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November, 2008

When you read the news these days whether on the internet, radio, TV, or the newspaper it is easy to get mired in the gritty details about our global economy on the brink of implosion. However, if you are a small business owner or entrepreneur you may not have to look at the news to understand this. You may only have to look as far as your recent month end close to understand that the global is quite personal. Many of you are experiencing challenges in your businesses. Many of the coaching conversations I am having these days are related to insecurities around business growth, job security, increased expectations at work. However, allowing gloom and doom mentality to hijack your mind will cause your motivation to plummet and could lead you directly to your demise. No one is sure of the outcome of our current economy. However, if you are willing to engage in some of the strategies below is possible to navigate these challenges successfully.

1. Make SMART commitments
SMART commitments are commitments that are specific, measurable, actionable, right-sized and are always moving you towards your goal. The particular key here is that your commitments need to be "right-sized." This means you need to be breaking them into realistic steps that are achievable. This allows you to avoid overwhelm, which is often a key culprit in loss of motivation.


2. Adopt a learning orientation to life
Life is a school. The goal is to graduate. You have lessons to learn that are unique to you and your life. Your teachers are your challenges. Therefore, rather than resist your challenges I encourage you to accept your challenges and ask, "What is this challenge here to teach me?" I have seen clients with the same business challenges learn distinctly different lessons. One sold his business, moved to Europe, and couldn't be happier. Another realized that it was time to recalibrate and expand services to her customers, in which she found great success.

3. Make friends with your fear.
You know that courage is not the absence of fear. It is the willingness to feel your fear and move forward, regardless. Therefore, make friends with your fear. I have literally had conversations with my fear that sound like this, "Hi, fear. I see you would like to hang out with me today. That's fine we can hang out. However, I am the one in control here." This attitude completely helps take the charge off of fear and will allow you to accept your fear and maintain motivation.

4. Connect with your personal truth
What made you decide to get into your business?  I encourage you to take some downtime and pull out your business plan. Particularly, look at the sections of your business plan dedicated to your values, purpose, mission and vision. If your business consultant advised you well, these elements of your plan are in direct alignment with your personal values, purpose, mission, and vision. If so, this is one of the most direct sources of your inspiration. If you are connected to your inspiration and deeply in love with what you do, small bumps in the road won't be enough to hold you back

5. Mind Your Mind
It is true that our economy is currently volatile.  We should have great compassion for others, and ourselves, and willingness to support those in dire need. However, it does not serve you to dwell in the negative. Simply defined The Law of Attraction states, "like attracts like, you get what you think about, and you get what you put your energy and focus on whether wanted or unwanted." Therefore, I encourage you to honor the truth of your reality in each moment. Also, place your attention on gratitude and clear positive intentions. For instance, if you are experiencing angst about a necessary business purchase, but do indeed have the cash available, support yourself by moving into gratitude. Make a statement of gratitude for actually having the money to invest and for what you need being available. In addition, repeat a clear, positive intention and affirmation; such as, "There is always more than enough money for me to maintain all areas of my life and business." Every time you take a breath and make that statement you remind yourself that in the very moment in which it is stated, it is indeed the truth. This will support you in sticking to the facts, which in the example given is that your needs are met and you have enough money in that moment, regardless of what was on the radio fifteen minutes ago about the economy. This will also support you in maintaining a positive perspective, and therefore your energy to keep moving forward.

6. Self-Nurturing
Many entrepreneurs work 24/7. However, I urge you to take some time to recharge your batteries. You may go as far as taking a vacation or as close as a walk around the block. Engage in whatever works best for you to get you centered and recharged. I suggest you make it an activity that is regularly scheduled. Choose activities that you enjoy and that address all areas including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. For instance, a physical activity would include some form of exercise. A mental activity might be reading uplifting literature. A spiritual activity may be meditating five minutes a day. An emotional activity might include shifting thoughts from negative to positive. However, I reiterate, choose what is personally best for you.

Sometimes when we are in the midst of an urgent challenge or experiencing a lack of motivation it seems like taking just five minutes out of the day to engage in one of these strategies is too much. This is understandable if you are experiencing low energy, lack of motivation, or fear. However, I fervently encourage you to do whatever it takes to slowly begin to practice just one of these. You may be pleasantly surprised as your energy begins to positively shift and you begin to feel inspired. Inspiration is the essence of motivation and the key ingredient in getting back on course to making your goals a reality.

Jason Mannino; Life Coach, Career Coach, Business Coach, and Author, primarily focusing on the LGBT community, empowers people to take courageous action that propels them into living an inspired, balanced, and authentic life. Jason brings a decade of experience in Corporate and Executive Recruiting to Career Coaching; which empowers you to reach your goals and gracefully transition through changes. He leads various seminars and in February, 2009 will be offering his first global seminar in the country of Malta. Jason's regular columns include Life Fitness for WEHONews.com and OutWorks for lgbtcareerlink.com. In addition he is a regular contributor to Frontiers News Magazine, and a contributing author in the new "Thank God I..." book series. To register for a seminar or schedule a free 30 minute coaching consultation send e-mail to info@jmannino.com or http://www.jmannino.com








 

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