One of my clients said something recently that I think a lot of business owners can relate to: “I feel frustrated and disappointed. I’ve been working hard, and it still feels like I have nothing to show.”
If you’ve ever felt like that, you’re not alone. Especially in those first few years of business, you’re showing up, trying new things, and still wondering why it doesn’t feel like enough.
I’ve been in business long before social media was the go-to marketing tool. Back then, I built connections face-to-face at events, through referrals, and by forming genuine relationships. It was slower but more personal, and it taught me how to build the business muscle you need to stay in it for the long game.
Now, we’re expected to do everything online: post daily, create reels, and engage 24/7, and it’s easy to feel like you’re behind before you even begin. The pace feels faster, the pressure feels heavier, and the comparison is constant.
But what hasn’t changed is that building momentum takes consistent, small steps. The ones you often overlook because they don’t “look” like progress yet.
Years ago, before everything moved online, I produced and authored an audio CD called The Power of Our Words and several others that helped people reset their thinking and reconnect with their purpose. Those projects made a lasting impact on others… and on me.
What we say to ourselves and the environment we place ourselves in play a bigger role than we realize. That truth has never been more obvious than it is now, especially when you’re growing a business online, where the pressure to “keep up” is constant.
Working on those CDs opened my eyes to how much internal dialogue we carry as entrepreneurs. We doubt, compare, and hesitate. And that self-talk either builds our momentum… or keeps us standing still.
That’s why I created the CEO Monday Reset to give you space to quiet the noise, shift your mindset, and start each week focused on the things that move your business forward. Download your copies in the newsletter.
But first, let me suggest five things you can do right now to change the trajectory of your business.
5 Ways to Build Momentum When You Feel Stuck
1. Shift from “nothing’s working” to “what’s trying to work?”
That one comment, DM, or referral might be the start of something. Pay attention to where traction is showing up, even the most minor signs.
2. Refine your messaging, but don’t throw it out.
Often, it’s a minor tweak that helps your message click. Who are you trying to reach, and are you using their words, not yours?
3. When you engage with people, ask more questions.
Comments are good, and conversations are better. Try this next time: “That’s so true. How is that showing up for you right now?”
4. You’re not starting over. You’re building differently.
If you’ve worked with coaches or tried different strategies, that’s not wasted time. That’s experience. Take what worked and let the rest go.
5. Remember: the business doesn’t grow without the person.
Mindset isn’t fluff. How you speak to yourself during slow times determines how long you’ll stick with it. Be kind and committed.
READ THE FULL Newsletter
[SUBSCRIBE TO READ ON] What’s waiting for you once you subscribe
Continued Article
Simplify Your Day to Day: Free Business Resource
Join My Woman in Business Facebook Community
Testimonial~
A. Fuller, Custom Orders Boutique Owner
“I used to hide behind my storefront. I loved connecting with customers in person, but the thought of showing up online made me freeze. I was scared to say the wrong thing, scared of being seen, and honestly, I didn’t believe anyone online would care what I had to say. Working with Dawn changed everything. She helped me shift how I thought about marketing not as something I had to do, but as a way to serve the people I wanted to reach. We started with one post a week, telling real stories from my store. Little by little, I stopped overthinking and started showing up. And you know what? People responded. Now, I’m connecting with my local community and reaching new customers online who never would’ve walked into my shop. The mindset work came first, and the marketing strategy followed. That combination helped me find my voice and build momentum I didn’t think was possible.“
