During the fourth stage of emotions that experts say most new entrepreneurs experience, you will adjust to having become used to your role as a business owner. As this happens, most entrepreneurs redefine themselves and their lives in terms of their business, and they accept that their company will be a part of their lives well into the future. After you’ve passed through the first three emotional stages, the Busy Phase, the Second Thoughts Phase, and the Self-Doubt Phase, you will enter into the fourth and final stage of entrepreneurial emotions, the “Been There, Done That” Phase.
Below you will find some of the emotions you’re likely to experience during this stage and how to use those emotions to your advantage:
Fatigue
At the rate you’ve probably been working for the past many weeks and months and even years, it’s no wonder that you should feel some fatigue. If you’re anything like most new entrepreneurs, you’ve probably been operating at pedal-to-the-metal speeds since the inception of your business, and, regardless of who you are, that pace simply cannot be maintained forever.
Once things start to calm down in regards to your company, you could find yourself with very little energy, whether that energy is emotional, physical, or creative. This fatigue causes many entrepreneurs to become depressed or discontent, and they wonder whether their business will always be as exhausting as it was during its beginning stages. Rest assured, however, that feeling tired is completely normal, and there’s no need to feel guilty about wanting some rest. In fact, if your business can survive a commitment cutback on your part, even a temporary one, this could be a good idea. “Recharging your batteries,” so to speak, could serve to benefit both you and your business.
Boredom
Believe it or not, a number of new entrepreneurs find themselves becoming bored during this fourth stage of emotions. Once the initial fervor dies down and you no longer have to work 14 hour days only to lie awake at night brainstorming or stressing about your new company, things are likely to seem very, very quiet. For many entrepreneurs, they find that their new peace of mind is too quiet. You have probably become used to operating at a frantic pace, so, although it may be a relief to find your business settling down, it could also leave you feeling as if you don’t have enough to do.
This might seem unthinkable to you if you’re reading this during the beginning stages of your startup, but this boredom is actually quite common. Like any job or career, your new business will eventually evolve to show some definite patterns and routines, and, although these are a natural and essential part of any healthy company, these routines could leave you somewhat disinterested in your business, as opposed to consuming all of your energies and passion like it did in the initial phases.
You can use this boredom to your advantage, though, if you direct your extra energy and attention towards improving and building upon your existing company. Or you can simply try to change your mindset to one that values this new free time rather than resenting it.
Contentment
The reward for all of your hard work, diligence, and perseverance (even in the face of taxing and trying emotions) is vast. Experts say that one of the most pleasant and lasting emotions during this fourth stage is simple contentment. At this point, your business has probably reached the point of success, however you choose to measure it, and you’ve been granted the opportunity to slow things down, “kick back,” and survey what you’ve accomplished. Chances are, you’ll be very pleased with yourself. The act of departing from your old life, working towards building something new, braving the negative emotions and fear, and ultimately emerging as a successful and independent business owner is one of the most rewarding and satisfactory things an individual can accomplish.
The fourth and final stage of the emotions of entrepreneurship highlights just how hard you’ve worked and how far you’ve come as an entrepreneur. The fast pace of the initial efforts of your startup will likely take its toll, leaving you feeling fatigued, and the relative lack of stress could manifest itself in the form of discontent or boredom. But if you push through these negative feelings, you’ll be left with a feeling of contentment and accomplishment.
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