How To Stay Motivated When You Don’t See Any Results

You have slaved away for months, possibly years into realising your goal and the results are shameful. The lack of leads and income are a pitiful reflection of your considerable time and effort. When your results are disproportionate to your input it is easy to slip into feelings of, frustration and disappointment. However, the honest truth is that despite the lack of financial rewards, the time invested has not been a complete waste of time. Consider the knowledge and skills acquired during this time.

I once established an online chocolate and gift book hamper business, with limited sales. In hindsight the timing to stop the business was perfect as kindle became increasingly popular and the sales of hardback copies declined. The decision to stop enabled me to advance and pursue an extension of the skills I had already learned and equip me with graphic design skills and explore my creativity, which is something I absolutely love. However, at the time, I felt complete and utter devastation knowing that I had invested all that time and effort and had very little results to show for it. The saying that the journey is more important than the destination holds true, particularly when you can reflect on the growth, education and acquisition of new skills you develop along the way. Never underestimate the personal development that evolves along your journey, it can be empowering and benefit you sometime in the future.

It is understandable that when you fail to see results, the decision to quit is confronting. Here are 7 tips to stay motivated when the results are absent:

1. Stop and Reflect What You Are Doing

If the results are lacking, it is important to stop what you are doing and assess what areas are not working and focus on the areas that are. Taking a complete break from what you are doing can help clear your mind and cultivate innovative ideas. I find exercise often helps me to explore new designs.

2. Change Your Strategy

Often it may not be the goal that is the problem but the strategy you have deployed to achieve your results. The journey to success is not always a straight line, therefore, you may have to rethink your actions and redirect your efforts. For example if your social media strategy is failing to generate you leads, you may need to reconsider your social media platforms.

3. Take Inventory of What You Have Achieved

You consistently review your failures and immerse yourself in negative thinking. However, you fail to observe your accomplishments and the personal growth that has evolved along the journey. Take a moment to reflect on the skills and wisdom you have acquired, you will be pleasantly amazed at the depth of knowledge you have learned.

4. Keep Failure in Perspective

Failure is a reality of life and most of us fear it and dread it. Nevertheless when you give power to your negative emotions, you allow it to dictate your future decisions. Learn to separate your failures as personal and this will pave the way for you to move forwards without it impacting on your self-esteem and confidence. Remember many of the greats, failed several times before they became hugely successful.

5. Celebrate Small Victories

It is important to celebrate the achievement of small victories along the way. In addition to improving your self-esteem, it helps boost moral and confidence, giving you the determination to keep moving forwards.

6. Avoid the Fear of Judgement

Many people are easily influenced and fear the judgement of others. Remember what others have to say about you is merely their opinion and not fact. When you allow the opinions of others to take a hold of you, it empowers them not you.

7. Read Positive Learning Material

Reinvigorate your mental state by submerging yourself in positive feel good literature and videos. Find uplifting resources that will boost your mood and spirit. Often I find reading stories of people who have overcome adversity inspiring, despite their challenges they have preserved and become successful.

Stay positive, work hard, make it happen!