9 tips for staying motivated and positive when your lawn mowing business is struggling
Nine tips for staying motivated and positive when your lawn mowing business is struggling.
You need to expect the occasional bad day.
We all know that sometimes running a lawn mowing business can be challenging.
Dealing with breakdowns, slow payers, and bad weather is bad enough. Then when everything starts compounding, things can go downhill quickly.
There are days when you wonder why you got into this business in the first place, but don’t give up hope. If you stick with it, then the bad times will pass.
Meanwhile, here are a few tips that will help you get through.
Keep a positive attitude when your lawn mowing business is struggling.
No matter how tough things get, keeping a positive attitude is essential. This is easier said than done, but it’s important to remember that things can and will get better. Surround yourself with positive people, and avoid negative influences as much as possible.
If you have a customer or two that are always hard to deal with and really put a damper on your day, why not fire them?
Do it politely to avoid trouble. We usually send them a text telling them that we are increasing the price of all our lawns. (to prevent them from feeling singling them out) Then we let them fire us. They feel like they are in control and we don’t have to do the job anymore, so everyone is happy.
Set some goals.
I usually set realistic goals that I can achieve with a reasonable amount of effort.
Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by setting unrealistic goals. Once you have a better idea of what’s achievable, you can set some realistic goals and start working towards them. What do you want to achieve? Once you have a clear goal in mind, it will be easier to stay focused and motivated.
Back in the day, when I used to doorknock for quotes, I dealt with many rejections. I stayed positive by counting the “No’s.” I knew I got an average of one quote for every thirty doors. So if I knocked on ninety doors, I would be super excited because I knew I would get a run of “yes’s” soon.
Make a plan.
After you have defined your goals, the next step is to make a plan. What steps do you need to take to achieve your goals? Having a plan will help you stay on track and motivated.
If you have financial problems, contact the people you owe money to and talk to them. You will be surprised by how accommodating people can be. One of the things that I hate the most when people owe me money is when they go dark and I don’t hear from them. Comunitation is king.
Take action.
Once you have made a plan, it is essential to take action. Don’t just sit around and wait for things to happen-get out there and make things happen! Taking action will help you stay motivated and positive.
I find that staying busy is a good thing if I am not in the best of moods. Don’t wait for jobs to come to you. Get proactive and get out there and find some more work rather than staying home and stressing.
Knock on doors or contact your existing customers if you see anything else that needs doing when you visit.
Make your plan, decide what you will do, and then get out and do it.
If you feel like you would like to talk and get some feedback on where you are currently with your business, then you could always join the, and we will help you get back on track. Help is only one click away if you want it.
Stay organised.
When business is slow, it’s easy to let things slide and get disorganised. But staying on top of things will make it easier to get back on track when business picks up again. Plus, being organised will help you feel more in control and less stressed during tough times
Work on your systems: Scheduling, debt collection and customer management. When a business has sound systems, everything starts falling into place.
Keep learning.
One of the best ways to stay motivated during tough times is to keep learning and growing. Read books, take classes, or attend workshops related to your business. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to deal with whatever challenges come your way.
I use Udemy a lot. You can pick up courses there pretty cheap. I have learned much from Udemy and completed over 100 courses in the last five years. I mainly focus on topics that help my business, but you could study anything, really.
Another good way to learn is to listen to audiobooks while you work. This is a great way to take your mind off things while you work. You can get a first-class education, or you could simply read a ton of Stephen King books. I use Audible for that, and I have bought hundreds of books over the years.
Take care of yourself.
Taking care of yourself both physically and mentally during tough times is essential. Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. And don’t forget to take time for yourself now and then—do something you enjoy just for fun, without ulterior motives.
I like to take time off on the weekends to walk my German Shepherd or do a bit of art. Sometimes I go for a drive to a nearby town and wander around taking photos. Don’t be all about work; make time for the things you enjoy.
Perseverance pays.
Sometimes things are tough, and it seems like giving up is the best option. However, it is important to persevere during these times. Remember why you started your lawn business and keep pushing forward.
I remember that I said that once I got 90 rejections, I got excited because something good was going to happen soon. Your business is the same.
Bad times don’t last forever, they pass like everything else, and perseverance will get you through every time.
In closing
We all get down sometimes, and once we emerge, our business is more robust and better than it was when we started. Sometimes we need the hard times to appreciate the times when things are going well.
