What keeps founders going when motivation fades? Our experts share practical strategies for staying driven when your business starts to feel like it’s running you.
Running a business can feel relentless. In this edition of Let’s Talk, we asked successful founders and business advisers to share what actually keeps them going when motivation runs dry, and how they prevent burnout when the daily grind threatens to take over.
We gathered advice from entrepreneurs who’ve been there, and the strategies that helped them reclaim their energy and purpose.
Let’s Talk!
Read also: Let’s Talk: How can AI help small businesses read their customers’ minds?
Louise Siwicki, Calm Coach & Workplace Wellbeing Strategist
“When it feels like the business is running you, it’s usually a sign that you’ve forgotten to pause. I’ve been there chasing the next thing, juggling all the moving parts, telling myself I just needed to push a little harder. But motivation doesn’t come from pushing it comes from being present. These days I’ve learnt to come back to calm first. A few deep breaths, a walk outside, a moment to remember why I started. When I regulate my nervous system, I reconnect to clarity and from there motivation flows again not from pressure but from purpose.
Calm isn’t the opposite of success; it’s what allows you to sustain it.”
Damian Lepore, Logitech ANZ’s Managing Director
“Feeling like the business is running you, rather than the other way around, is a common experience for most business leaders and owners. One of the main ways to reclaim control is by returning to the ‘why’ of operating a business. What are the key strategic pillars that drive every employee toward a shared, common goal? Every task, meeting and decision should be tested against this core mission.
Another critical component is the art of delegation. While it seems simple in theory, many leaders wear multiple hats in the business without realising it, particularly in the SME world. I encourage other employers to take time out of their day to assess where their energy is best spent and to optimise their network around you.”
Lauren Clemett, CEO, The Audacious Agency
“If your business is keeping you awake at 2AM you know you’re not in the driver’s seat! The answer is about building an unshakeable, strategic foundation. You stop being reactive when you have a clear, non-negotiable process that guides every decision, enabling you to practice what you preach and deliver on your promises.
At The Audacious Agency, we have a unique three-part philosophy, the 3R’s: Reputation, Recognition, and Respect. This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s our compass. It means we don’t chase every shiny object; we only focus on activities – like awards leveraging – that build a powerful, respected profile.
This focus helps your entire team prioritise strategic goals over distractions. It makes it easy to say “no” to the noise and avoid that exhausting fear of missing out (FOMO). When you have a signature approach, your motivation comes from the confidence that you’re doing exactly what you’re born to do. That unwavering conviction is what keeps you focused and moving forward, even when you’re busy.”
Dave Chauhan, Co-Founder, Purple Spark Advisory
“You didn’t start this journey to become an employee in your own company, yet that’s the trap. Your “Why”; Your “Purpose” has been sacrificed for the tyranny of the urgent “what”. You’ve traded the captain’s telescope for a mop, swabbing the decks while your ship drifts towards the rocks.
The solution isn’t to work harder; it’s to install a better operating system for your leadership. That system is Nautical Leadership. Here are three immediate actions to reclaim the helm:
- Define Your “Beacon”. Identify your top 1-3 non-negotiable outcomes. Any task, meeting, or “opportunity” that doesn’t directly serve these is a distraction. Your focus is your most finite resource – protect it.
- Run a “Seafarer” Time Audit. For 48 hours, track every task. Be brutally honest. Circle everything someone else could do, even imperfectly. That is your immediate delegation list. Your genius is in deciding, not doing.
- Schedule Non-Negotiable “Horizon Time”. Block two 90-minute sessions in your calendar this week. No emails. No calls. Just you and the strategic questions. Research from McKinsey confirms that leaders who practise deliberate reflection show superior performance in complex and high-pressure situations.
Your job is not to row; it is to steer.”
Fleur Allen, Business Success Coach & Master Networker of Ask Fleur
“When the business starts to feel like it’s running you, it’s time to step out of your business, not push harder. Try these three approaches to stay motivated and grounded in purpose.
- Reconnect with your purpose. Schedule regular time, monthly, quarterly, and annually, to reflect on the impact and meaning you want to create. Check that your operations still align with that purpose.
- Prioritise yourself. What restores you? Being outdoors, playing sport, meditating, or listening to music? This space helps you shift from reacting to leading with clarity, often sparking new ideas and energy.
- Find your circle. Surround yourself with people who value growth and purpose, a trusted group who can both support you and celebrate your wins. Success is not a solo journey.
Sustainable motivation comes from alignment with purpose, not endless pressure. When you honour that, momentum naturally follows.”
Lauren Cassimatis, Founder & Principal Lawyer at Gallant Law & Founder of Connecting Lawyer Mums
“Reconnect with your purpose – the reason you chose this field or business. As a criminal lawyer, I’m passionate about advocating for clients beyond the courtroom and being their voice when they feel anxious or scared. When work feels overwhelming, I remind myself that every case represents someone’s life, freedom, or future. Even when the system feels heavy, your work has real impact.
Set clear boundaries to protect your energy. Schedule non-negotiable breaks and personal time as you would a client meeting. Burnout often masquerades as apathy, so balance isn’t indulgent, but strategic. Delegate administrative tasks and use technology to streamline processes.
Reflect on and celebrate wins, big or small. Acknowledge your team’s achievements to shift your mindset to one of pride and motivation. Keep a record of successful outcomes, thank-you notes, or moments of professional pride. Revisiting them can reignite your purpose on hard days.
Stay connected with peers, mentors, and professional networks. Sharing challenges with others who understand reminds you that you’re not alone. Motivation thrives in community, purpose, and perspective. When you manage yourself first, your business begins to follow your lead again.”
Natasha Olsson-Seeto, Chief Executive, OnTalent
“One moment, you’re in the driver’s seat, steering your business with purpose. Next, you’re white-knuckled behind the wheel, reacting to every twist and turn while your business sits in the passenger seat yelling directions you never asked for.
It’s easy to mistake that noise for progress but the louder the business gets, the harder it becomes to hear yourself and that’s the real danger. When leaders lose touch with their purpose, organisations lose sight of theirs.
Motivation starts with reclaiming the driver’s seat.
Hit the brakes and take a moment to observe. Consider which elements have slipped into the back seat and ask yourself why. By grounding yourself, you can turn down the noise, shift the pace and regain clarity.
Culture is the reflection of every choice, boundary and value you model from the front seat. Focus on the few things only you can do as a leader and empower your team to own the rest. Then, follow through. Rest isn’t indulgence, it’s renewal.
After all, the real engine of leadership isn’t pace, it’s purpose.”
Trena Blair, CEO, FD Global Connections
“It’s easy to feel like your business is running you, not the other way around. When tasks pile up and challenges seem endless, motivation can wane. The secret to pushing through is reconnecting with your “why.” Why did you start this journey? True entrepreneurial drive comes from a deep passion for solving a specific problem.
Think of an educator who loves teaching. After years in the classroom, they see a new problem: scaleups needing practical support to grow. They launch an academy providing courses and tools. When overwhelmed by administrative tasks, they don’t just see paperwork; they see the leaders they are empowering. Their mission to educate and uplift reignites their motivation.
To stay inspired, constantly remind yourself of the problem you are passionate about solving. Keep your mission at the forefront of your daily activities. Visualise the impact you’re making on the people you serve. This connection to purpose is the ultimate fuel for overcoming any obstacle and keeping your vision alive.”
Peter Curran, Founder & Business Development Manager, Digital Surfer
“Every business owner has those moments where they question why they are doing it. Everyone needs something from you. There’s clients on your back. You have an endless stream of meetings. And you still have to worry about bringing in enough new and recurring business to keep the ship running.
You can actually often see these moments in a business’s marketing. Because of the pressure, businesses can often turn reactive instead of proactive and authentic. They may start to overhaul things for the sake of trying to do something, rather than actually drilling down into existing methods. It just creates a vicious cycle.
The best way to break the cycle is actually to slow down. Reassess what’s working and what’s not. Do more of what’s working, less of what’s not and then look at the gaps. With paid ads, it’s what’s driving leads and what’s just getting clicks. For SEO, look at what pages are bringing in traffic and leads, and what’s not. And get back to why you started what you did, and share that message organically. Authentic resonates, especially now.”
Morgan Wilson, Founder & Director, creditte accountants & advisors
“When the business is running you, motivation isn’t the problem. It’s a symptom. What’s really missing is clarity and momentum. We see this all the time with owners who are stuck in firefighting mode.
Step one is a 90-minute weekly CEO block. Review your key numbers, choose one leverage move for the week, and protect that time like a client meeting. Most business owners don’t need more data; they need better direction.
Step two is a simple operating cadence. Ten-minute daily huddle to set priorities. A 30-minute weekly scoreboard to track three metrics that matter. If it doesn’t move revenue, margin, or cash, park it.
Step three is to shrink the horizon. Work in two-week sprints with a clear “definition of done”: one win to create, one fix to remove friction, one metric to improve. Small wins stack into momentum.
The takeaway: motivation follows motion. Build a rhythm that creates progress every week and the feeling of being “run” by the business starts to fade.”
Steven Wambeek, Partner, Danaher Moulton
“As a corporate partner at Danaher Moulton, I lead small, highly focused teams through complex, time-sensitive M&A deals, often advising SME owners selling a business for the first time. These deals are uncertain and emotionally charged, with a lot at stake for the vendor. The pressure to deliver results while scaling our own firm is something most SME owners understand well.
What keeps me motivated is staying connected to why I do this: personal growth, business impact and meaningful work. I have learned I cannot do everything. Focusing on what truly matters, keeping perspective on important versus urgent, and thinking about my future self helps me stay on track.
Culture matters. Enjoying the people you work with, celebrating wins, and building camaraderie make longer days more rewarding.
You cannot lead effectively if you are running on empty. Make time for what recharges you and be open to change. Small shifts, like starting earlier to be home for bedtime, can make a big difference.
Motivation is not about doing more. It is about staying aligned, focused, and balanced to lead well over the long term.”
Greg Wilkes, CEO of Develop Coaching
“Every construction owner hits that point. The jobs keep coming, the phone never stops, and suddenly you realise you’re working for your business, not leading it. Motivation dips fast when the diary runs you instead of the other way round.
When I hit that wall years ago, turning over around $900k but chained to every quote and site, I thought I just needed to push harder. Wrong. I needed to pause and reset.
First, step back and remind yourself why you started. It wasn’t to be buried in quotes or chasing stage payments – it was to build freedom and security. If that’s slipping, your systems and schedule need fixing, not your drive.
Second, win the week on Sunday. Plan your top three priorities before Monday hits. If everything’s urgent, nothing is.
Third, delegate one task a week. Even a small win, like handing snagging lists to your site lead, builds space to breathe.
Let’s be honest: motivation isn’t about hype. It’s about control. Get your time, clarity, and cash back, and the fire returns. Because when you run the business with purpose, not panic, you rediscover what you built it for in the first place: freedom, impact, and a life you actually enjoy.”
Nitesh Roopa, Managing Partner, ProfitPulse
“Every business owner eventually hits a point where the work starts to feel heavier than the reward. The endless flow of emails, decisions and expectations can turn motivation into fatigue. When that happens, the first step is to pause and reconnect with why you started. Purpose brings perspective, and perspective restores control.
Take stock of where your energy goes. Most owners spend too much time on tasks that others could manage. Letting go of low-value work creates space for what truly matters. Structure also helps: begin each day with one hour dedicated to meaningful progress before distractions take over.
Surround yourself with a small group of peers who understand the pressures of ownership. Their perspective can make challenges feel normal rather than personal. And step away from the business regularly. True rest gives your mind the distance it needs to reset and spark fresh thinking.
Motivation is rarely lost; it is usually buried under noise. With clarity, boundaries and the right rhythm, business ownership shifts from survival back to purpose. That quiet confidence, knowing you’re steering again, is the best motivator of all.”
Hilary Saxton, Director, Property Mastermind
“I totally get that overwhelming feeling when your business is running you instead of the other way around. I’ve been buried under a mountain of tasks, and that initial spark that ignited my idea faded away as I let the chaos take control. I’ve learned that overwhelm is a surefire way to end up with disappointing results.
The key to taking back control isn’t about working harder; it’s about putting in place a solid, non-negotiable framework for how you operate. For example, when our students at Property Mastermind start to feel swamped, we guide them back to focusing on their processes. This attention to detail leads to real, measurable outcomes that transform property development projects into profit. Our students do it time and time again, so we know it’s not luck – it’s the result of a structured approach that helps avoid costly, chaotic mistakes.
My expert advice is to concentrate on Clarity, Belief, and Action. Take a breather from the chaos and spend an hour creating a straightforward system for your most challenging process. This system will act as your shield against the disorder and help your business get ahead of the chaos.”
Daryl Wright, CEO/Director, Converse Advisory
“When your business starts feeling like it’s running you, it’s time to pause and reconnect with your purpose. Remember why you started — the vision, the independence, the impact you wanted to make. That spark is your anchor.
Next, shift focus from reacting to leading. Reclaim control by setting clear priorities each week — what truly moves the business forward versus what simply fills your time. Delegate or automate what drains your energy and doesn’t require your personal touch.
Motivation returns when progress feels real. It often begins with small, steady wins — a clear decision, a solved problem, a step forward that reminds you you’re still leading, not just enduring.
Build in breathing space. Stepping back, even briefly, helps you think strategically instead of just surviving the day-to-day. Connect with mentors or peers who understand the grind; perspective from others can reignite clarity and confidence.
Finally, celebrate progress — not just profits. Acknowledge small wins, milestones, and growth moments. Motivation thrives on momentum, and momentum starts with recognising how far you’ve already come.
Leadership isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters most.”
John Harding, general manager, managed services, Konica Minolta Australia
“It’s not uncommon for business owners to experience periods when the demands of daily operations can eclipse long-term strategy. Staying motivated in these moments requires a shift in perspective: focus on the value being created, beyond just the operational output. Reconnecting with the broader purpose of the business anchors decision-making and provides clarity on why the work matters, even when tasks feel overwhelming.
There are two key ways to achieve this:
- Adopt systems that streamline complex or repetitive activities. Automating low-value tasks and strengthening processes reduces the cognitive load on leaders and employees, helping them redirect energy towards strategic objectives instead of firefighting.
- Evaluate how knowledge flows through the business. Siloed or poorly managed information creates unnecessary friction that makes the business feel chaotic. Transparent communication, structured processes, and access to the right data at the right time alleviates the sense of being controlled by the business and strengthens motivation by demonstrating progress and alignment.
Motivation is sustained when leaders feel they are shaping the business rather than reacting to it. Realigning with purpose, simplifying workflows, and strengthening knowledge management shifts business leaders from survival mode to a position of proactive leadership.”
Melanie Vairawanathan, Founder & Principal, Melmark Law
“The truth is, there will be seasons when business feels relentless. I have found that motivation does not come from perfection or control but from purpose and perspective.
When things feel chaotic, I stop and ask myself what impact I am really here to make. For me, it is building a practice that empowers families, women, and future lawyers. Remembering that keeps me grounded.
I focus on small, intentional actions and give myself permission to pause. A coffee, a walk or five quiet minutes can bring back perspective faster than another hour at the desk. I trust my team, celebrate small wins, and stay anchored to the mission that started it all.
Motivation is not about being endlessly driven. It is about being aligned. Once you return to alignment, clarity and energy naturally follow.”
Riaza Manricks, Leadership and Performance Coach, Reimaging Business
“When your business starts running you, it’s usually a sign you’ve lost control, have slipped into overwhelm and are trying to do everything, all at once. It’s like sitting in the passenger seat while the car drives itself – scary! For most people, that’s when motivation disappears and you start losing the spark that made you start in the first place.
My top tip is stepping away to reset your focus. Get out of your usual environment; go to a café, library, anywhere different and give yourself space to zoom out. Physical distance from the noise helps create mental clarity.
Then it’s time to get back in the driver’s seat. Dump absolutely everything out of your head and onto paper. Once it’s all there in black and white, you’ll feel instantly calmer. From there, prioritise what you need to do, defer, delete and delegate, and plan your next steps – chunked down into bite-sized, achievable pieces.
Getting your business mojo back doesn’t come from doing more – you may as well be rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic! Instead, it comes from pausing, getting perspective, and reclaiming control.”
Melissa Williams, Director, Learning Dimensions Network
“It’s a moment business owners know all too well – that sinking feeling when you realise your business has turned into a demanding taskmaster. When putting out fires starts to dictate your life, it’s a clear sign that you’ve lost control. To regain your motivation, you need to recognise that being busy doesn’t equate to being a leader.
After spending two decades in learning and development, I’ve discovered that the greatest issue often lies in a lack of effective delegation and boundary-setting. A crucial shift is moving from just doing everything yourself to intentionally developing your team’s capabilities. When leaders apply structured adult learning principles to foster team accountability, they not only free up their own time but also enhance performance.
To start taking back control, try setting up a “No-Fly Zone” for operational tasks one morning a week. Use that time to concentrate solely on strategy and building your team’s capacity. It will buy you some time while you nurture a resilient, self-managing culture.
The key to winning in business is transitioning from being the most overworked employee to becoming the most effective leader. Don’t let your business run you – take the wheel and steer it in the right direction.”
Saurabh Arora, Director, True Capital
“As business owners and entrepreneurs, our most valuable asset is our vision, and we can’t steer the ship effectively from the engine room. When the business you’ve poured your heart into starts to feel like a runaway train, it’s time to introduce some strategic friction.
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by “busywork”, which is why you need to understand the importance of focusing on high-leverage tasks.
The trick is to weave strategic friction into your daily routine. Take a hard look at how you spend your week: if a task doesn’t directly contribute to revenue, significantly boost customer retention, or help scale the business through smart delegation, it’s likely sapping your vital focus.
Just carving out a daily 30-minute block—completely shielded from emails and meetings—led to a remarkable 15% increase in high-value sales closure rates in our business.
Your drive shouldn’t just come from working harder; it should come from working smarter on what truly counts. You need to be the visionary, not the administrator of your business. Take a moment to breathe, reassess your priorities, and ensure you’re on track and directed on the path you genuinely want your business to follow.”
David Antonacci, Director, Teeny Tiny Homes
“The overwhelming sensation that your business is running you is a clear indicator that you’ve hit a growth ceiling. The instinct is often to double down and work even harder, and I’ve been in that position. When Teeny Tiny Homes began to scale, I found myself creating the bottleneck for every decision, making every project longer to complete. I learned that true leadership isn’t about being irreplaceable; it’s about making your team essential.
Here’s my key takeaway: Delegate the process, not just the tasks. Start by jotting down your top five recurring tasks. This simple exercise can provide the clarity you need to offload responsibilities. This approach has enabled us to manufacture 12 homes a month, compared to 3 a month just two years ago. It’s been vital in tripling our overall production capacity.
It’s all about transferring responsibility and ownership. Give your team clear processes and the authority to act, then step back and offer your support. When you empower your people, you free up time to concentrate on strategy and vision. Stop doing all the work yourself and start building a team that can achieve results far beyond what you could do alone.”
Elise Balsillie, Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand
“Business momentum doesn’t disappear overnight. It tends to erode in small moments – when the overflowing inbox dictates your priorities, when social posts lag behind or when online feedback goes unanswered. The spark that once drove your business may begin to dim under the noise of constant reaction.
Reclaiming that drive starts with alignment. When your systems, communication and marketing operate in sync, energy follows. Automation lightens the load, however insight fuels renewal. Seeing, in real time, how customers discover your business, which posts create engagement and where your brand earns trust, reshapes the way your business leads and grows.
Online presence has become a mirror of credibility. A well-managed review, a consistent voice on social media and a transparent digital footprint build connection long before a sale. These signals remind your audience that behind the business sits a human, responsive and reliable.
True motivation also stems from progress you can see – when the tools, technology and storytelling surrounding your business finally serve your purpose. That is when structure replaces stress, clarity replaces clutter, and you lead with intent, not exhaustion.
When systems support your ambition, the business doesn’t run you, it runs with you.”
Geoff Main, Founder and Fractional CMO, Passionberry Marketing
“When your business starts to feel like it’s running you, it’s usually a sign that your vision and your calendar have drifted apart. Motivation fades when every day feels reactive rather than aligned with progress and purpose.
And we’ve all been there. You’re not alone.
I tell leaders to pause and reconnect with the original ‘why’ that drove them to start. Then rebuild the structure around that purpose – and use every resource at your disposal: your team, expert partners, peers, supportive businesses, and even your budget – to realign your focus.
At Passionberry, for example, we don’t run paid ads, but we absolutely invest in marketing. We have people dedicated solely to building Passionberry itself – and yes, that’s an expense. But it’s also a choice: to use our people and partners to build the business toward its purpose.
Every founder eventually hits a point where the business stops feeling like freedom and starts feeling like an obligation.
The turning point comes when you realise motivation isn’t about more hustle – it’s about regaining control of your time and headspace.
When I’ve felt that slide, I go back to the basics: clear priorities, cleaner systems, and conversations with people who remind me why I started. You don’t need another productivity hack – you need perspective.
For me, this usually comes from talking with good people, exercise, sunshine, a good meal, fresh air and listening to motivational podcasts or music with a beat :).”
Anna Harrison, Founder, RAMMP
“When did “staying motivated” become code for letting your business emotionally blackmail you? For too many founders, especially in B2B, what started as freedom has morphed into a calendar-driven hostage situation. Hustle culture sold us the idea that struggle equals virtue. It’s time to break up with that lie.
Dr. Anna Harrison, founder of RAMMP and author of Digital Brand Romance, says motivation isn’t the issue, clear boundaries are. “If your business was a date,” she asks, “would you want a second one?”
I’m done watching founders white-knuckle their way through another quarter. Your business isn’t your jailer… but if it feels like one, it’s time for a relationship audit. That’s where the ADORE Process™ comes in: RAMMP’s diagnostic framework that works like couples therapy for you and your brand.
“The moment your business starts acting like a stage-five clinger,” says Anna, “you don’t need another TED Talk. You need a strategy reset.”
RAMMP’s AI tools help founders ditch chaos and rebuild momentum with systems that make space not suck the soul. Real motivation doesn’t come from pep talks. It comes from clarity, traction, and remembering why you started in the first place.”
Pip Stocks, Founder, Pip Stocks Consulting & The Startup Muse
“That success only comes from grinding harder, is an old-fashioned way to work so ‘staying motivated with high levels of stress’ is the wrong way to think about how you run a business.
The old way was all about hustle – long hours, late nights and burnout worn like a badge of honour.
Today’s founders are smarter: we pause, recalibrate, experiment and let new insights and strategy drive action. Business builders understand today that burnout kills innovation faster than failure ever could.
To build a sustainable business, we must create from alignment, not exhaustion. Most business builders today want to run their business with purpose, not panic and definitely do not want to feel like their business is running them.
Grind is out and momentum and creativity are in.”
Fabrizia Roberto, Fractional CMO and Director, The Silva Spoon
Since recently purchasing The Silva Spoon – a long-standing, much-loved teahouse and tea brand – I’ve had to be really intentional about the role I play in the business and the multiple roles I play in my own life. I mapped out what my involvement would look like in the first six weeks, six months and beyond, because I know how quickly you can get pulled into the day-to-day and lose sight of your bigger vision.
I’ve learned this the hard way through my fractional CMO work, which I’m continuing to run alongside The Silva Spoon. There have absolutely been moments where I’ve fallen into the trap of doing too much and saying yes by default. That’s usually when motivation dips and when I need to remind myself where I add the most value: clarity, strategic thinking and momentum.
One of the most effective tools I’ve come to rely on is delegation. Not just handing off tasks, but trusting others to own outcomes. That, and being clear on my own boundaries – when I work, how I work, and the kind of work I say yes to – has helped me stay focused and energised.
When everything starts to feel like a priority, I use the ICE framework:
Impact, Confidence, Effort
- Impact – Will this move things forward in a meaningful way?
- Confidence – Do I feel well-placed to deliver it?
- Effort – How much time or energy will it take?
High impact, high confidence and low effort? Do it.
Otherwise? Delegate it, delay it, or drop it.
None of this is perfect. I still have messy weeks. But having a filter, a plan and a few strong boundaries makes a massive difference and keeps me in charge of the business, rather than the other way round.”
Suzi Dafnis, CEO of HerBusiness and Host of the HerBusiness Podcast
“When it feels like your business is running you, when you’re slammed for time and feel like things are not moving forward (overwhelmed, stressed, burning out FAST)… some people will offer advice like this:
“You just need more ‘me time’.”
“Take a weekend away for YOU!”
“Things will get better, just get some rest.”
No.
Those are surface-level solutions. “You” time can’t fix burnout, and it can’t turn your business model around to work for you.
What you really need is to get to the root of the issue.
Have you built a business that acts more like a cage than something that frees you?
Is your business model sustainable and profitable, even if you were to step away for days, weeks, or months?
How can you realign your business model to work for YOU?
Address the root. Take action NOW to determine what isn’t working — not when the timing is better, not when things slow down.
Because guess what is waiting for you after that work?
A business that fuels you. A business you love waking up to each morning. A business that gives you that feeling of true impact and fulfilment and joy.”
Loz Antonenko, Founder & Healthy Habit Coach, Loz Life
Running a business can feel like you’re driving the car while it’s on fire. I know that directly: as founder of Loz Life, I’ve helped countless people get ‘unstuck’ by focusing on one thing at a time. When the business tries to run me, I come back to the basics, one hand-brake habit at a time. Break it down to walk, breathe, sleep well, connect with one person. Progress becomes sustainable when you adopt the tiny actions that build momentum. Motivation is the steady drip of habits that keep the engine running.
Vanessa Norman, NDIS Business Mentor & Coach, Vanessa Norman Coaching
“For business owners in the NDIS world, the pressure to perform, comply and grow can leave you feeling like you’re being driven rather than driving. I’m Vanessa Norman, I built and then gave away a multi-million-dollar NDIS provider business and now I teach others how to grow with heart, structure and confidence. When things feel out of control, I set a non-negotiable: 30 minutes each morning to map one action that aligns with “why we’re here”. I share that with my team. Suddenly the business becomes a vehicle for the mission, not just the mission chasing the business. Keep motivation alive by anchoring to purpose, simplify what you can and delegate what you shouldn’t do.”
Moxin Reza, Founder & Managing Director, Investor Partner Group
“As the founder of Investor Partner Group, I’ve seen what happens when an investment business runs the founder instead of the founder running the business. I’m Moxin Reza, serial investor, buyers-agent, mentor. My anchor when things spin out: I revisit the performance data and remind myself of the strategy that drives results. Then I schedule one “stop-doing” list for the week, eliminating what drains instead of adds. Motivation returns when you control your focus. When you feel like the business is driving you, take the wheel back: re-clarify your mission, prune the noise, and commit to one metric that matters.”
Goro Gupta, Founder & Managing Director, Socially Innovative Housing (SDA)
“The moment the business starts running you is the moment you lose the why. I’m Goro Gupta (MAICD), advocate and entrepreneur in the SDA and ethical housing space. When deadlines, regulation and growth demands mount, I carve out space to reflect on impact: what difference are we making? Then I break that into next-step actions for the team: one home built, one life changed. Motivation resurfaces when you reconnect to purpose and match it with process. The business doesn’t drive you, you drive the business, toward something meaningful.”
Christopher Melotti, Founder of Melotti Content Media
As a business owner, you go through waves. Sometimes you run the business, sometimes it runs you. People often say “work on your business, not in it” like it’s a fixed state, but that’s not reality. You bounce between both, and that’s part of the evolution.
Motivation comes from recognising which role you need to play and when. There are times when leading from above is essential – setting direction, building strategy, looking ahead. But there are also moments when diving into the trenches is necessary. That’s not failure, it’s flexibility.
If you feel stuck always working in your business, take a step back. Get fresh perspective, speak to a coach or simply pause. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Motivation returns when you reconnect with your purpose and give yourself permission to shift gears.”
Kane Lewis, Founder & Director, enablePR
“When the stress hits, and the work piles up, it’s easy to cave in and forget the whole reason you started your business in the first place. For me, it was the freedom to work in a way that best suits me, and to implement something different; going against the grain from the toxic, churn and burn attitude of a lot of other PR agencies – and implementing strategies that are my own.
When the going gets tough, reminding myself of the vision and reason I had for taking the leap to go out on my own and start my business helps keep me motivated to push through.
Though, sometimes that’s not enough. When you run a business, it’s hard to take a break – but often, that’s exactly what you need. 10-15 minutes of meditation, a good stress releasing run, exercise in general – these are my vices when the business is running me instead of it. On a normal day, I meditate once a day – on a busy day, I meditate twice a day! I find, when I’m in a stressed state, the quality of my work lowers. If I make time to ease my way out of a funk – both my work and my clients benefit, and that’s always something that will keep me motivated.”
Read also: Let’s talk about the finance habits that separate winners from losers in business
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