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As someone who started and is running your business single-handedly – you know that being a solopreneur has many benefits. These include doing something you are passionate about, having more freedom and control over your business, the ability to work from home, and increased creativity. However, some drawbacks include working longer hours, increased risks, feeling uncomfortable, and not having anyone to share ideas with. This blog post will go over five tips for surviving as a solo entrepreneur.
Table of Contents
What is the solopreneur meaning?
First used in 1992 to describe a solo entrepreneur, according to the Merriam-webster dictionary, a solopreneur organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise without the help of a partner.
Five tips for surviving as a solopreneur:
- Keep your eye on the prize: stay focused on your goals and don’t get distracted by shiny objects.
- Build a strong support network: find other entrepreneurs or business professionals to bounce ideas off, collaborate with, and learn from.
- Get organized and stay on top of things: put systems in place to help you manage your business, clients, and finances effectively.
- Take time for yourself: make sure you’re taking care of yourself both mentally and physically, and make time for leisure activities and relaxation.
- Celebrate your successes: when things are going well, take a moment to celebrate and enjoy your accomplishments!
1. Keep your eye on the prize
When starting your own business, it’s essential to stay focused on your goals and not get distracted by things that are not important. This means keeping your eye on the prize and staying on track. There will be times when things get tough, and you’ll be tempted to give up, but if you stay focused on your goals, you’ll be more likely to succeed.
Also, it’s worth noting that working at home comes with 100x more distractions than in a typical office space. The last thing you need to do is let one email, phone call, or text message get you off routine and derail your entire day.
Creating operating hours and a set work environment will allow you to stay focused. Keep your personal to-do-list for after working hours.
For help with goal setting in your business, read the article “How To Create A Yearly Review To Achieve Your Small Business Goals.”
2. Build a strong support network
First, having a support network can help you stay motivated and inspired. When you have people who understand what you’re going through and can offer encouragement, it’s easier to keep going when things get tough.
Second, a support network can help you grow your business. By collaborating with other entrepreneurs or business professionals, you can learn new skills and gain valuable insights into running a successful business.
Finally, having a support network can help you manage your business more effectively. When you have people to turn to for advice and guidance, it’s easier to stay on track and achieve your goals.
My suggestion is to keep this support circle small. While it’s great to bounce ideas off a larger group or attend conferences, you should also have an intimate handful of mentors to use for critical business advice. They can help you problem-solve and keep your long-term strategy in place.
I know what it’s like to always feel like you’re falling behind with everything on your plate as a solopreneur. That’s why Jenny Taylor and myself founded The Social Note. an all-in-one content creation tool tailored to women in direct sales, coaching, and other creative industries. – visit jointhesocialnote.com.
3. Get organized and stay on top of things
Putting systems in place to help you manage your business, clients, and finances effectively can be a lifesaver. This is something I luckily learned pretty early on. Investing in ways to streamline every aspect of my business allows me to be more productive.
This includes creating a to-do list, using a CRM (customer relationship management) system to track client information, and setting up a budget and financial plan. When you have a system in place, it’s easier to stay organized and on top of things.
Some of the business tools I use include Trello for content planning, MailerLite for email marketing, and Quickbooks for financial tracking.
4. Take time for yourself
It’s also important to take time for yourself when you’re running your own business. I will go out on a limb and say that every solopreneur is missing the mark in this area.
But you need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself both mentally and physically and make time for leisure activities and relaxation. When you’re well-rested and relaxed, it’s easier to manage your business effectively.
There are many ways to take time for yourself when you’re a solopreneur.
Some ways to do this include:
- taking a break for lunch,
- going for a walk,
- taking a yoga class,
- or reading a book.
When you’re well-rested and relaxed, it’s easier to manage your business effectively and stay motivated.
5. Celebrate your successes
Finally, celebrate your successes! When things are going well, take a moment to celebrate and enjoy your accomplishments. This celebration can help you stay motivated and inspired to continue growing your business.
When you celebrate your successes, you’ll feel more motivated and inspired to continue working hard and growing your business.
Additionally, celebrating your successes can help you stay focused on your goals and avoid getting distracted by things that are not important.
Finally, enjoying your accomplishments can help you feel happy and fulfilled, which is vital for maintaining your mental health as a solopreneur.
“If there’s one thing humans desire more than comfort, it’s self-confidence.” (source)
By remaining focused on your strengths, you can overcome any questions concerning your own worth and potential.
Recap: Solo entrepreneurship
Based on my 20+ years of experience in this role, you’ll be better equipped to survive and thrive as a solopreneur by following these five tips.
The key to surviving as a solopreneur is focusing on your goals and staying on track, building strong support networks, getting organized and staying on top of things, taking time for yourself both mentally and physically (yes! you can take a few days off!) -and finally celebrating your successes!
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and sustainable solopreneurship journey.
What advice would you add? Let me know in the comments below!
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
- Build a Continuous Flow of New Clients Using This Simple Profit Pipeline™ – HERE!
- Turn Your Chaos Into Clarity in Just 90 Minutes with this One Call – HERE!
- Obtain the Support System You Need Inside Our Coaching Group – HERE!
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