Do you have a plan for your business?  Have you put down on paper what you want to accomplish with your business?  Whether it is a bookkeeping business, a tax business or a coffee stand, a plan is the first thing you should do before opening your doors.  By writing it down you will be able to remain focused during the good times and during the difficult times.  You might have heard it said that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  Give as much time as necessary to planning your business.  It may take longer than you would like, but the effort will produce better results than no plan at all.

It is also very important to know you why.  Why you are doing what you are doing.  If your why is strong enough it can carry you through the tough times.  But it has to be strong and stir up some passion in you.  If you have a strong why and you write it down where you can see it, it can be a big help in keeping you inspired and energized.

Another thing I have found helpful is to make a list of things I have decided are important to do in the immediate future and those things that I have decided I should not do.  They help to keep me focused.  For example, if I decided not to spend money on little things I don’t need, when I get tempted to spend money on doodads, that list serves as a reminder that I had already made a decision not to do that, even if it is only for a set period of time.

Overall, I find it is good to find ways to keep myself, inspired, energized, focused and determined.  There are so many things going on that can distract me from what I want to remain focused on and there are many things in life that try to steal my energy and determination.  By getting things out of my mind and on paper, I don’t become double minded about my choices.