Overcoming Discouragement in Business: The Entrepreneur's Resilience Guide

As a small business owner, it's inevitable to experience ups and downs. I have had weeks where I'm making consecutive progress, everything's organized, and I truly identify as a business owner. Other weeks I feel like a total fraud and start thinking about what alternative occupations I may have to look into if this whole thing falls apart. I lose my spark and give into the imposter-syndrome, but luckily it gets easier and easier to climb over that wall every time I come across it. Lets talk about some ways to get through the discouragment episodes.

Reflect on Your Why

Remember that passion that ignited your business idea in the first place? The fire that made you take that leap into entrepreneurship? Take a moment to reflect on your 'why.' Why did you start this journey? What impact did you want to make? Reconnecting with your initial motivation can reignite that spark and remind you of the bigger picture when the day-to-day grind gets overwhelming. Sit down and get your thoughts down on paper. Write down why you want to be a business owner, what you want to achieve with your business, and then a to-do list to get there. Orgnaize the list from smallest to biggest and when you're ready, get started. It may feel overwhelming to look at your list but remind yourself everyday that it takes time to achieve your goals. Stay focused and consistent. Slow and steady wins the race.

Celebrate Small Wins

Shift your focus from what isn't working to what you've accomplished. In the entrepreneurial world, it's easy to fixate on where we're lacking and forget the importance of small victories. Take a moment to celebrate those minor wins, whether it's landing a new client, positive customer feedback, or mastering a new skill. These small wins add up, and acknowledging them boosts your confidence and motivation. I celebrated when I got my officail LLC, when I opened my business bank account, and when I got approved for a business credit card. To other people, these may be small and obvious things to do as a business owner, but we have to remeber to stay excited about the journey. After I crossed those goals off of my list, it really sank in that I'm a business owner and that is so exciting to my inner child. Don't allow other peoples' responses validate or innvalidate your wins. Choose to savor every moment.

Embrace the Learning Curve

The early years of business ownership are like a crash course in resilience and adaptability. Instead of viewing challenges as setbacks, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Every "failure" is a chance to refine your strategy, enhance your skills, and come out better on the other side. A way I've had to chage my mindset is to look for solutions instead of problems. If you run into a road block, don't assume that there isnt a way to get around it. As a social media manager and graphic designer, I face many technical difficulties. I've watched so many youtube tutorials, read so many articles, and taken online courses because of this! I wouldn't have all the knowlege I have now if it wasn't for all the times I was faced with a challenge. Now I get asked to fix technical difficulties for clients and I'm actually able to deliver, which increases my value as a business!

Connect with Like-minded Entrepreneurs

You're not alone in this journey. Reach out to other entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges of running a business. Share experiences, seek advice, and lend support. Building a network of like-minded individuals creates a sense of community, reminding you that others have faced—and overcome—similar struggles. You can start your own community or you ca find one thats already made! There are plenty of platforms to find like-minded people such as Reddit, Facebook groups, Discord servers, etc. Join a group and start a conversation! You'll realise very quickly how many people out there are having similar experiences as you.

Prioritize Self-Care

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. It's easy to neglect self-care when you're focused on growing a business, but taking care of your mental and physical well-being is crucial. Make time for activities you love, connect with loved ones, and ensure you're recharged and ready to face each day. I've made the mistake of working non-stop for days, to the point where I pulled two all-nighters in a row. I had a spike of motivation and felt like if I wasn't working on my business then I was wasting time. Although this may sound like it could be productive, I crashed hard, left unmotivated, and did bare minimum work for the next few days after that. I wish I had written all my ideas down and scheduled time to work for the week instead of trying to get everything I could think of done in one continuous session. Now that I know what does and doesn't work, I've been able to tailor a work ethic into what's most productive for me.

Your Journey is Unique and Valuable

Remember, your entrepreneurial journey is uniquely yours, and the challenges you face are stepping stones to success. It's okay to feel discouraged at times, but it's crucial not to let those moments define your journey or stop you from continuing the path. Embrace learning new things, celebrate the wins, and keep the flame of passion burning! The entrepreneurial road is winding, but each curve brings new opportunities for growth, and every challenge is a chance to emerge stronger and more resilient. Here's to your continued success, one small win at a time.