When the laundry is piling up, you just can’t face cooking dinner, and worst of all, income drops off because you just can’t find the energy for your home-based business, what do you do?
“And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.”
~ Dr Seuss
You know you’re in a real funk when you need a glass of wine every evening, several cups of coffee every morning, and spend all day staring at your computer screen hoping it might do the work for you. You neglect yourself, stay up late, avoid the gym and when your kids jump on you in the morning you hide under the covers (or worse, yell at them).
Yep – that’s one of the unpleasant truths of combining soloism, parenthood and a home-based business: when you’re in a slump, chances are your whole household will pick up on the vibe and slump along with you. And your business will slump too.
The good thing is that as a parent, you quickly realise that things can’t continue like this.
Your kids deserve better and of course YOU deserve better! This isn’t the reason you went into business by yourself. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
Unslumping yourself
Once you come to this realisation, it gets easier. You can kick yourself into gear. Revisit the gym. Take up boxing. Get the blood pumping. And delegate the housework to the kids when they jump on you in the morning.
Stop buying wine. Switch to green tea instead of coffee. Take a deep breath and try yoga or meditation in the evening instead of watching a box. But then the difficult part – how to un-slump your business and rediscover your passion?
Here are 4 easy ideas that can help:
- Take a business development course and refresh your strategic plans. Sometimes working on the business can help you invigorate your passion.
- Organise a celebratory event for your best customers. Building relationships makes you happy.
- Send gifts to your favourite clients or hold a member giveaway promotion. Giving to others is a proven way to increase your happiness and therefore your passion.
- Write down all of your achievements – Once a week write down at least 3 things you’ve achieved, and some things you’re grateful for. Focussing on the positives, incorporating gratitude into your life is another proven path to happiness.
And if all else fails, go and read some Dr Seuss books with your kids and look for deeper meaning. There are some great pearls to be found!
“With banner flip-flapping once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of guy!”
~ Dr Seuss
What do you do to pull yourself out a slump?
