We've all been there...that feeling when we lack the motivation to drive forward with something that's important to us. When we have taken a break from something like our business it can be hard to get back into the swing of things. We often feel a whole mix of emotions like guilt, doubt and laziness which leads us to ask ourselves are we really cut out for this?
The good news is this is completely normal and to be expected. The even better news is you can turn these thoughts around to get past this roadblock and here I share my top tips to move you forward.
Accept Perfect Doesn't Exist
So many fashion startups are waiting for that "perfect time" when things will be quieter, you'll be richer, the kids will be older, your 9-5 is less hectic and you've lost that extra stone (OK maybe that one is just me!). But guess what? That perfect time just doesn't exist because there will always be something new to come along and fill that time gap, to spend your money on, eat your attention etc. The best fashion startups I have seen flourish are the ones run by parents with full-time jobs because they get shit done. They accept it's full-on and hectic but they do it anyway and make it work. So if you're sitting there waiting ask yourself this - how will you feel in 6 months time if someone else launches your idea? Gutted right? Accept this won't be easy but it will be worth it.
Remember Your "Why"
It can be hard to stay motivated 24/7 so in times you're feeling a bit "meh" remember why you started this. Imagine it's a year from now and you've launched, how will you feel? What will life look like to have brought that amazing idea to market? How will you feel seeing people wearing your collection? How many lives will you improve by bringing your innovative idea to life? How will building a legacy for your future make you and your family feel?
Remembering the bigger picture really helps put the day to day tribulations in perspective and refocus your attention on the reasons you are pursuing this. If you need some further help thinking bout your why then I recommend you read "Start With Why" by Simon Sinek https://simonsinek.com/product/start-with-why/
Go Easy On Yourself
It's so easy to forget that life happens and can often get in the way of our best-laid plans. Acknowledge that sometimes you need to take some time out from your business. That may be due to illness, perhaps your family needs you, maybe your job is super busy or maybe you're just exhausted and need to take some time off. This is OK and it's important to give yourself permission. The main thing is to put a time limit on it and understand you'll get back on it by a specific date.
Make A Commitment
Have you heard the saying "what get's measured gets done"? If you make a commitment to yourself and write down goals which you then regularly review, you're far more likely to achieve them than if you're really vague about your plans. Think about your week and decide if there is any regular time slot where you can carve out some time to work on your business. Be vocal about this activity with friends or family so they know you have something important to do during that time slot and try to stick to it.
Using a planner can be a great way to do this and keep track of goals. I personally love the planner from Carrie & Co. https://carrie.co/product/perfectly-planned-2022/
Be Realistic
We only have 24 hours in the day so work out when you can realistically work on your business. Setting goals is great but if we constantly strive for perfection then this can feel really demotivating. Instead, look at your time and plan what you can realistically achieve in the day or week. Be the tortoise, not the hare and chip away at things one task at a time. Break larger tasks into smaller bite-sized chunks that you can work on when you have a spare hour. In a few weeks, you will have achieved far more than trying to tackle impossible large tasks.
Hopefully you can use these tips to stay motivated with your fashion brand. If you ned any further help then why not book in for a power hour to discuss your fashion brand and get help with anything you may be struggling with. You can see more about this here https://www.thefashionexpert.com/product-page/tailored-consultation-1-hour
Michelle Ramsay - The Fashion Expert®
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