Starting a small business is a rollercoaster. Confidence comes and goes with the breeze – lifting you into the stratosphere and then slapping you with a healthy dose of self-doubt. Despite the bumpy ride, I believe it’s a functional cycle that helps keep us focused. You certainly can’t fight it, so why not learn to roll with it?
For example, when I’m feeling confident and generally psyched about my work I choose to tackle highly creative and challenging tasks. (Such as making an important call to a prospective client.) On the other hand, when I’m feeling like a failure I go for a run, meet a friend for lunch, or spend time with my family. I’ve found great value in deciding what actions are appropriate based partly on understanding my current mood.
This approach surely isn’t for everybody, but it’s a key component to how I operate. If I’m not “feeling it”, I ask myself “Is this something that can this wait until I’m in a better mindset?” The answer is almost always “yes”. It’s amazing how often a task that seemed daunting in the morning seems exciting in the afternoon.
Be patient with yourself. When appropriate, match your tasks to your mood. At best, you’ll notice you work faster and produce higher quality results. At worst, you’ll save yourself some frustration.
