Welcome to this week’s podcast on “Same Sh!t. Different Day.”

Groundhog day is here! Growing up, this is one of my favorite movies. The storyline is that Bill Murray must replay the same day, Groundhog Day, over and over and over which literally drives him crazy. The definition of insanity is often referred to as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Can you relate to this as a business owner?

In sales, it can be challenging to balance this concept because we are taught the importance of routine, consistency, and discipline. We need to be all of these to avoid daily distractions.

However, doing the same thing again and again and again can become monotonous and boring. It can also be highly frustrating if we don’t see or can’t feel the progress we make.

The first place to start being more productive in your business is to ask yourself, what are the daily non-negotiable essentials in your business and how long, on average, should you spend doing them? Many of us get caught up in the doom-loop of busy work rather than money-generating activities. Busy work is, often, easier because it doesn’t involve other people.

Essentialism in business refers to the practice of focusing on only the most important and critical tasks, priorities, and goals while eliminating or delegating non-essential ones. It is a time management and productivity philosophy that emphasizes doing fewer things better, rather than trying to do everything. The goal is to achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness, and impact in business operations and decision-making.

“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” This concept is the biggest challenge for solopreneurs.

Here are some other tips to help stay motivated and inspired:

1. Vary daily tasks – salespeople can switch between different tasks to avoid monotony, such as alternating between making calls and meeting with clients. Theme days can help with this. So too can batching activities over smaller chunks of time (timeblock compression).
2. Set achievable goals – having a clear purpose helps salespeople stay motivated and reaching goals can provide a sense of accomplishment. Private, mini-victories precede major public victories.
3. Continuously learn – keeping up with industry trends, product updates, and new sales techniques can provide a sense of growth and make the job more interesting.
4. Network-building relationships with colleagues, clients, and industry peers can provide a source of support and stimulation.
5. Working Environments – Get outside of the house or the office more often. Find environments that motivate or inspire you. Inspirational things happen in inspirational places.

BONUS: Find hobbies outside work – engaging in non-work-related activities can refresh the mind and bring balance to a salesperson’s life. Learn how to “shut it down” for 24-36 hours to recharge.

I’ve never bought into the saying, “If you love what you do you’ll never work another day in your life.” As entrepreneurs, we must find various ways to stay motivated on a consistent basis. Entrepreneurs are naturally impatient people who like to try (or create) new things. Our greatest strengths are also our greatest weaknesses. As is the case with most things in life, we must practice balance.