When you’re building a small business or lean startup, it’s normal to have days where your energy feels drained and your motivation takes a dip. Between managing operations, marketing, customer service, finance, and still trying to grow, some days just feel like too much.
If you’ve ever felt tired, or mentally stuck, you’re not alone. You’re human. And this isn’t a sign that you’re failing, it’s a natural part of the journey for anyone building something meaningful with limited resources.
In fact, in Buddhist thinking, this state is known as “sloth and torpor” (thīna-middha) — a heaviness of body and mind that makes it hard to move forward. It doesn’t mean you’re weak or uncommitted. It means your body and brain are signaling a need to pause, reset, and realign.
Don’t Fight It, Acknowledge It
One of the best things you can do as a business owner on low-energy days is to acknowledge how you feel, rather than pushing through with frustration and lashing on everyone around you. This small act of honesty can help release the pressure you may be putting on yourself to always be in “go mode.”
Ask yourself:
What’s weighing on me today?
What’s one thing I can take off my plate just for now?
What would help me feel just 1% better?
Often, simply pausing for a moment gives you the space to pause, reflect and regroup.
Revisit Your Why
Sometimes, the real drain isn’t physical, it is emotional. The pressure of running a small business can pull you away from the reason you started in the first place. And that is why I’m really happy about the Nigerian government’s MSME-friendly new tax policies as of July 2025. It gives a level of support. So, when you’re feeling stuck, take a step back and reconnect with your “why.”
Why did you start this business? (your reason for jumping into the river too)
Who are you helping? (your ideal customer)
What difference are you making? (impact story)
Remembering the purpose behind your work can help rekindle your fire, especially when daily stress blurs the bigger picture.
Check In With Your Team (Even If It’s Just One Person)
If you have team members or even just one support staff, reach out and connect. You don’t always need to talk business, sometimes a short, light conversation about the beauty of Akwa Ibom or why Snow falls in the UK and not Nigeria can lift the mood and remind you that you’re not doing this alone.
For solo founders for example Adanne growing her tailoring brand in Nnewi or Dakar, check in with your support system, it could be a friend, business buddy, or mentor. One encouraging conversation can go a long way on a tough day.
Take Small Energizing Actions
On low days, avoid putting pressure on yourself to complete everything. Instead, focus on one or two small energizing actions:
Step outside for fresh air
Take a 10–15 minute walk
Drink water and stretch
Catch a brief comedy
Do one simple task, not two to feel productive
According to a Harvard Health study, just 20–30 minutes in nature can lower stress levels by up to 20%. That little reset can help you return with better focus and a clearer mind.
Lead With Presence, Not Perfection
Whether you’re managing one staff member or a small team, remember: your energy influences the entire business. But that doesn’t mean you need to pretend to be okay or “power through” on empty.
It means showing up with authenticity and presence. When you acknowledge your low-energy days but still move with intention, what you model is resilience, not just for your business, but for people watching your business journey.
You Don’t Have to Feel Your Best to Keep Going
Running a lean business doesn’t require you to be a machine, it just requires you to be mindful, adaptable, and consistent. Some days you’ll be on fire. Other days, you’ll just be doing your best to show up.
That’s what leadership demands..
So the next time you wake up feeling low, instead of trying to fight through it with guilt or pressure that you shouldn’t be feeling that way, honor the feeling, take a deep breath, and make one small move toward your vision.
Your wins will add up, not from perfection, but from showing up with purpose.
Written by:
Paul Oyewusi, PHRi™, SFC™, TRC, EMBA
People, Business & Leadership Consultant
Advisory Board Member for Businesses
Author of A-Z of Emotional Intelligence for Business
