Kelly Livesay

Many small business owners are feeling emotionally kicked around after the last two years, worried about the economy, their own customer base and pending health care changes. Doubt can start to creep in and your enthusiasm of operating your own business can wane. These concerns and emotions are normal, but you can prevent being overwhelmed and defeated by them through some daily activities and by reconnecting with why you began your business.

As a business owner, you can get wrapped up in your daily activity and find that you have been running on "high" for hours on end. Each day needs a breather of some kind, preferably outside or away from the business. If you can do something physical for 10-15 minutes, your stress will lower. At the minimum, shut your door, turn off the phone and do some deep breathing exercises for a few minutes. Calm will soon return. I know. I've practiced this.

Keep a list of motivators that you can pull out and review. Perhaps an unhappy photo of you in the corporate world, working for someone else would do it! Barring that, try a list of reasons you were originally excited about the business, a photo of your kids that you want to leave a legacy to, or a great business book about a successful business owner. Also start a file, online and off, of customer "thank you's" and praise. Every business gets these (if you are truly not, go here) and they can be powerful motivators.

Remind yourself that you are in business, ultimately, to serve. Ask yourself how you do this? Do you own a furniture store? You help provide a warm, comforting environment after a long hard day. A plumber? You keep things moving smoothly. An accountant? You keep people from panicking on tax day and help save them their hard earned money. Every business serves a purpose, even if it is just to entertain. How do you serve?

It is normal to have peaks and valleys in your motivation. Learn to manage these with a set of tools prepared in advance, including an escape plan, and you will overcome these quickly and return to happily serving customers in no time!