By James Park

We have all had those days when nothing goes right, and you end up asking yourself, "Why did I ever get myself into this?" You may have even gone as far as considering quitting what you started. Well, it's time to put those doubts away and truly reflect on what keeps you motivated to be an entrepreneur. "No one ever said being an entrepreneur is easy," says Erin St. Onge-Carpenter, 29. "It takes a lot of hard work, motivation, drive and guts, but the rewards are immeasurable." In 2005, she and her husband, James Carpenter, founded Rapid Removal, a professional debris removal company in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, because they were attracted to the idea of working for themselves. "Waking up every day knowing we are in control of our own destiny is a huge motivator," says St. Onge-Carpenter, who projects 2006 sales of $250,000.

JCI member Catherine Fogarty says a successful entrepreneur is one who knows his or her own strengths and weaknesses. In 2003, Fogarty started Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Speed Dating Atlantic, a speed dating company. "I'm only discouraged when I hear people say, 'I can't do it,' " she says. "If I am not able to turn that around, then I have not challenged them or myself enough." She advises others to surround themselves with people who inspire them. "My clients and crew keep me motivated," she says.

John Baldoni, a consultant and author of Great Motivation Secrets of Great Leaders, agrees. "Focus on examples of your heroes," he says. "Choose heroes who model behaviors and virtues you admire."

Robert Maffei looks within his company for examples of heroes. The founder of Maffei Landscape Contractors in Mashpee, Massachusetts, who projects 2006 revenue of $7 million for his 15-year-old business, has found his employees to be inspiring role models.

"We have had people who started with rakes and shovels who are now in management positions and have made significant improvements in their pay and responsibilities," says Maffei, 32.

Monyka Berrocosa, 36, started Grape Ventures, a $110,000 food and wine consulting business, in 2000. After years of working in the wholesale food and retail wine industries, Berrocosa realized what she loved most about her job was helping others with their businesses. "I love what I do, and I like to strive to be the best at it," Berrocosa says. She recommends that you motivate your-self by figuring out what you really love. "When you focus on what your passion is, it's infectious and gives you an edge," she says.

"True motivation is not something that can be stirred up from the outside in," says Allyson Lewis, a motivational speaker and author of The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps to Big Changes. "Entrepreneurs are in business because of something that is inside them."

That's what made Beth Shaw, 38, leave her six-figure job to start YogaFit in 1994. She turned her passion for yoga into a $4 million business. Although her love of yoga is what got her started, her company's potential is what keeps her going. "To continue growing and improving the company motivates me," Shaw says. "It's so exciting to have a vision and then make it real."

Public relations executive Melissa Gillespie's vision to start her own PR firm, Innova Communications Co., in 2001 came after deciding she wanted a career that would let her work from home and be with her family. "I know it sounds cliché, but I truly enjoy what I do and how I do it," says Gillespie, 33. "Can you make a fortune grinding away at a job you loathe? The way to an abundant lifestyle is doing what you love, or at least loving the way you're doing it."

James Park is a writer for Entrepreneur magazine.