Un-slumping Yourself To Success.

“When you're in a Slump, you're not in for much fun Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.” - Dr. Seuss.

We all know the feeling of being in a slump. It usually happens after a period of experiencing sustained success. As we enjoy success we start to take it for granted and soon we stop doing the things that got us here. We expect to get the same results without the same effort. Before we realise it we are in a slump and we're stuck.

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." - Bill Gates

Sometimes we get into a Slump because of a change that is so severe it knocks out our mojo and we can't seem to get back to where we were. This was certainly the case for me, I had become succesful in business and in my profession as a business motivational speaker in South Africa and then I moved continents to North America and start from zero. At first my drive and determination to do it again was all that kept me going, but soon I realised this was not going to be enough.

When you are in a slump in your business or career, you know what you are capable of and have achieved before, but can't seem to reach it. This causes you to be frustrated, angry and then depressed. If not dealt with the slump can absolutely knock you out of the game and stop you from reaching your full potential.

I am happy to say that I did not allow the slump in the new market to beat me and I hope that by sharing some of the keys I have learned you can un-slump yourself into the success that is possible for you and your business.

1. Create Habits That Move You To Your Goals.

When you are in a slump, the habits that made you successful before may no longer be enough to get you to your next level. It is important that you become intentional about creating new habits that will move you forward.

In a slump new habits encroach your life and business. Some of them include hitting the snooze button every morning instead of getting up and facing the day ahead. If this is you, decide to have something to look forward to every morning, a simple exercise routine like jogging, walking the dog or getting on the treadmill for 30 minutes in the morning can do the trick. For some it may be getting up to meditate, pray, do yoga or a number of things that will give you energy. You'd have to push yourself at first but remember the big picture and why you're doing this - Un-slumping your life, career and business.

Other habits include things like networking with the right audience for your business and career. You have to keep company with people that move you forward, people that challenge you and people that are succeeding at your game. Misery loves company and if you don't watch it you end up hanging with other slumpy people, who are not moving ahead and you feed off each other. Be in the habit of hanging out in the level you want to play at.

2. Set and Act On Daily And Weekly Goals.

The importance of setting goals cannot be overstated but when you are in a slump it becomes critical to your success. So much so that you need to start setting what you want to achieve each week and then break it down to what you will do today. Don't start your day without saying what are the 3 important things I need to achieve today. At the end of the week, preferably on a Sunday afternoon or evening ask yourself: Did I achieve my previous week's goals? and What goals do I have for the week ahead?

It is not enough to set these goals but you need to put them into your calendar and actually do the actions that are required to meet them. We don't fail becuase of a lack of good ideas or lack of creativity, we fail because of the failure to implement our goal through disciplined action.

3. Be Clear About Your Breakthrough Destination.

Don't just try to reclaim your former glory, paint a bigger picture for where you want to be. Decide what level you want to get to this time around. This can be the sales level you want to reach and maintain, it can be an income you want to consistently generate, it can be a professional or business level you want to have. Then be clear about the figures and be as specific as possible about what you want and by when. You can set this destination at 3, 6, 9 or 12 months but the more urgent you make it the more likely you'll move closer to your destination.

Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself

This is not a step as much as it is an attitude thing. When you're in a slump it's easy to be overwhelmed by feelings of failure and start feeling sorry for yourself. Nobody cares about your feelings, the market only cares about the value you bring to it. The higher the value you deliver, the more the market will reward you. Nobody gives you an opportunity or business out of pity but as a result of perfomance and displaying that the value you deliver is worth the price tag.

Dust yourself, get up from your self pity and do the 3 things outlined or watch yourself being in a worse place this time next year. It's your choice. As Dr Seuss says "...you're not in for much fun Un-slupmping yourself is not easily done." but it is possible so choose to make it happen.