As a child, when I had set my mind on getting a certain toy, I’d be obsessed and thinking about it days ahead.
The hours of the day seemed to stand still as I waited for my lessons to be over so that I could rush back home, have my lunch, and go to the toy store to get my desired item as my parents had promised me.
From then on for the first few weeks of acquiring my most-loved item, I’d make sure it was placed at the centre of my toy cabinet. Sometimes, I’d sleep with it, take it with me to school to brag about it, and even travel with it. But, more often than not and as is the case with many children, the infatuation eventually withered. Soon enough I’d be setting my eyes on something new.
Many entrepreneurs find themselves in similar situations when managing their businesses. Their excitement levels are sky high in the early stages, and they feel unstoppable. But great results and success, as many entrepreneurs know, doesn’t come easy. If it did, then everyone else would have achieved it, right? No. Success is the labour of hard work, dedication and, most importantly, the result of persistent behaviour.
I kid you not, I found myself often asking: “Why am I even bothering with all the entrepreneurship hassle when a 9 to 5 job would be less of a headache?”
So how do you keep yourself motivated, when results may be slow to show? Simple. By following certain behavioural routines that help you stay motivated, persistent and focused. I found that adopting all or a few of the below worked wonders. So here you have it:
Don’t be motivated by money or material things
The goal is to eventually live comfortably while doing the thing you are passionate about the most. But don’t let that be your main target. Keep in mind that the money, the cars, the travels and nice holidays will come - but they will only come when you are truly passionate, head-over-heels in love with your business and persistent.
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Never say enough
Even after you reach your target, it’s not the end for you. You’re always thinking of the next step, always thinking of your next target. That doesn’t mean you do not appreciate where you have reached so far and all the hard work you have put in but it means that you are continuously growing, improving the world and providing people with the best service and product. Having that mindset and embedding it in your company’s culture will encourage you to make learning a continuous process and also for your team to strive and be the best that they can be. As you do that though, do not neglect personal care and the importance of stopping to celebrate milestones, recharging and embarking on your next journey.
Be true to yourself and your business
Different country statistics show how many people are not satisfied with their day jobs. When you started your business, you did it because you wanted to do something true, something that you would enjoy, something that would not feel like work. As your business evolves, do not neglect your values and everything your business stands for. Thus, it’s important to have self-respect, to stand for your values and persist in incorporating those values into your corporate culture.
Never compete with anyone else
The minute you start competing you will be obsessed with that and thinking of ways to beat your competitors. But the truth is that even if you have competitors, even if there are 20 people in the same field, you are still unique. No one has you as a manager. No one has your style and no one has your goals. A lot of customers prefer to work with certain companies over along periods of time even when other, better companies emerge, because of the quality of service they receive. This is what you should focus on. Focus on how can you provide your customers with the best. Keep focusing on that and you will attract, and retain your customers.
Keep updating your goals
Last but not least, break down your ultimate vision or goal to annual, quarterly, monthly and weekly targets. That way you will not overwhelm yourself with the pressure and will also always have something to work towards.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer who manages her branding and marketing consultancy in Abu Dhabi
