Don’t you wish that there was a constant well of incredible one-of-a-kind money making ideas in your head at all times? Imagine if they were lined up and ready to take your business to the next level! I’ll be honest – I have no magic answer to share, and of course you can find me in that same boat with you. As a small business owner, you’re juggling so many different aspects of running a company that sometimes one of the hardest things can be finding inspiration.
The good news is that there are secrets to moving past that restlessness and finding the things that inspire you to create the best version of your business.
A change of scenery can do wonders.
When the world seems to be staring blankly back at you, realize it may just be your small slice of the world that’s the problem. (At that moment, at least.) If you are pulling at strings wishing and hoping for that next big idea or excitement for your brand, and it’s just not coming, try changing up your surroundings. Get out of the house, go someplace new, and for God’s sake step away from the computer! Give yourself permission to travel, whether it’s getting on a plane for a vacation, driving to the next town over, or just checking out a new art gallery where you live, it’s important to switch things up. How can you expect to be inspired if all you are surrounded by are the exact same things as the day before?
School is in session – or at least it should be.
Now, I’m no Albert Einstein, but I have to agree when he said, “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” Whether you are an established business owner or a recent entrepreneur, it is always a good idea to start learning something new. There are so many different opportunities to learn new skills for your business, both locally and online. When you are feeling uninspired, take the initiative to sign up for a class at your small business center or sign up for a free webinar online for a topic you’ve wanted to learn more about. The wheels in your head start turning, and it’s incredible to see how quickly motivation and inspiration fill you up.
Sometimes the competition knows what’s up.
Every so often, the grass is greener on the other side for a reason. Knowing who your competition is and seeking out the brands that inspire you is actually a great way to get inspiration for yourself. Industries across the world use market research as a way to gain knowledge of what competitors and their customers are doing. Your small business is missing out if you aren’t doing the exact same thing. Take some time to shop the market by visiting other stores or surfing the web and make a list of things that jump out at you that can be reimagined or reinvented into something that may be able to work for your own brand. Always remember, however, that there is a line between being inspired and copying something – and no, imitation is not the most sincere form of flattery in business.
What if the third time really is a charm?
Just because you’ve done it before doesn’t mean you can’t do it better. So often we try to think outside the box when sometimes sorting through the exact box you’ve been in before can lead to incredible things in your business! Maybe something didn’t get the results you had hoped for, but now you know exactly what to change to improve it? Perhaps there was a project at one point you decided not to move forward with, but now is the perfect time to dive in? Take the time to look through old notes and business plans and revenue from different seasons and see what you come across with fresh eyes. Just because you did it already or discarded it before, does not mean you don’t have the power right now to be inspired by it.
Embrace the moments in your business where you feel restless and uninspired because more than likely that means you are on the brink of the next wonderful thing that helps you grow.
