is right, it is truly better to give than receive. If you find yourself throwing the pity party of the century, stop focusing on your own needs and look to see how you can meet someone else’s.

Where can you go give some of your business expertise to others? Figure it out and go do it. Not only will it boost your sense of self-worth and confidence, but you’ll start to understand the true meaning of the phrase “givers gain.”

4. Get some exercise.

Scientists have discovered that when you distance yourself from a particular thought, problem, or situation (so that is seems farther away) your creativity increases. This is because the “closer” you are in both physical and mental proximity to “the matter” the more difficult it is to think outside the box.

When you are in a business funk, exercising can help you “get out of your head” (where your funk lives) and into your body, which helps clear your mind. The next time you feel yourself slipping into a mental mosh pit, go outside for a brisk walk in the sunshine, or open up Pandora and do some dancing in your office.

Exercise is a simple way to increase your endorphins and put an end to “funky” thinking.

5. Remember your why.

Why do you do what you do? Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur? When you were first called to this incredible journey, what made you take the leap?

Sometimes we let the ups and downs of business take precedence over our purpose. You can’t afford to forget why you started. You can’t afford to forget why your work is important to others and to yourself.

When you’re faced with a business funk take time to ask yourself these questions. Look for ways to refresh your passion for your purpose. If you’re really committed to your calling, you’ll find yourself out of your business “funk” in no time.

Now, it’s your turn. What do you do when you find yourself in a business funk? What do you do to maintain the right mindset for success as an entrepreneur?

Let’s chat about it in the comments below!

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Marlee Ward empowers solo entrepreneurs make more money and serve more people by teaching them how to leverage high-level marketing principles, online tools, multiple income streams, and a success mindset, through personalized coaching programs, online training workshops, and live training seminars.

After practicing law for nearly five years, Marlee left her career as a lawyer to pursue her passion – seeing individuals succeed as entrepreneurs.

With over 10 years experience in marketing, public relations, and new media technologies, Marlee speaks to a variety of industry specific small business in the US.

She’s served as Business Editor of the popular woman’s blog BizChickBlog.com, co-authored Engagement from Scratch! How super-community builders create a loyal audience, and how you can do the same, and was voted “Top 40 under 40” by a Central Florida Magazine

To receive your FREE weekly marketing and mindset training, plus a free copy of the mp3 training audio “6 Ways to Increase Your Income”, visit http://marleeward.com.

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