Have you ever fallen behind in you work or business? Have you felt like “I’m too far behind and I should just give up”? ME TOO! I have been like that the last few weeks. Since my father passed away in Nov 2024 life has changed drastically. My work contract finished early and unexpectedly a week after dad’s death.
I had to sort out dad’s finances, property and his possessions with my sisters. This has been emotional and difficult to do and look for a new job. So, mum and dad have both left us, I have no work, business is a struggle at the moment and therefore I have not been blogging or creating tikTokok videos consistently.
I feel rubbish and like a failure. I wanted to look at the impact of this to me and to my business by not being there consistently as I should be, hence this blog. I am being vulnerable here and hope it brings you some value and me the inspiration to carry on. Life happens and always will, we MUST carry on. What would my parents have said to me? Exactly!
If you’re trying to build an online business, you’ve probably been here before: things fall behind, engagement drops, and setbacks pile up. Right now, I’m in one of those rough patches.
• I haven’t worked on my business in two weeks.
• I didn’t write a blog last week.
• I haven’t made a TikTok video for affiliate marketing in weeks.
• My Facebook lead ad has been disabled.
That’s a lot of things going wrong at the same time. It’s tempting to think, Maybe I should just give up? But I won’t, and neither should you.
This post is about breaking down what each of these problems means, the impact they have, and—most importantly—how to fix them. If you’re in a similar situation, I hope this helps you get back on track.
1. Not Working on My Business for Two Weeks
What It Means & The Impact
Life gets in the way. Whether it’s family, job hunting, or just feeling burned out, stepping away for two weeks can feel like a death sentence for momentum. In reality, though, two weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of business. However, there are real consequences:
• Lost momentum – Business is like a flywheel; once it stops, it takes effort to get it moving again.
• Falling behind competitors – While you paused, others kept going.
• Self-doubt creeps in – It’s easy to feel like you’ve failed when you stop for a while.
How to Fix It
• Forgive yourself. Missing two weeks doesn’t mean the end. Acknowledge it and move forward.
• Restart with a simple action. Instead of thinking, I have to catch up on everything, just start with one task today. Maybe write an outline for a blog or plan your next video.
• Use a 5-minute rule. Tell yourself you’ll work for just 5 minutes. That often turns into 30 minutes or more.
• Prioritise. Instead of overwhelming yourself, list the 3 most impactful tasks and focus only on them.
2. Not Writing a Blog Last Week
What It Means & The Impact
• Breaks consistency. Readers (and search engines) expect regular updates. Skipping a week can slow traffic.
• Missed opportunity. Each blog post is a chance to engage your audience, share your journey, and promote affiliate products.
• Guilt & procrastination. The longer you wait to post, the harder it gets to restart.
How to Fix It
• Write a quick “catch-up” blog. Even if it’s just 500 words about why you’ve been away, it’s better than nothing.
• Batch content. Write two posts this week—one for now and one scheduled for next week.
• Use AI for help. If you’re struggling with time, use AI tools to generate an outline or help draft content faster.
• Repurpose old content. Update an old post with fresh insights instead of starting from scratch.
3. Not Making TikTok Videos for Affiliate Marketing in Weeks
What It Means & The Impact
• Algorithm punishment. TikTok rewards consistency. Stopping means lower reach when you come back.
• Loss of audience engagement. People forget you fast if you’re not posting.
• Missed sales. No content = no clicks = no commissions.
How to Fix It
• Start small. Make one quick video today—even a 10-second “I’m back” update.
• Repurpose content. Cut clips from old videos and repost them.
• Use a content calendar. Plan 3 videos per week instead of daily to ease back in.
• Go live. TikTok Lives get better engagement and can quickly revive your account.
4. Facebook Lead Ad Disabled
What It Means & The Impact
• Lost potential leads. If Facebook disabled the ad, you’re no longer collecting email subscribers.
• Possible policy violation. Facebook ads have strict rules, and even minor issues can trigger a ban.
• Can feel discouraging. Running ads is expensive and losing an ad feels like wasted money.
How to Fix It
• Check Facebook’s policy. Look for an email from Facebook explaining why the ad was disabled.
• Appeal if possible. Sometimes ads get wrongly flagged. Submit a request to review it.
• Test a new ad. Create a fresh ad with a different image, wording, or targeting to see if it gets approved.
• Diversify lead generation. Start using TikTok, blog posts, and YouTube Shorts to drive leads instead of relying only on Facebook ads.
UPDATE: I found out why my Facebook lead was disabled. I’ve allocated £5 per day for my lead ad however I didn’t realise that Facebook take payment in larger batches and there wasn’t enough in the account to cover the last payment. I added the money, and now the ad is up and running again. It’s a bit slow, but it’s going need time to get going again. At least that’s one issue out of the way.
Should I Give Up?
Absolutely not. Every entrepreneur, content creator, and marketer has periods of struggle. The key is not to dwell on what went wrong but to take action—however small—to course correct.
How to Bounce Back Quickly
1. Accept setbacks as part of the journey. Everyone falls behind sometimes.
2. Start with one task today. Don’t try to fix everything at once. Just post one piece of content.
3. Refocus on your goals. Why did you start this business? Remind yourself of your purpose.
4. Use momentum to your advantage. Once you start again, keep going!
Final Encouragement
I know how frustrating it feels to fall behind. But progress isn’t about never slipping—it’s about getting back up every time you do. If you’re struggling with your business right now, just take one step today. One blog, one video, one action. You’ve got this!
What’s one thing you’ll do today to get back on track? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time, take care.
Atif
P.S. If this post resonated with you, know that you’re not alone. Building an online business is tough, and setbacks are part of the journey. The key is getting back up—one small step at a time. If you’d like ongoing insights, practical tips, and real talk about the ups and downs of this journey, sign up for my free email newsletter. You’ll get my latest updates, strategies, and behind-the-scenes lessons straight to your inbox. Let’s navigate this together! Join here.
I am in somewhat of a tailspin, myself. But am almost ready to open my membership. I’ve stopped doing YT videos everyday, but do them 3-4 times a week, instead. I’ve picked up doing emails-3 times a week. And I’ve kept up with the blog. I have an A-HA that many of my blog posts can be used in the membership!
I think the real problem is we don’t give ourselves enough credit. I don’t celebrate my wins, enough. That is changing, as of NOW!!
Kate, I love this mindset shift! Recognising the wins—big or small—is so important, and it sounds like you’re making incredible progress. Adjusting your content strategy while staying consistent with your blog and emails is a huge achievement. And that A-HA moment about repurposing blog posts for your membership? Brilliant!
You’re absolutely right—we don’t give ourselves enough credit. So here’s to celebrating every step forward! Wishing you all the success with your membership launch—you’ve got this! Atif
Hi Atif – I have been following your attorney for a very long time, and I know that you have taken a lot of hits to not only your personal life but your professional and work life as well. The one thing that I’ve discovered about you from my observations, is that you are resilient, and you have a great characteristic to bounce back. You are proving this as is seen in this blog post. What I like most about this blog post is the problems are not only identified but there is a ‘How To Fix It” section after each issue This is gold! Thanks for continuing to share your journey and for being transparent. This is not only an encouragement for most of us but motivation as well!
Hi Ernie,
Wow—thank you for such a thoughtful and encouraging comment! It truly means a lot to know that you’ve been following my journey and recognising the resilience behind it. Life has definitely thrown its fair share of challenges, but I’ve come to realise that setbacks are just stepping stones if we keep pushing forward.
I’m so glad you found value in the way I structured the post. My goal is always to share not just the struggles, but practical ways to work through them. If this post has encouraged or motivated you in any way, then it was absolutely worth writing.
Thanks again for your support—it really keeps me going! Wishing you all the best on your own journey as well.
Atif
This post is so real and relatable. Life throws curveballs, and sometimes it feels like everything is working against us. But you’re right, two weeks (or even more) off doesn’t mean failure—it just means you’re human.
You’re doing amazing just by showing up and being honest. Keep going—you’ve got this!
Sarah, Thank you so much! Life definitely has a way of testing us, but I’m learning that setbacks don’t mean the journey is over—they’re just part of the process. Your encouragement means a lot, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to share this.
I’ll keep going, one step at a time. Thanks for the support—it really makes a difference!
Atif
Hi Atif,
Atif, I really appreciate your honesty in this post. Losing a parent is life-changing, and having to deal with so much at once—grief, job loss, business struggles—it’s a lot for anyone. It makes complete sense that your business took a backseat. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it just means you’re human.
What stands out most is your willingness to be vulnerable and reflect on how to move forward. It takes strength to acknowledge setbacks and even more to share them openly. The way you’ve broken things down into steps to regain momentum is a great reminder that progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence.
You’re not alone in this, and you’re already proving that you have the resilience to push through. Keep taking it one step at a time. You’ve got this!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. Your message truly means a lot to me. You’re right—losing a parent changes everything, and navigating grief while trying to keep life and work on track has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced.
It’s easy to feel like I’m falling behind, but reminders like yours help me see that progress isn’t about never stumbling—it’s about getting back up. I appreciate you recognising the effort it takes to be open about these struggles. If my journey resonates with even one person who’s facing similar challenges, then sharing it is worth it.
Your support and encouragement mean the world. Thank you for taking the time to leave this message. It truly lifted my spirits.
Atif
This post really hit home. First off, I just want to say—I’m so sorry for your loss. Grief and major life changes can shake everything, and it’s completely understandable to feel like you’re falling behind. But the way you’re breaking down each setback and turning it into an actionable plan? That’s powerful. It’s a reminder that success isn’t about never struggling—it’s about finding ways to keep moving forward, even when it’s hard. Thanks for the honesty and the practical steps—I needed this today! Sending you strength and wishing you momentum as you get back on track. 💪🚀
Alison, Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement—it truly means a lot. Grief has a way of turning everything upside down, and it’s been a tough road trying to find my footing again. But messages like yours are a beautiful reminder that I’m not alone on this path. I’m really glad the post connected with you and offered something useful. We all have those moments where progress feels impossible, but like you said—it’s about finding a way to keep going, even if it’s just one small step at a time. Wishing you strength and momentum too—and thank you again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment.