This month, I reached the third anniversary of my business. Leaving my previous job was not a choice, it was a need. I simply could not work for my boss anymore. After several months of disagreements, I knew that I needed a change, and I needed one fast.
When you start your own business, every experience is new and usually scary. Every decision feels like it can make or break your business, every bad thing that happens to the business feels like a personal insult to your dignity, and every bad result for a client feels like it is the end of the world.
For most of us, the negatives tend to outweigh the positives. Even when we have accomplished a lot, a bad thing that happens will take over all our thoughts and emotions.
Having gone through the “downs” way too often, I have found that answering three questions will put your “ups” into perspective, help you refocus, and get back into the game.
Question 1) Why did you start?
Try to remember why you decided to start this business to begin with. What was the catalyst that got you to put in all this work in the first place?
As I mentioned earlier, my journey started because I had no other choice. I needed to get out; I needed an escape. Starting my own business was my way of releasing myself from the control of a boss — not just my previous boss, but from all future bosses. Remembering this decision still drives me to continue to work harder, to build my business.
This is the starting point: what was the fire that got you started?
Question 2) How far have you come?
Most of us don’t count the accomplishments we managed to achieve. Even when we have done so much, a small failure can feel like the end of the world.
For me, I look at what I have managed to accomplish until this point. For example, I have worked with big brands. I helped three businesses pass the million-dollar mark. I have managed millions of dollars in ad spend and collected millions of leads. Last but not least, I have created a 6-figure business. As such, I have a lot to be proud of. Of course, some things have not gone my way, but look at how much I have accomplished!
Take stock of what you have achieved, and it will help put your failures into perspective.
Question 3) Where are you going?
When you first started your business, you likely had a goal far off in the distance. Besides the financial and personal freedoms, most business owners have a dream they hope to achieve.
I first started managing Facebook ads in 2012, long before most brands were taking it too seriously. I saw just how much money brands of all sizes were leaving on the table. The power of Facebook ads was already allowing businesses to get in front of millions of people, creating new businesses, and scaling already successful businesses. I wanted to help brands use their advertising spend effectively. I also wanted to help them scale their businesses by using the most powerful advertising platform in the world. My goal for this year is to help at least 10 entrepreneurs build 7-figure businesses, using the power of strong funnels and Facebook ads.
This is my driving force. This is what gets me out of bed in the morning; this is what keeps me up late at night.
When I sit on this vision of helping others achieve their wildest dreams, it helps me ignore my small losses and allows me to see the bigger picture.
So, what gets you out of bed in the morning?
It is so important to remember that the ups and downs are totally natural in business. But, instead of allowing the “downs” to fog your thought process and keep you depressed all day, just remember these three questions:
1) Why did you start?
2) How far have you come?
3) Where are you going?