Sometimes the flame can burn out on your business. The things that used to invigorate you have become chores. The tasks that used to get you out of bed in the morning are now victims of procrastination. And there’s just nothing new and exciting about your routine. 

In other words, your brand is sitting on the couch at 4 p.m. in their pajamas, asking you what you should DoorDash for dinner while it mindlessly scrolls through the Netflix menu only to rewatch The Office for the 817th time. 

There’s just no sizzle. 

And without a spark, the business can die. So let’s talk about some ways to fall in love again!

 

Brand Therapy

 

Sometimes in order to fix a broken brand, you need an outside perspective. Staring at the same website, taking endless selfies for Instagram, and conducting daily administrative work is a little… blah.

If you’ve hit a wall it might be time to bring in someone for a brand makeover, business coaching, or mentorship. 

But don’t just slap a new outfit on an old concept. Actually take the time to identify what isn’t working, what you’re not enjoying and where things started to falter. 

 

Spice Things Up

 

It’s easy to fall into a daily routine that is unfulfilling, but, for the most part, works. You do things “this way” because that’s how it’s always been done. And while that may no longer be satisfying, it also isn’t catastrophic. 

Safe zones are usually snooze zones. And just because you aren’t failing, doesn’t mean you’re wildly succeeding. Business growth requires constant engagement, improvement and innovation, so if you’ve lost your drive, you might eventually lose the whole brand.

It’s time to spice things up. Seek out a partnership that you’ve always daydreamed about, even if it feels a little scary. Set an ambitious goal. Commit to creating a product you know will push your boundaries. 

The point is you need to divert away from “business as usual.”

 

Reconnect to Your Why

 

Go back to the beginning. Think of the early days. When it was fun and invigorating. Do some journaling or flip to the bottom of your Instagram page or read your first blog posts. Remind yourself of that young, naive, fledgling business owner you once were. Take time to not only remember how it felt to just get started, but to also applaud yourself for all the ways you’ve succeeded. 

If you’ve lost sight on why you’re still doing this, go back to your origins. Find your why. Are you still aiming towards that initial desire or have you gotten way off course?

We’re all guilty of chasing the things that are shiny and new, but sometimes that pulls us far away from our core. It’s time to get back to doing what you were meant to do!

 

Focus on Joy

 

Surely there is still some part of your business left that you like. Maybe you’ve grown resentful because you’re stuck in admin/management land and you’re denying your creativity. Or perhaps there’s just a piece of your business that has run its course that you’re resisting getting rid of it. 

We’re all about making a list over here. So make one. 

Column A: Things I love about my business. 

Column B: Things I don’t love about my business. 

Get honest with yourself and put on paper what exactly it is that is making you unhappy. But don’t forget to also think about what you find delightful as well. Then start spending more time with the joyful parts. 

We can all lose some love for our businesses. There are times when no matter how exciting your brand is, work just feels like work. Accept that not every day has those first date vibes, but if you’ve been miserable, it’s time to take action and make some radical changes in order to find the love again.