Keeping yourself motivated
KATHMANDU, Nov 24: Whether you are an entrepreneur or a freelancer, it's not always easy to keep yourself on toes with no one pushing you. That's when you'll have to help yourself by being a self-motivator. There are varied ways of doing that; here are some that might work for you.
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Make sure you're self employed for the right reason
Some of the common reasons for why certain people choose to be self employed are because:
a) They desire the freedom to take decisions for themselves
b) They aren't able to join the labor workforce like other people (for causes such as disability)
c) Their job requires frequent learning and updating, such as a freelance web developer, who is expected to provide different content for different clients.
If you fit in any of these categories, then you're in for the right reasons. Deepika Shrestha, co-owner of Pack My Lunch, chose to open a business because she enjoyed adventure and taking decisions for her work. "Nepal's business scene is full of 'adventures' today. There is shortage of fuel and other necessities, and you will have to take contentious decisions now and then. However, I enjoy working for my idea as opposed to working for somebody else's idea."
Do what you like
It becomes very easy to keep yourself motivated if you're doing what you like. But you need to thoroughly research on it first before you go ahead. Deepika further asserts on that: "If you have bright ideas, you should definitely work on it, but you need to do your research first. Also, you'll need to be really patient; that's one of the most important traits all self-employed people need to have."
Freelance writer Kritika Lamsal feels that freelancing gives her the opportunity to do what she enjoys best. "It's one of the best advantages of freelancing; you're not stuck anywhere for too long. But what I also enjoy is to dig deeper into what I'm doing. That enables me to meet new people and expand my horizon."
Write down your goals daily
Now that you've chosen to do it on your own, make a habit of writing a journal. Start your mornings by writing down your goals for the day in bright colors. At night, reflect on what you did all day and think about how you could've done it faster. Doing this will keep you motivated, for not only will your goals be fresh in your mind but now you are working everyday to be better at your job.
While you're at it, you should also try jotting down your plans for the day. "I make sure my day is planned right in the morning. I also make sure I get all the important things done. You simply cannot leave important things for tomorrow," Deepika says.
Read daily
Reading daily, not just fiction but books and articles that motivate you or keep you updated is a good idea, especially if you are a self employed entrepreneur. Amit Agrawal, CEO at Janaki Technology shares, "I enjoy reading blogs on entrepreneurships, especially stories on success and failure. They help me understand my field better and keep me motivated. I feel it's extremely important to read if you've chosen to become an entrepreneur."
Meet new people
Staying inside your home with limited or zero socializing is one of the many traits that lead to depression. Going out and meeting new people will help you cheer up and also keep you motivated. Kritika shares, "Meeting new people, especially writers, and sharing thoughts with them help to boost my confidence and enthusiasm. I think, with the advent of social media today, one can easily make new friends. If you like someone's work, then you should totally send them your feedback. More often than not, you'll get a reply."
For entrepreneurs, meeting new people plays a crucial role in their businesses. The larger their network, the bigger their market reach.
Consider partnering up
Partnering up can be very motivating because that way there will be someone else you can count on. Amit adds, "Partnering is a wise decision even if you wind up with a wrong partner. It's like you'll have to kiss a few frogs before you find 'the one.' It's also an important lesson in entrepreneurship; you learn from your mistakes."
