Being in a business is hard. No matter if you are a brick and mortar or an online entrepreneur. I have personally found being online harder as the digital space is forever updating and growing. But hey, deciding to be a mompreneur was no walk in the park either. This is how I keep up with this digital whirlwind.
12 Tips to Staying Motivated as an Online Entrepreneur
1) Set realistic goals
The first step in staying motivated is setting realistic expectations for yourself and then achieving those goals (even if you shoot for the moon and land among the stars). If you place your goals too high, there is a good chance of becoming easily discouraged when you realize that you are not making as much money as you thought and give up.
2) Start small
The next step in staying motivated is to start small and build momentum. Don’t bite off more than you can chew by beginning with an ambitious goal that requires you to work 10+ hours each day just to bring in $100 per month. Instead, plan your business to start as a side business that gradually brings in more and more income as time goes on.
3) Celebrate your milestones
One thing that demotivates many people about having an online business is that they don’t have anyone else around them who understands what it’s like to be an online entrepreneur. It is essential to celebrate and recognize your milestones (however big or small they may be) to keep yourself motivated. This could include celebrating the fact that you made 100 dollars in commissions this month or receiving your first sale from a traffic source you just started.
Related Article: Celebrate your Victories with Jacqueline Williams-Hines
4) Be proactive
At times, being online can seem like an incredibly lonely place that demotivates many people simply because they don’t know what to do with themselves when they aren’t working on their business. One of the most essential tips I have for staying motivated is by being proactive throughout your day instead of passively browsing social media networks, watching TV shows going out drinking, etc. Just do something!
5) Watch motivational videos
The internet is full of unique motivational content which can be used to keep yourself motivated when times get tough. One great way to do this is by watching motivational YouTube videos, which I personally love doing when I need a quick pick me up.
6) Read motivating quotes from successful people
Another great way to keep yourself motivated when times get tough is by reading motivating quotes from famous people who had failed in their businesses before but kept going until they became successful. There are many inspirational speakers out there today who have collected all sorts of wise sayings from other people throughout history into short four or five-sentence quotes which you can read to keep yourself motivated throughout the day.
7) Enjoy your passion
If you are currently working on something that does not inspire you, then chances are better than good that it is challenging for you to stay motivated about working on it every day. This is why I personally recommend people find something that they love doing before starting an online business because it will be much easier to stay motivated about what you are doing if you enjoy the niche.
8) Take time off
There’s no doubt about it – working online 24/7 is very tiring, both physically and mentally. As such, I highly recommend taking time off from your work schedule so that you can re-energize and recharge. Whether this means taking a few days off to travel, spending your weekend’s camping and fishing, or simply going on vacation for a week each quarter – this time away from work can be a great opportunity to refresh yourself and keep yourself motivated the rest of the year.
Related Article: Fall into a Self-Care Staycation
9) Keep track of your progress
One extremely powerful way to stay motivated is by keeping track of all your small achievements throughout the day so that you can look back on them at the end of each month/year/etc. For example, I love looking back at how much money I made during my first month online as well as analyzing which traffic sources worked well and which did not.
10) Reward yourself
The next step in staying motivated after tracking your progress is to reward yourself for all the hard work that you have put in throughout the year. This could be as simple as letting yourself sleep in on Saturday morning or by enjoying a day off with your family each Sunday – whatever works best for you.
I do Friday movie night with my kiddos. It’s the best!
11) Have fun
Working online can be extremely fun if you are passionate about what you are doing and understand how to market it effectively. That being said, many entrepreneurs make the mistake of focusing too much time on their business, which consequently leads them to become demotivated because they aren’t having any fun working on it.
12) Read books about motivation
Of all the ways to stay motivated online, I highly recommend reading blogs, watching motivational videos, and listening to inspirational speeches. But if you want to take it a step further, I recommend reading some of the great books out there on motivation/goal setting/etc. These can be extremely powerful in helping you stay on track with your goals for years to come.
Related Article: 100 Women in Business Pursuing their Passion: Part One
Conclusion
I hope you become a truly successful online entrepreneur. The only way that is possible is to stay the path. Utilize these 12 tips to keep you on the path to ultimate success. I can’t wait to celebrate with you.
