Grogan, on the other hand, is energised a little differently. She likes to maintain short video diaries to remind herself of the good moments she’s experienced. “Also, sharing ideas is a big driver. Discussing our future aspirations and setting goals together allows us to see things in the bigger picture and develop our ideas much further than if we were doing this alone.”
Good people also keep marketing guru Marion Di Benedetto energised — everyone from team members, to her business partner, mentors and general supporters. And to deal with the inevitable less-interesting tasks that come up, she stays focused by ensuring the to-do list is stacked with future tasks she actually enjoys. A light at the end of the tunnel that helps retain productivity and avoid procrastination.
Impact Leaders director, 26-year-old Emily Haigh, thrives on a challenge. She likes to take on board the lessons that emerge from facing difficulty and failure. “Pick yourself up and move on. Enjoy the moment and be thankful for the lessons you learn along the way,” she says. “The resulting success is hugely rewarding and fulfilling.”
For Elevents founder Elisa Limburg, being social and creative keeps her on track to deal with the tough days. She likes to continually come up with new ideas in order to work through challenges, sourcing the inspiration to stay motivated and enthusiastic about her work.
Samantha Dybac, founder of sales and marketing business Sammway, also knows the benefits of experiencing the downs in order to get enthusiastic about the ups. She says she’s experienced plenty of “fails” throughout her career but uses these to build up her resilience, take on a few business lessons, and continually strive for new achievements.
A number of these entrepreneurs noted the importance of staying physically fit and healthy when asked how they retain their energy throughout the day. For Wealth Enhancers co-founder Sarah Riegelhuth, this is a priority. She works out every morning with friends, before sitting down with them to share a coffee. It keeps her social, healthy, and ready to take on the day.
As for the happiness factor, all these entrepreneurs noted a love and passion for what they do. It means that even on the ‘off’ days they muster the energy to stay focused, knowing they’re contributing to a business they’re passionate about. As Riegelhuth puts it: “It’s really just life, rather than work.”
Angela Priestley is the publisher and founding editor of Women’s Agenda. She’s an author, journalist and passionate advocate for workplace gender equality and diversity. Her first book is Women Who Seize the Moment.
