Finding the energy to carry the business forward

[LesGawn]

Hi everyone.

I have just joined the forum over the last day or so - and it looks pretty interesting.

I am in a situation that may or may not be uncommon - but would welcome any constructive input.

My wife and I started a local business about 2 1/2 years ago.

It was initially very successful and we developed far more quickly than we had anticipated.

Essentially it is selling very low-priced advertising space in community-focussed magazines.

After the first year we expanded to two magazines using the same idea, then shortly after that three, then four.

The original one was always the best in terms of income generation, but the others gave us the purchasing power to get a great deal from printers etc.

The quality of the magazines has steadily improved and our readers are constantly giving us great feedback. Many of our advertisers have been with us from the start and everything seems great - on the surface.

We even won two business awards - one for the community content and one for our commitment to the way we promote local small businesses.

We moved from home to an office and were all set for things to carry on developing.

They didn't.

The shine has gone out of it. We seem to have lost the knack for selling the space and we are tired and tetchy with each other all the time.

Everything we now try seems to leave us less and less motivated and we are now avoiding selling at all.

Our customer base is dwindling through natural wastage and we have stopped making a profit.

Any suggestions of how we stop the slide?

[smartile]

Hi LesGawn,

I recently over heard two lawyers talking the other day. The younger lawyer said, "I'm always so exhausted. I don't know how much longer I can keep going at this pace. I need a break." The older lawyer replied and said, "Nobody needs a break, they just need a change."

In my own experience sometimes a change in direction or a new idea is all we need to keep moving forward to re-ignite our success. As you said,

The shine has gone out of it.

so maybe your future isn't looking so bright right now. Remember that this isn't permanent because everything is always changing. Turn this around by becoming aware of any new opportunities that are currently in front of you that light you up!

Stephen Martile — Personal Development Made Simple

[Lucas]

Les, I completely agree with Smartile, and I thank you for the PM! I think we should talk more and maybe I could help you. Reinvigorating business can be tough, but "gaining and retaining" customers is the key to keeping a business fresh, imo.

[mintyway]

I think any activity can become tiring and boring after a while, if you don't make sure to avoid routine. Make sure your mind is open to new opportunities. See what you can improve in your business. Perhaps finding new clients or working with a new business partner that will bring new ideas can be a good idea. You really need to keep moving and moving. See what can be done better.

If after a while you're still stuck, or if you think your business has reached maximum efficiency, you may want to consider selling it (providing it's financially healthy, you can make a good profit out of it) and start something new.

We all need to have projects. Either in our current activity or in new ones.

[ciarac]

I think that certainly this is a very normal and common occurrence. I would say that EVERYBODY, even the 'greats' of this world, even Steve, have experienced something similar.

I think you need to sit down with your wife and discuss your business.
Why aren't you excited about it?
Is it because it isn't as successful as before?
Do you want to continue with it?
If so, how can you go forward and overcome your obstacles?

I find that so often, whatever you are doing, whether you are working hard at something or not hard at all, unless your heart is in it, success won't come about, not permanently. The universe knows, or your clients know, someone knows, I don't know who, but when your heart isn't in it, it just doesn't work.

So, get your heart in it or get out of the business altogether.
Set yourself bigger and better goals; not just more clients but LOTS of clients, true success. Think of expanding more and more and becoming not only satisfactory but great. That should get you excited. If it doesn't, sell your business and start a new one.