Get Out Of The Rut And Back On the Track

Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions" of your business from day to day? Has the excitement gone out of your daily routine?

What happened? Remember way back when you began doing this? You were excited and enthusiastic about what you were going to do. What went wrong? Where did the excitement and enthusiasm go? More importantly, how do you get it back?

Of course, this may be a signal that it is time for you to make some changes or to "move on." On the other hand, maybe you just need to get back in touch with why you are doing this in the first place.

If you are in your own business, it may not be possible to move on, so you'd better learn ways to bring back the excitement. There is nothing more depressing than to see a small business owner (or employee) who has stopped enjoying their work. These are the people who sit in their stores or offices just waiting for the day when they can retire. They feel "stuck," unable to get out. They have lost their zest for living.

Are you one of these people who are just going through the motions? This is surely a "death rattle." Your life is too important to let it slip by, living a life, as Throeau said, of "quiet desperation."

If you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes? Click here

How can you put back the zest? For starters, go back to your original business plan or personal journal and re-read the reasons you embarked on this business or career in the first place. What were your goals? You must have been excited back then.

Are these reasons still valid? Do they still ring true for you today? If they do, get back in touch with the "feelings" you had before. Sit quietly and mentally "go back" to that time. Feel the feelings you had then. Get the juice going again. Relive the experiences that led you to this place. Rekindle the flames you once had.

If you have drifted from your original purpose, perhaps you need to re-think why you are doing this now. In the case of your own business, maybe you need to change or modify your original direction. This could be as simple as offering a new product or service, something that gives you passion. Perhaps you could open new markets or venture into exporting to get your juices going again. Do something that puts the joy back in your day. Paint your store! Change your tie! Perhaps all you need to do is delegate some of the tasks you dislike and concentrate on doing what you love.

Complete this simple exercise. On a sheet of paper, answer the following two questions:

1. What I really enjoy about my work/business is that I... (This could be that you have the opportunity to travel to interesting places or meet people or help others, whatever you enjoy most.)

2. The real benefit to my customer from my work is...

I know a building contractor whose attitude toward his work changed when he changed his perception from that of simply a contractor to realizing the real benefit of what he did was he helped people turn their dreams into reality. This had a major impact on his self-esteem.

Sometimes, I run across a store that still has one of the old signs that read: "Through our doors pass some of the finest people in the world. Our customers." Maybe it's corny but I can't help but feel special in a place like that.

If you are going to a job today just because you went there yesterday, you are in a danger zone. You deserve to be enthusiastic, excited and even ecstatic about your livelihood. Sometimes you have to re-create that feeling.

Remember the words of the late Norman Vincent Peale who said that what happens to us is not nearly as important as how we interpret what happens.

Live with passion!

© 2004 Jim Donovan - PO Box 1147, Buckingham, PA 18912 - (215) 794-3826

Jim Donovan is the author of "Handbook to a Happier Life, a motivational speaker and coach. For a no cost bonus product & more, visit http://www.JimDonovan.com

If you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes? Click here ==> http://www.jimdonovan.com/ebookoffer.html

---

Franchisee; Vacation Managing

Do you own a franchised business? Over 400,000 franchised businesses... Read More

Looking into the Future for Profits

How to identify future solutions and opportunities?Your power page, if... Read More

Financial Strategies for a Mobile Car Wash Business Plan

Writing a business plan for a mobile car wash is... Read More

Administration Of Your Small Business

You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More

Franchises Offer Shortcuts, But Not Control

Q: I will be retiring this year at age 60... Read More

Getting City Contracts; Local Government Contracting

All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More

3 Ways To Make Certain Your Business Fails

Most small businesses incorporated in 2005 will fail by the... Read More

How to Wash Mobile Homes as a Business

Washing manufactured homes, mobile homes, can be a lucrative and... Read More

Grab Your Consumers Attention in a Cluttered World of Marketing Communications

A cluttered world of marketing communications diminishes the ordinary. The... Read More

Todays Chef, Tomorrows Restaurateur -- Startup Tips by Restaurant Consultants Inc

Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More

Choosing A Business Thats Right For You

Q: I really want to start my own business, but... Read More

Local Government Relations for Small Business

Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More

How to Give Informative Talks

Why should you do informative talks to smaller groups?Informative talks... Read More

Franchise Company Operations Manual Sample Outline

Many companies wish to expand and a few wish to... Read More

Tell Me a Story: A Simple But Powerful Tool to Build Your Business

Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More

Pressure Washing Graders and Tractor Motors

When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More

Choose Your Own Guru

What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More

Going Public by Way of Regulation D (504) Offering

Under the Securities Act of 1933, any offer to sell... Read More

How To Choose A Franchise

You'd like to go into business for yourself, and believe... Read More

Where Can People Find Information About Starting A Business?

Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More

Change May Be Your Ace in the Hole

Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More

Fire the CEO

If you are the boss and you think your job... Read More

Leverage The Power of Publicity For Your Small Business

Your business is only as good as the number of... Read More

Creating Lists to Learn About Yourself, Your Business and Your Customers

I love lists. I make them for everything. And I'm... Read More

How to Get Started As A Government Contractor

Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More

Market Makers Play a Significant Role in Reverse Mergers

One overlooked individual in the process of taking a company... Read More

Starting a Virtual Assistant Business

If you're organized, smart, capable and willing to work with... Read More

Truck Wash Business Case Study

Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More

Why Small Business Must Turn to PR

If small business had no important outside audiences, it wouldn't... Read More

How to Start a Paper Shredding Business

Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More

Maintaining Your Carpet Extractor in Your Auto Detail Shop

Auto Detailing: Maintaining A Commercial Carpet ExtractorYou should drain your... Read More

Buying a Business

Start thinking about buying an established business if you want... Read More

Home Based Franchise; What About Future Expansion?

As a franchisor I am always asked by new and... Read More