Running a business is a funny thing. One minute, you can be swamped with work and the next you’re so quiet and you can’t see where the next penny is coming from.

When you’re desperate for new business, it’s likely that you’ll do tons and tons of marketing. You’ll really get off your back side and get out there as much as possible to get new business through the door.

But, here’s the thing. When you’re desperate for new business, it almost has the opposite impact. It’s almost as if your potential customers can sense this a mile off and don’t want to work with you because you come across as needy.

And this seems to be true no matter how much of a brave face you put on. Let me give you an example of this. A few months ago I went to a networking event and for some reason, I just wasn’t in the mood for it.

But I put on a brave face and thought I was coming across ok. At the break though, no-one spoke to me. It’s as though I was giving out an unconscious signal to leave me alone.

So, if you need to get business in through the door quickly, what can do you?

Well, I strongly urge you to do what the old posters suggested in World War II – keep calm and carry on.

You must let go of how desperate you feel and how much you need to get new business in through the door quickly – I know, easier said than done. It’s only when you do that you will start attracting business back to you.

So, how do you do this?

Here are my top 5 things to do when you’re feeling this way. They’ve all helped me on many an occasion:

1. Write a diary.

As a business owner, we’re incredibly good at focusing on the negative and forgetting about anything positive that happens to us. Start writing a daily diary of what’s happened – both positive and negative – and you will start to see a more balanced picture of what’s going on. Writing a diary has helped keep my mood much more stable and when I’m feeling a bit down, I can look back at all of our successes.

2. Keep track of your successes

Along similar lines, it’s really important to keep track of your successes. Print off any emails that give you raving reviews; write down any positive comments you receive and when you’re feeling low, look back over them. I didn’t do this for a long time as it just wasn’t me. And now I have started this, I wouldn’t be without it.

3. Read inspirational books and listen to audio recordings

There’s nothing that takes me out of myself more than to read an inspirational book or listen to audio recordings. For one, it stops me concentrating on myself and how I feel and I’ve also picked up tons and tons of ideas that I can do for the business by doing this. Next time you’re feeling down, have a look on I-Tunes, Solo-E.com or check out your local library.

4. Take action

Now this, for me is a biggie. When we get wrapped up in panicking about where the next bit of business is coming from, we tend to just sit there and think about things. I’m going to encourage to get out there and take action. Put a plan together and get on with it. The more action you take, the better you’ll feel.

5. Be around positive people

When you’re in this mind-set, being around negative people will make you feel worse. Talk to as many positive people as you can and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel. Get out there too – don’t wallow in your home or office. Go to a networking event or attend a course.

Remember, being desperate for business will really come across to potential customers, so you really need to get out of this mind-set as soon as you can. Try some of the suggestions I’ve given above and you’ll be surprised by how much better you feel and by how much business will be coming through the door.