Lost my mojo...

[Saffra]

I've had my business for several years now and things are going well, although growth has plateaued. I have an employee, who is great, and my work is massively flexible. I run my business from home. Perfect in theory as I have a 20 month DD. I work 20-30 hrs a wk, which includes some evenings and weekends.

Recently, however, I feel like I've lost my spark. The business takes up so much headspace, and I always feel as if I should be working. I feel that the limited time I spend in the business is preventing it from growing. But, I don't want to work anymore - just don't have the mental energy! Plus, I don't want to miss out with my time with DD.

Plus, I feel a bit ground down by continual issues/problems that need addressing. I used to love working on new things - coming up with new ideas, marketing etc. But, it just all feels a bit too hard at the moment.

In short, I've lost my mojo.

Any idea how I can reclaim it??

Could you find a partner? I freelance from home and I find this "slump" from time to time as well and I find it comes back if I spend time working alongside others or i get some kind of networking going to bounce ideas off . What do you do?

It's an online boutique, so working with a partner isn't the solution tbh. (Although I did set up with a partner initially... It was clear it wasn't going to work pretty much straight away!).

Maybe I just need a bit of a break from it. Just feels like I'm continually shoehorning work into every spare moment, and don't feel like I have much of a life outside that and my toddler.

I'm afraid I don't have any solutions, but I feel the same way about mine - with the continual problems that need sorting. And, although it's flexible, I'm always 'on call' to sort out problems.

I almost feel a bit trapped, because my earning potential and flexibility now are far greater than if I jacked it in and got a regular job where I'd be able to leave work at work.

I was thinking about taking an hour each week to work on CPD or sign up for some work related courses as that has given me a boost in the past when my motivation has slumped.

So difficult Saffra, sorry you're having a bit of a slump. Maybe the thrill has gone, but if you make a good living beware the grass being greener. Have you been at home with your 20 month year old full time? I think a lot of people who do that might love to have a flexible business, and not spend their life singing nursery rhymes. Not that I'm saying for a second there's anything wrong with that.

All I'm saying is, for what it's worth, definitely don't make any sudden movements. I run an online shop too, I'm also the designer/maker and I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old (and just started trying for another). It's all a massive juggling act, and I wrestle with guilt, but I also know how much I would hate to work for somebody else, also since my oldest started school, I see how quickly it all goes and they are in school, and then you need something to do with your days.

You must have so much experience already, maybe you can up and do something fresh, a new shop?

Also, what about a life coach, sounds like you're at a crossroads and that it might be really useful to speak to a professional who deals with this sort of thing in particular.

Sorry for the slow reply. Been a crazy few days, but I've been mulling things over.

Effectively, I've replaced a full-time (good) income with my business, which is PT/flexible hrs, so would be crazy to give things up. Definitely not at that stage, but missing that spark of passion at the moment.

A few months ago, I started meeting with a mentor. It's very early days, we had a second meeting on Tues. But, it's certainly given me some clarity on certain issues and has made me feel a bit more positive about the business. - which is def a good thing.

Noviascotia33 - the two grannies have stepped in to look after DD, which i am massively grateful for. But, until very recently, mainly for just a few hr chunks at a time at my house. So, i suppose i was probably more SAHM than not, in terms of domestic burden! I have really valued my time with DD though.

Actually, I seem to recall that you posted about the possibility of trying for another - and now I see that you've bitten the bullet in making that decision - that's wonderful, good luck. I'm going to start trying for another at the end of the yr. Have no idea how it'll all work out TBH! End of the year is hurtling ever closer...

When people are employed and this happens, they either talk to their boss about a new project or challenge, or they start looking for another job. It's a natural part of working life to get bored/stale - I struggle with it, because I am only using one specific part of my skill set so I do get a bit 'meh' about things.

Some ideas:
Keep going with your mentoring
Volunteer to do some mentoring or speaking yourself
Get some pals together and do a brainstorm about your business - what's your long-term plan? How will you get there?
Find another type of work you can do part-time - for eg, I'm a copywriter but I do a restaurant review once a month or so. Just nice to be doing something different. Or start a blog or something to present your skills to a wider audience. Or volunteer.

I also think it's really hard to switch off when you work from home - is this something you can improve on? Can you say you won't even look at the computer between certain hours?