Entrepreneur, Rob Stone on why you should celebrate business milestones

Published by

Stephen Emerson

Rob Stone, founder of £14 Million valued, Instaloft, began his business journey with a £200 credit card and a Facebook page, he expects to turnover £30 Million in the next three years.

The entrepreneur discusses why business leaders should not be afraid to celebrate their successes. Rob writes that it is a fundamental part of moving forward while helping avoid burnout and demotivation.

With offices in Peterborough and Reading, Rob's Instaloft employ 140 people across the UK.

Rob told The Business Magazine: "We are all in the habit of celebrating a host of significant milestones in our private lives, but many entrepreneurs neglect this when it comes to milestones and achievements in their business. Why?

"Building a business requires having a clear vision, and then bringing that vision to life through what are often long hours and a lot of hard work. It can be an arduous journey full of ups and downs and usually involves overcoming challenges, risks and a lot of self-doubt.

"This is why it is so important that on this path to success, you take pause to recognise the important milestones that you reach along the way. Celebrating the successes and wins, however small, is not simply about giving yourself a pat on the back, it is a fundamental part of propelling yourself even further on your business journey, and building off your own accomplishments to reach even greater heights.

Boost your influence

"Being an entrepreneur, especially when first starting out, can be an incredibly isolating experience. Long hours spent working alone for the betterment of your company can take its toll. Commending your own successes and, by extension, the successes of your business, is key to positioning your venture as one that people want to be associated with.

"Marking key milestones allows you to expand your circle of influence within the business community, opening the door to valuable networking opportunities and partnerships, while making it easier to attract new custom, clients and recruits.

Motivation

"Taking a business from the seed of an initial idea, and scaling it into a profitable, sustainable business can feel like a series of never-ending tasks. In our goal-oriented society, it is easy to become so caught up in completing one task and then moving unceremoniously on to the next, that we never stop and appreciate our achievements or how far we have already come. Over time, this can lead to a lack of motivation, and slowly erode the passion for your work.

"Burn-out is an ever-present risk, so acknowledging wins, whether it is a new client, reaching a target or completing a project, is crucial for maintaining momentum and motivation through tougher times, and ensuring you keep pushing forward.

A winning mindset

"There will always be setbacks in business, no matter how well-planned and executed your strategy is. But taking time out to celebrate when things go right can contribute greatly towards developing a positive mindset.

"The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who are able to maintain a resilient, positive mindset, as well as a certainty in their own abilities. Central to this is confidence in your skills and strengths as a business leader. Recognising your accomplishments is fundamental to developing this confidence and with it, realising your potential. Leaders who are confident in their own abilities, and have the right mindset towards their business endeavours are far more likely to take those risks and leaps forward that others might shy away from.

Creating successful teams

"While it is important to celebrate your own achievements, when your organisation succeeds, you should also acknowledge this with your team. Lead by example, in commemorating wins both big and small, you promote a company culture that does the same.

"Employees can take pride in knowing they work for a successful company, and at the individual level, they understand that their contributions are recognised and valued, making for a motivated and engaged team. Taking your team out for a celebratory meal, sending them a small token such as a gift card or flowers, or simply spotlighting their achievements on your social platforms are all small acts that can go a long way.

"No matter how you choose to mark your successes and wins, doing so should become a part of your ethos. Incorporating moments of celebration allows you to reflect on how far you have come, while providing the motivation and inspiration to achieve even more.

"Business is tough, and being an entrepreneur is even tougher, so why wouldn’t you celebrate the good times?"

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset. Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users. He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.