7 Super Simple Ways Entrepreneurs Can Stay Motivated and Productive

Motivation and productivity go hand-in-hand. Hence, the more motivated you are, the more productive, happier and fulfilled you become. For entrepreneurs this realization is key as they face and fight many challenges on their way to success.

In fact, some entrepreneurs have been so frustrated that they have given up on entrepreneurship permanently or temporarily. Reports indicate that business failure rate in the US is over 50% after 5 years with only less than 30% of businesses still alive by age 10.

Below is a chart showing

Business Startups and Closures in the US Between 1999 and 2010.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

For entrepreneurs in developing countries these figures are certainly much worse.

Some Factors Responsible for Business Mortality

  • Poor Ease of Doing Business score
  • Lack of critical social infrastructure like power, roads
  • Lack of capital/adequate funding
  • Unfavorable lending and interest rates
  • Lack of startup incubators, VC funding
  • Corruption
  • Poor corporate governance
  • Government bureaucracy and red tapes
  • Over taxation
  • High running costs, low profitability
  • War and crisis, etc

Yet, in spite of these and many more challenges, some entrepreneurs have managed to not only survive but actually thrive and prove to the world that it is possible to succeed anywhere as an entrepreneur.

Perhaps their motto could be “if plants can survive and grow on rocks, I too can and will.”

That right there is a motivational quote, one of the ways entrepreneurs and business owners manage to encourage themselves and others on the journey of entrepreneurship.

This is very essential especially for solopreneurs like freelancers, for whom entrepreneurship can sometimes be a very lonely journey.

And, because entrepreneurs have faced, fought and won many battles they are better qualified to give business advice, encouragement and motivation to upcoming entrepreneurs.

Here are some business advice for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs.

Why Words You Ask

Well, words are powerful, that’s why. We’ve used words including non-verbal gestures as means of communication for millennia.

  • Wrestlers and boxers use words to psychologically intimidate opponents
  • Words are used in enchantments and incantations

Myth has it that words spoken as curses are used to fell stubborn trees in the Solomon Islands.

Well, you shouldn’t believe myths, should you? How about science?

Scientific Facts Proving the Power of Words

Here’s what science can tell us about words.

1. The Plant Experiment

3 samples of the same plant were placed in 3 different rooms under the same initial conditions.

Plant 1

In Room 1 soft, kind and tender words were directed at and spoken to Plant 1.

Plant 2

In Room 2 harsh and bitter words were directed at and spoken to Plant 2.

Plant 3

Plant 3 was the control, so no words were spoken to it.

Findings

Days later all 3 plants were examined. Plant 3 showed normal growth. Plant 2 showed symptoms of seriously stunted growth. Plant 1 grew the most and the best.

2. The Water Experiment

Japanese scientist and water researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto has carried out extensive studies on the effects of words and sound vibrations on the molecular structure of water using high speed photography of water crystals and MRA.

He found that kind words like Mother Theresa’s, “thank you” and “I love you” produce a pleasant molecular structure in water, and words like Hitler’s, “I hate you”, greatly distort water’s molecular structure, as seen in the image below.

Examples of Times Entrepreneurs Use Words

Entrepreneurs use words for many reasons including

  • Pitching ideas to investors and backers
  • Convincing and on-boarding prospective partners
  • Interacting with staff and colleagues
  • Marketing
  • Sales
  • Interacting with customers
  • On Google
  • In content
  • In emails
  • In chat
  • On social media
  • In text messages
  • During phone calls
  • In meetings, etc

In all these instances entrepreneurs use or interact with words, and it is important that these words are the right words because the wrong words can totally ruin an otherwise great day.

Remember how the wrong words ruined your (friend’s) date or water’s molecular structure?

Now on to

7 Ways to Stay Motivated 24/7 as an Entrepreneur

As an entrepreneur it is important to be at your optimal as much as possible. Here are 7 ways to get and stay motivated all day

1. Less News

It is no news that news can be depressing, at least some of the times. It is certainly not the brightest way to start your day, except you’re a forex trader. Approach the news as you would fire; not too far lest you freeze and not too close lest you burn.

2. Meditate, Speak to Self

Another powerful way to get and stay motivated is to meditate, fix your mind on things you’re truly grateful for. In addition you should do what I call a speech-to-self; mindfully speak words of self affirmation and visualize every word you say.

3. Music Please

Imagine you’re the DJ of your life. Now carefully curate a playlist of music that really speak life to you, especially early in the morning. I have a personal playlist I use when working. Remember certain kinds of music can distort water’s molecular structure, how much more your mind and mood.

4. Exercise

Exercise helps release tension and relax our muscles. Regular exercise and physical activity reduces our risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases plus improves overall fitness. Whether on the treadmill or out in the yard, a good exercise routine is great especially when accompanied with matching music.

5. Say I Love You

Remember how water molecules react to those magical words. Saying I love you to your spouse or children can have a positive impact on them too. And guess what, as you genuinely give it and they lovingly receive it and reciprocate, you would get it back in good measure. Say it every morning before leaving for work.

6. Play Music/Podcast/Audiobook in Car

While driving alone your mind can race in different directions like to that unpleasant (co)worker, the bank loan, the court case, etc. You can keep it in check by listening to inspirational music, podcasts or audiobooks that teach a thing or two about entrepreneurship.

7. Read Blogs that Inspire You

Last but not the least, read, follow and subscribe to blogs like this that constantly teach about success and inspire you to be a better you.

Conclusion

Doing these will help you get and stay motivated for longer which is necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Author Bio

Amos Onwukwe is an AWAI trained Business and Ecommerce Copywriter who has been featured in scores of blogs including Huffington Post, Dumb Little Man, Ecommerce Nation, eCommerce Insights, Understanding Ecommerce, Result First, Floship, Successful Startup 101, Small Biz Club, Small Business Bonfire, among others.

Twitter: amos_onwukwe