Inspiration’s Role in Staying Motivated | Aug 15th 2007
Motivation plays a critical role in keeping my business running. It’s what helps me stay focused and avoid temptation. It gets me out of bed at a decent hour and prevents me from giving in to the temptation to work in my pajamas five days a week.
Inspiration is another story. Without inspiration, my business can’t grow and change. I’ve struggled with both inspiration and motivation for the entire summer and I’ve finally realized that it’s the former that’s the reason I’m having trouble with the latter.
It can be difficult to find inspiration when you work on your own. To some extent isolation has become typical of the summer months, when people are on vacation and work slows down. Add to this that the kids are home and my focus is suddenly more on family than on work, and it’s understandable that staying motivated is more difficult.
Since I don’t have the luxury of daily client and colleague interaction to stay focused (and inspired), I’m learning to look in new and unexpected places for much-needed doses of inspiration. Here are a few things that have helped me over the last couple of months.
I’ve relocated my office to the library. It’s very easy for me to get all the information I need from newsletters, blogs and web sites, but sitting in front of my computer during a bright summer day and listening to my kids play one floor below me is the perfect way to destroy my motivation.
Working at the local library which has free wireless and affords a gorgeous view of the Hudson River has been a great way to get inspired. There’s something about being surrounded by books, magazines and rows of expectant computer screens that puts a spring in my step.
Lunch dates, play dates and getting together with friends has helped fill my need for social interaction. When work was just a part-time endeavor and taking care of my daughter was the focus of my life, I adjusted to the isolation of being home by setting up play dates, inviting friends over for dinner and going out for drinks or coffee whenever I could. I completely stopped doing these things when my business turned into a full-time gig. This summer I’m trying to turn that trend around because I’m learning that talking to my friends about everything from work to potty training has a positive effect on me and thus, my business.
New business development and cruising the job boards is perhaps, not unsurprisingly, very inspiring. I find that looking around to see who is hiring and what positions are in demand gives me great business ideas. Making new connections, keeping my resume up to date, and pursuing new business leads is always fun and exciting. Plus, I admit, I love the chase!