Weekly Words

What about the days when I don’t want to?

I’m writing this on the Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend and it was a good weekend. Lots of friends, lots of golf, a few cocktails and it’s raining and dogs are snoring and motivation is not off the charts. As a soloprenuer/business owner/creator, you have options and the one that sounds the best is getting back in bed.

I’m sharing 3 tips to handle the rainy days of business ownership in a way that feels authentic and gets the job done. Because, after all, you are human and you get to have rainy days now and then.

Weekly Round Up

3 Tips for Staying on Top of your Business on the Days when you Just Don’t Want To.

I have a trusted group of colleagues that I meet with regularly (IN PERSON!). We share stories, sometimes commiserate and always support each other over lunch. Without a doubt, the struggle of the “rainy days” is always someone’s struggle. We all have times when things feel like too much, when we feel like we are doing it all wrong, or when we are just sick of the constant fight to keep it all moving in the right direction. It’s called running a business and also having a life! Here a few tips on how to handle the days when you’re not feeling it:

1. Identify 3 things that get your blood pumping. Why 3? You need a back up for 1 and 2. Exercise may get you going but what if you are injured? Music may get you going in the morning, but what if you are driving kids to school and you have to listen to their music? A walk outside and fresh air may be your secret to a good day, but what if its raining? BTW, those are my 3 🙂 Always have an alternative way to get out of the funk because that thing I mentioned earlier (real life) may get in the way of #1 and #2.

2. Lean in. If you are going to continue to survive this thing called business ownership, know some days are going to be more inspired than others. And that is ok. Learn to recognize the days when you need to dial it back a little and set one goal vs. the days that you are shot from a cannon and conquering the world. You need both of those days to survive.

3.  But what if I don’t have the option to dial it down today? There are days when you want to climb back into bed and start again tomorrow, but today is not that day. You need a plan for a plan and things have got to get done. I don’t recommend having Chat GPT do your creative work for you, but I do recommend having Chat plan the day you don’t feel like planning. Here are 3 prompts you can use right now or on that next “rainy day”.

   • First copy this prompt so Chat knows who you are and what you do (if it doesn’t know this already).

     Prompt: “I’m a solo business owner and new to ChatGPT. I need help staying focused, productive, and creative without burning out. Here’s some info about me to help you give better support going forward:
     – What I do: [insert your business type — coach, creator, product-based, etc.]
     – Who I serve: [insert your ideal client or audience]
     – My top 3 business priorities right now: [e.g. growing my email list, creating content, selling my offer]
     – The way I work best: [e.g. in short sprints, with structure, with creative flexibility, etc.]
     – What I struggle with: [e.g. staying consistent, knowing what to post, overthinking content, etc.]

     Please act as my marketing and mindset coach. Each day, I want you to help me with either a small marketing task, a productivity tip, or a mindset shift that helps me stay focused and feel good about the work I’m doing — even on low-energy days.”

   • Next, use one of these prompts to get your day started and feel free to plug more in as the day progresses!

     • “I'm not motivated today, but I still want to move my business forward. Give me one small but meaningful task I can do today that will help me feel productive and proud — without requiring a ton of energy.”

     • “I’m feeling scattered this morning and unsure where to start. Can you give me a calm, 90-minute work sprint focused on something that will create real progress in my business today?”

     • “I’m having a slow start today. Can you give me 3 gentle reminders or affirmations that it's okay to move at my own pace as a business owner — and still get things done?”

PJ’s & Pep Talks

Find your Rainy Day Crew

I mentioned a group of colleagues earlier that have become an amazing support system for me. Even if your crew is one person, make sure you have them. You can’t do this alone. Whether it’s a local group of solopreneurs, a friend or family member you can touch base with on the regular or an online crew of like-minded creatives, get yourself a support system that you can lean on when you need to and that you can show up for when they are feeling down and out. It might be one of the best parts of this crazy self-employed thing.

If you need a crew, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Business Synergy Sisterhood hosted by Neta Talmour. It’s a Skool community of women in business. Neta is a genius that has created a FREE community of business owners on a platform that is designed to encourage encouragement and avoid spam and selling. It’s pretty amazing. You can check it out here and let me know what you think!

PJ’s Pick of the Week

Get it on Paper (or online paper)

Sometimes getting your idea out of your head and onto paper helps the creative process to get moving. I created a brainstorm worksheet for you to customize and use for all of those rainy day ideas that need a place to live. Click the button for the Canva template that you can use for all of your ideas! Let me know what you think!

THANK YOU!

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xoxo,
Steph