Is it time?

What do you do when your passion is gone for your business?

How do you know when it is time to close the door for good?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Where did the passion go?  Do you remember a time when you would go to bed and wake up with this drive in your gut.  When you had to be prepared at all times to write down all the ideas that constantly popped in your head.  Does it feel like that passion is gone?  Do you struggle to get through the day?  Do you stare at the post your are writing for social media and have no desire to share anything?  I have 3 suggestions: first take a break.  Go on a holiday, take a staycation, visit a day spa, get away and turn off your phone and all notifications and just stop thinking about it all for a period of time.  Second, get around others that are in the same field or share your same business model and connect - take an online course, or attend a conference or retreat.  Allow other people in your field rejuvenate your passion.   Third, maybe it is time to close this door, but don't be rash in your decision.  Meet with a coach or someone that is distant enough that they can share wisdom into your decision.
2. Do you feel like you are walking upstream?  We have seen a lot of change in the last six months.  It is okay to feel overwhelmed.  Ask yourself, "What is the heaviest thing I am carrying right now?"  Is it personal?  Is it in your business?  Where is your struggle and how can you make a plan to work through it?  Who can come alongside you to help?  The struggle I hear about the most is the accounting side of the business.  Is this something that you want to continue to struggle with?  My guess is "No."  So what can you do?  You could take a class to learn how to do your accounting more effectively.  You can hire someone to set up your accounting so that it is quick and easy to do each day, or you can pay someone to do your accounting.  How much is your time worth?  Where is your time better spent?  Don't mistake a burden at work or in your life as a message that it is time to walk away.  Maybe you just need to ask for help.
3. What is your body telling you?  Listening to our bodies is important.  If your health is being affected because of a work environment then I would say it is time to move on.  Whether is is physically, emotionally or mentally - your wellness is so important.  If you are giving so much to your business that your health and well-being is suffering - you are doing to much.  I was working for an organization and I was having so much stress in my life that I was breaking out in hives.  Instead of dealing with the stress I was buying creams and taking antihistamines to control the itching.  I needed to address the problem not the symptoms.  So be honest with yourself - how are you really doing?
4. Do your clients/customers annoy you?  If the very people that make up your business and it's profits annoy you then it's time to check your attitude.  What's going on?  Is it something within yourself that needs to be dealt with (see #2) or have you already mentally checked out?
5. What is your gut telling you?  Previously we talked about our bodies but your gut, your inner instincts are what you really need to listen to.  Deep down do you really want to see this thing you created blossom, or would you rather it magically disappear overnight so that you can create something new?

Are you ready to make the choice?

I know it's hard.  What will people think?  You know what?  Who cares?  You have to do what it right for you.  That business you created 10 years ago may not be who you are today - people change.  Maybe there is someone out there that has been jealous of you for years and they would love the opportunity to keep moving what you created forward.  

​There are so many opportunities and adventures to be had.  It's time to make the decision.  Grab a notepad and a glass of wine or cup of tea and start working through the questions.  You will have your answer at the end of question 5.

Have questions or thoughts you would like to share, please leave me a comment below.