PURSUING THE DREAM – how to power through tough times

You look around and those so-called "successful people" you hear of, appear running forward faster than Usain Bolt and jumping over endless hurdles like a gazelle. But here you are feeling stuck in a rut – your routine has become dull, unproductive, and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been there (several times, actually) and I feel you! Getting past these times is a mental challenge that no one is fully prepared for, so here are my tips, which I have found truly useful.

Re-Examine Your Purpose

When adversity strikes, possessing a clear understanding of your mission can be a lifeline. If your goals are fuelled by a deep sense of purpose and passion, they will empower you to persevere until you triumph. At times, unforeseen circumstances may shake your foundations and deflate your spirits. However, when your endeavours hold personal significance, you will be back.

If something holds great value for you, don't let it go – your determination will propel you to relentlessly chase your aspirations. Stay committed to your mission.

Create a Stronger Team

If you are a solopreneur and do not want to expand your team, then surround yourself with a new network of positive people with a similar mindset as you. Learn to incorporate AI into your workflow so that simple tasks can be outsourced to increase your productivity and relieve your brain from repetitive, tedious work. Integrating AI into your team will exponentially push certain processes faster to stay competitive. If you do have the capacity, hire new people with a positive enthusiasm that bring a boost of "can-do!" attitude to tackle the challenges ahead.

Hedge fund legend Ray Dalio has released an excellent free assessment test to find out which of the 28 archetypes and 10 categories you fall into. Me and my closest circle have taken it and I highly recommend you take it, too. It's free and the results may reveal some surprising blindspots about you and your team. It could potentially shift the current team dynamics, also redistribute leadership roles, and responsibilities to get you back on your feet and ready for success.

Revise Your Marketing Approach

Disruptive technological changes have impacted business models, customer expectations, and strategies. How is your brand adapting to the ongoing changes, and does it resonate with diverse perspectives and experiences? Step back, try to see the bigger picture and analyse where things are massively shifting. Are you losing touch with your target group? Communication platforms, methods, and styles also change with the seasons. Be self-critical of patterns that are settling into comfortable "business as usual" routines. Stay updated and maintain awareness of your brand's message and products in this fast-transforming environment.

Continue to Make Noise

Many times in life are we thrown off guard by adversity, tragedy, and challenges inside and outside of the business realm.

"Yet such blows do not necessarily diminish happiness. It is how people respond to stress that determines whether they will profit from misfortune or be miserable."

– Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Hard times provide opportunities for you to change your direction, re-invent yourself or discover an uncharted passage to overcome obstacles. Try to see the situation in a positive light or from a different angle. Important is that you do not lose steam and let yourself and your business "go quiet." Keep promoting your business and reaching out to your customers and network – though perhaps you just want to hide and shy away from the world – deliberately do the opposite. It is important that you stay in the game and practice resilience.

Keep in mind that these three flows – Mindflow, Workflow and Cashflow – build upon each other and are highly intertwined throughout the entrepreneur's and investor's way to success. (MORE on this at a later stage.)

The entrepreneurial journey is often a tumultuous one, riddled with unexpected challenges, setbacks, and stressful situations that will test you. Look also into OwnFoundations 5Bs FOR TRUE WEALTH to guide you during these times.