Running your own business can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also one of the most emotionally demanding paths you can take.

Many small business owners find themselves hitting a point where they feel disconnected, disheartened, and unsure whether to keep going. It can feel like you’re working hard without seeing the results you’d hoped for, or like the passion you started with has faded somewhere along the way.

These moments are more common than they seem, and they don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. But they can be uncomfortable to sit with – especially when you care deeply about your work.

Why These Feelings Happen

A lack of motivation or enthusiasm in your business doesn’t always stem from a lack of skill or effort. More often, it’s a sign that something needs to shift. You might be:

Working in ways that no longer align with your values
Experiencing burnout after a long period of high output
Comparing your progress to others and feeling like you’re falling short
Simply not seeing the momentum you expected, despite your best efforts

When this happens, it’s easy to jump to thoughts of quitting altogether. But before making any big decisions, it can help to pause and look at what’s really going on.

What to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up

Rather than pushing through or walking away entirely, try taking a step back to reflect:

Reconnect with your ‘why’ – What originally motivated you to start your business? Is that reason still true for you, or has it evolved?
Identify what’s draining you – Are there particular tasks, clients, or routines that are feeling especially heavy right now?
Recognise the season you’re in – We all go through phases of growth, rest, and recalibration. You may simply be in a quieter phase than usual.
Revisit your definition of success – It’s easy to adopt other people’s measures of success without realising it. What does success look like for you, right now?

These reflections can help you make informed, intentional changes - whether that’s refining your services, setting clearer boundaries, or simply giving yourself space to rest and reset.

“The highlights were the actual sessions and being able to discuss things through in a manner that helped create some clarity in my mind.”

~ Edward

You’re Not Alone

If you’re feeling unmotivated or questioning your next steps, know that it’s OK to slow down. It’s OK to reassess. And it’s OK to make changes that feel right for you… even if they look different from what others are doing.

Want to talk about it?

Many of the clients I work with come to coaching at this exact point: when something’s no longer working, but they’re not sure what comes next. With the right support, these turning points often become the catalyst for a more sustainable, satisfying business model.

Whether you choose to pivot, pause, or continue with renewed focus, the key is to approach the process with compassion and clarity. You don’t have to have all the answers right away, but you do deserve to feel supported while you figure them out.

I’m offering a free connection call, and welcome any questions you have for me.

Schedule a free call