EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:

From Slump To Business Success: How To Reignite Your Motivation & Find Your Mojo!

Welcome back to "The Scale and Skyrocket Your Business" podcast. I'm your host, Lor Bradley, and today we're going to talk about a topic that we can all relate to: "From Slump to Success: How to Reignite Your Motivation and Find Your Mojo."

In today's episode, I’m diving into a topic that every entrepreneur can relate to: losing your mojo. We've all been there, feeling uninspired and unmotivated, struggling to find our footing and wondering if we're on the right path. But fear not, because in this episode, I’m going to show you how to recognise when you're in a slump and show you how to get your motivation back on track. So, whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, this episode is for you. Stay tuned, and let's reignite your motivation and find your mojo in business!

Running a business can be a roller-coaster ride, and it's normal to lose our motivation from time to time. I've been there myself, and I know how challenging it can be. But the good news is that you can get your mojo back! In this episode, we'll discuss why we fall into a slump, how to recognize when we're in one, and what practical steps we can take to reignite our motivation.

Why Do We Fall Into Slumps?

First, let's explore why we fall into a slump. There are many reasons why this can happen, but some common scenarios include:

• Burnout: We work too hard and neglect our physical and mental health.
• Lack of Direction: We feel lost, or unsure of what to do next in our business. We might have an outdated strategy, or worst-case scenario, no strategic direction set at all!
• Self-Doubt: We don't believe in ourselves or our abilities. When the mind monkeys start to creep in, it can really set us back in our forward progress.
• Negative Feedback: When you receive criticism or negative feedback or even perhaps a less than rosy testimonial, it can feel really demotivating.
• Feeling Lonely & Isolated: In business, it's lonely at the top and without the right people around us, we quickly feel lonely and unsupported, which can make it difficult to stay motivated.

How to Spot When You're in a Slump

The first step in getting out of a slump is recognising when you're in one. I know I personally find it hard to spot one. It seems to be the case that I’ll carry on as usual for a few weeks or months and then when I look back, I realise I’m not feeling as focused or as energised as I usually am. It's not like a switch flipping, it can happen very gradually and then, before you know it – you’re in a rut or feeling demotivated.

So here are some signs that you may be in a slump:

• Feeling a Lack of Enthusiasm: You're not excited about your work, and you're not putting in as much effort as you used to. You might start to pull the covers over your head in the mornings rather than springing out of bed and into work mode.

• Procrastinating: Are you putting off tasks that you know you need to do?

• A Lack of Focus: You're easily distracted by shiny things, or by other people and have trouble staying on task. Or perhaps you’re dropping your priorities in order to focus on the more exciting work on your ‘To Do’ list.
• Negative Self-Talk: If you're being overly hard on yourself and focusing on your weaknesses rather than your strengths, then it can be a sign that you’re falling into a slump.

How to Get Out of a Slump

Alright, so, let's talk about how to get out of a slump and reignite your motivation. Here are some practical steps you can take that I’ve personally found super useful:

Reconnect with your vision and aspirations for the future:

Being in business isn’t easy and you started your business for a reason. Perhaps that reason was to take more time out to travel, to spend more time with the family or to get involved in the causes that matter to you. I highly recommend you start here because it’s usually the case that we’ve lost sight of our vision and need to go back to what it was that fired us up in the first place.

Take a Break:

Sometimes, all you need is a break to recharge your batteries. Take some time off to do something you enjoy or spend time with loved ones.

I like to go out for a walk first thing in the morning as it helps me set my mindset and focus for the day ahead.

Get Moving:

Physical activity can boost your mood and energy levels. Take a walk, go for a run, or do some yoga. If you’re not into fitness, then just find other ways to keep moving.

Network and Connect with Others:

Reach out to friends or your peer network for support and encouragement. If staying motivated in business is generally a struggle for you, then consider joining a mastermind group or attending networking events to connect with like-minded individuals.

Or you might find that working closely with an expert like myself will be the kick up the butt you need to keep you focused and moving forward!

Set Goals:

Setting clear, achievable goals can give you direction and a sense of purpose. Break your goals down into small, manageable steps to make them less overwhelming.

Celebrate Wins:

This one is super important. Make sure you celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Celebrating wins can really boost your confidence and motivate you to keep going.

Commit to Learning Something New:

Learning something new can give you a fresh perspective and reignite your passion for your business. Attend a workshop or take an online course.

Avoid Comparison:

Comparing yourself to others can be horrendously demotivating. I’m not going to focus on this one in too much detail, but stay in your lane, focus on your own strengths, your own progress and your own growth, and don't worry about what others are doing!

Ask For Help:

This is probably the hardest thing to do for many of you, but it’s important to not be afraid of asking for help when you need it. Reach out to your business mentor, or your leadership team, who can provide you with a sounding board and hands-on support.

“…the secret is to identify it, deal with it and then, if it’s a regular occurrence, factor it into your business, your workload, and your lifestyle.”

Avoid Doing This... 

Ok, let’s talk about what to avoid doing when you’re stuck in that slump in your business.

• Avoid Neglecting Your Self-Care: Don't neglect your physical and mental health. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking care of yourself. Get yourself into a routine and stick to it.
• Avoid Overworking: Don't try to power through your slump by working harder and longer hours. This will only lead to burnout and make it more challenging to get your mojo back.
• Avoid Isolating Yourself: Don't isolate yourself from others. Reach out for that support and connection that I mentioned earlier.
• Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself: Don't beat yourself up for being in a slump. It's a normal part of the entrepreneurial journey, and everyone goes through it at some point.

I usually have one or two slumps every year, but you know what, the secret is to identify it, deal with it and then if it’s a regular occurrence, then factor it into your business, your workload, and your lifestyle. My motivational slump is every Monday and in January, so I plan for my business to keep my motivated and engaged during these times.

Take Aways

So, remember...

✔ Falling into a slump is normal, and it doesn't mean you're a failure.

✔ The key is to recognise when you're in a slump and take action to get your motivation back on track.

✔ By taking care of yourself, setting goals, celebrating your wins, and reaching out for support, you can reignite your motivation and find your mojo in business.

That's all for today's episode of "The Scale and Skyrocket Your Business" podcast. I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me through my website. And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more tips and strategies to help you scale your business and find freedom - so that you own your business, and not the other way around.

See you next time!