How to Get Through the Entrepreneurial Dark Days

Everybody has low energy days. When you are a creator and your job is to bring something into the world that doesn’t exist, that might not work, those days are especially tough. Sometimes all entrepreneurs have to run on is raw enthusiasm, so if the tank is empty everything around you can feel despairing, like it’s all crashing down. It’s like trying to bend a knee that has no cartilage, or driving a car without tires. Hang tight, it’s temporary if you allow it!

Here are some tips for getting through the rough days:

• Wake up and get up.
  Make a cup of coffee, a smoothie, whatever your regular morning ritual is. Then put on your shoes and hit the pavement. You may be a little slower than usual, which is fine just make sure to make it to commitments on time.
• Do your job.
  You might not have big breakthroughs or land the linchpin deals today. At minimum accomplish your typical day tasks, respond to emails in a timely fashion, and don’t allow anything that will become more difficult with time to pile up. Do your best to have positive interactions with anyone who has to cross paths with you today, and if you aren’t good for much else just muster a genuine smile.
• Go to bed early.

That’s it. There are many other little things that could help you through. Prayer and meditation, mundane and cathartic tasks, physically-demandin projects, satiating food, reading positive feedback and reviews, picturing our happy customers, reaching out to someone else who may need help, binging Dominion (after working!) — these have all been helpful to me, explore what gives you a boost. Start with getting through the day, not letting others down, and most importantly don’t spread the disease.