It happens to every independent consultant at least once or twice. Everyone else is thriving while you're wilting. Your peers complain about having more work than they can handle, and that they don't know how they're going to get it all done without letting someone down by saying "no". Meanwhile you're twiddling your thumbs, working for below-market-rates as a subcontractor, or getting turned down time and time again as you pound the pavement and work the phones.
What do you do when this happens? How do you survive a slump?
Surviving a Slump
Step 1: Recognize it's a slump. Once you can name it, you can fix it! Here are some things that you might notice:
- Not too many projects–finding yourself with free time
- You suffered a demoralizing major setback, like a lost project, failed marketing campaing, uncomfortable networking event or stalled payments
- You just don't feel like “doing the regular grind” of marketing and find yourself procrastinating way more than usual
Step 2: Forgive yourself. We all have slumps. Be kind.
Step 3: Take action
- Give yourself permission to take a break—change the focus (best if you have cashflow or a rainy day fund…which you do, right?)
- Exercise
- Paint the bathroom
- Spend time with a loved one who needs you
- Find one major (work-related) project that inspires you. Just one. Anything.
- Write an ebook
- Host a breakfast
- Dig into a networking group
- Sign up for a pro bono project to remind yourself how good you are
- Put together a speaking platform and try to get a bunch of talks.
- Get out in front of buyers…even if you don't feel like it. This can be the hardest thing, but talking to people who have challenges where you can help can both change your mood and change your situation.
My yoga teacher always advises us to notice how we are feeling today, and to notice that we feel a little different every day. Some days are better than others. Noticing, accepting and doing something to improve your condition will help you avoid a major meltdown, and keep you on the right track.
