Have you ever felt like quitting everything about your business?
Like just giving up on it all?
Maybe you’ve been working and working crazy long hours doing everything you can to make things flow the way you want. But your bank account isn’t showing the fruits of your labour.
Your family is wondering where you are and are asking for your time. You’ve stopped doing other things you love because you know that if you just keep pushing and striving, that one day everything will be roses.
But it’s not working.
And some days it’s just too much. Maybe you’ve even wondered if this entrepreneurial thing just isn’t for you.
I’m just like you. Some mornings I wake up and do not feel like working at all — if I have to send one more email I might scream.
Sometimes, it feels so hard and I just feel like saying to hell with it all and becoming a hermit (of course a hermit on a hot tropical beach somewhere exotic).
I know a lot of people look to my story as a source of inspiration and that is one of the things I love about doing what I do, but — and I fully admit this — I don’t always feel motivated to get out there; sometimes in my darkest moments, I’ve even considered throwing in the towel. Actually, quite a few times.
My guess is that you’ve been there too.
I am willing to bet that at some point in your business you have felt a sense of despair or a lack of motivation, especially if you don’t yet have an income stream that is enough for you to live on, or if you are just starting out and you haven’t seen much if any of a return for the work you’ve put in.
We’ve all been there.
Even the superstar entrepreneurs — those people with huge sales numbers and a massive number of staff who are also writing books and giving speeches — they’ve all had moments, or more likely many moments, when everything seemed dark and they just felt like quitting.
It happens to all of us. The struggle is actually all part of owning a business (or starting anything for that matter). So don’t panic.
However, while we’ve all been there, the choice to keep going or not is still your own.
You need to decide every time you feel this way whether to quit now or keep on keeping on. Only you can decide. And while I can’t tell you what you should do, there are some things that might help you make the decision for yourself.
- Take a break. Chances are you are exhausted and burned out from working super long hours. If this is the case, then your productivity, energy and creativity will be at an all-time low. You need a break.
Preferable a nice long break but even a full day unplugged from the office can do wonders on your perspective. Make the time even if you think you don’t have it. Get outside. Exercise. Breathe. Have a nap. Take a vacation. Have an adventure. Laugh. Play. LIVE!
Yes, you have a life outside of your business so take a break and enjoy it. When you come back, your head and heart will be much clearer, you’ll be recharged and you’ll know your next step.
- Remember your vision—your big why. Once you’ve had a bit of a break, think about all the reasons you started your business in the first place.
What made you take the initial leap into entrepreneurship? What were you passionate about? Helping and serving others? Changing the world? Bringing your cool new gadget to the marketplace? Whatever it was, your “big why” was there in the beginning. You had a vision.
Is it still there? Can you still see it? If so, it’s time to either get in touch with that vision again and fine tune it, or let it go.
- Ask for help. Sometimes you have your big vision but you’re still unclear.
At this point, I suggest asking a neutral third-party for some help. Not your family and closest friends — they’ll either support you no matter what or already think you’re crazy for starting a business. And probably not your accountant or lawyer — they often only look at the numbers which won’t help you right now.
No, I mean someone who has been in the same boat as you are right now and can give you true honest feedback, an experienced business person. Maybe it is time to close up shop, but my guess is that it isn’t. However, you won’t know unless you get out of your own head (and all the chatter that is nagging at you) and ask for help.
Many Chamber of Commerce or BNI groups have business mentorship programs you can take advantage of or try hiring a business coach (hint hint)? It’s our job to help you get crystal clear on your vision and create a plan of action to get you there, all the while supporting you along the way. You don’t have to do this alone. In fact, there is no such thing as a self-made success—everyone has help along the way.
Those are just three quick tips to help you gain some perspective when you feel like quitting your business. There are many others.
My final tip today is this…
Feeling like a failure? Ready to quit? Good. You can now join the club of experienced business owners whose failures, fears and doubts, in hindsight, turned out to be opportunities in disguise. Try looking at things from another perspective and allow the magic to happen.
Have you ever felt like quitting your business? If so, how did you keep going? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Heather
About the Author, Heather E. Wilson
Need help? Would you like to learn more ways to avoid burnout, add more fun, more success, and more joy into your life and business? Heather E. Wilson, is a certified transformational coach, author and international speaker who loves to share her passion for helping you take charge of your life and business so that you can have the success and fun you've always dreamed about.
Go to HeatherwilsonInternational.com to view more of her free training and to receive a copy of her FREE ebook: The Burnout Principle.
