As an entrepreneur, making the leap from part-time to full-time in your event planning business is a thrilling, but daunting, decision. After a recent two-month vacation, I had time to reflect on the challenges of being fully immersed in my business. What I realized is how much of a mental game it can be to stay motivated, push through tough days, and get out of bed with purpose each morning.
Running your own business can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also hard work—especially when you’re responsible for every aspect of the operation. There’s no one to answer to but yourself, and that’s where motivation becomes both your biggest asset and your toughest hurdle.
Here are some tips that have helped me stay motivated while working full-time in my event planning business:
1. Create a Structured Routine
When you’re working for yourself, it’s easy to lose track of time or get distracted by personal obligations. One of the first things I learned was the importance of setting a daily routine. Block out specific times for tasks like client meetings, marketing, and administrative work. Having a structure makes it easier to start your day and gives you a clear path to follow. Treat your work hours like any other job—show up for yourself.
2. Set Meaningful Goals
On days when getting out of bed feels impossible, having goals in place gives you something to aim for. I found that setting both short-term and long-term goals made the workload more manageable. Whether it’s booking a certain number of clients or reaching a financial milestone, knowing why you’re doing the work provides motivation to keep going. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may seem.
3. Breaking Down Large Task is key to finding motivation
The nature of event planning means juggling several projects at once, and it can quickly become overwhelming. I found myself procrastinating on bigger tasks until I started breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Tackling one thing at a time creates a sense of accomplishment and keeps you moving forward.
4. Focus on Your "Why"
When the going gets tough, I always remind myself why I started my business in the first place. For me, it’s the freedom to be creative, the joy of bringing someone’s vision to life, and the ability to work on my own terms. Whatever your reason is for going full-time, let that be the fire that drives you. On difficult days, reconnecting with your purpose can reignite your passion.
5. Surround Yourself with a Strong Support System
Running a business can feel isolating at times, but you don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with a community of other entrepreneurs or like-minded professionals who understand the challenges of being self-employed. Leaning into my network for advice and encouragement has made all the difference. Whether it’s bouncing ideas off someone or simply having a motivational conversation, a strong support system can keep you on track. I recently started attending meet-ups with other balloon businesses; I have found them rewarding because sometimes you just need to be around your people.
6. Invest in Self-Care
Working for yourself means there’s always something to do, but burnout is real, and it can kill your motivation. Taking care of your mental and physical health is crucial to staying motivated in the long run. After my vacation, I learned the importance of regular breaks, exercise, and time spent away from work to recharge. A well-rested mind is far more productive and creative than an overworked one.
7. Track Your Progress
Sometimes, the day-to-day grind of running a business can make it feel like you’re not getting anywhere. I started tracking my progress—whether it’s growth in client bookings, new skills I’ve learned, or financial improvements. Seeing how far you’ve come can be the motivation you need to push forward on hard days. I've spoke about in a previous blog, but get you a bright balloon planner from Amazon. While it's geared towards balloon businesses I a sure you that you can use it for any business.
8. Stay Adaptable
Finally, flexibility is key. The event planning industry is unpredictable, and some days won’t go according to plan. I’ve learned to embrace the challenges and pivot when necessary. Adaptability allows you to stay positive and keep moving forward, even when things get tough. I want lie, with the over saturation of the balloon industry, I've been starting to feel a little defeated so I started thinking of other ways I can add to my business and decided to launch a charcuterie cart business.
The decision to go full-time in your event planning business isn’t easy, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It requires motivation, discipline, and a strong sense of purpose. But with the right mindset and a few strategies to stay motivated, you’ll find that the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Remember, you didn’t start this journey to give up. Keep pushing, stay focused, and trust the process.
Let’s make this quarter—and the next—our best yet!