New solopreneurs are attracted to the allure of working for and by yourself. But have you considered the obstacles ahead of you that can scare you and stop you from achieving this lifestyle you dream of? Even seasoned solopreneurs experienced these challenges. In today’s post, we’ll look into what these are and how you can overcome them.
1. Isolation
Day one can feel like freedom, but the weeks and months after that, not so much. You will miss the team huddles as you get stuck while brainstorming.
You will miss being able to leverage on other people towards the completion of a complex project. Now that you’re flying solo, you wonder how other solopreneurs have done it while staying sane.
Solution
Successful solopreneurs know they cannot succeed without a support group. They have learned to work with others including freelancers, other solopreneurs, and coaches.
We can help each other out by offering value through our products and services, giving referrals, and getting that much-needed third-party insight.
From co-working spaces to trade expos and Facebook groups, you can find that help is readily available if you can accept that a community is what you need.
2. Prioritization
Solopreneurs wear many hats and every job demands time and energy. All that work for one person can be draining and you’ll soon realize some of those hats don’t quite fit. You end up losing precious time on an ambitious endeavor when you should be focused on your expertise.
Solution
Delegate. You don’t have to do everything in your business and you shouldn’t because it’s a waste of time and resources. If you’re good at selling and bad at bookkeeping, then outsource.
Prioritize selling because that’s where you get the fuel to run your business. Pick one or two solid marketing strategies and rock at those. The rest you delegate to people who are better at it than you.
Read more: 8 Ways to Create More Free Time for Yourself
3. Lifestyle management
So you left the 9 to 5 rat race for a life of freedom. But you didn’t expect that lifestyle to turn into an endless cycle of workweeks with no room for holidays, family events, and even days off on your calendar.
Solution
Aim for a healthy lifestyle. Set your work hours. Prioritize quality moments with your loved ones. Give yourself a day off at least once a week.
Don’t let your physical health slide because your health is your greatest asset. Know that work will never end so you have to say when it ends. Give it a timeframe and stick to it.
4. Feeling disconnected
That feeling when you start to doubt your every decision and ultimately doubt if you’re still on the right path—that moment can feel devastating. But it happens.
You say yes to everything without considering if those projects and clients are in line with your values and vision. You compromise along the way.
Solution
Write down your mission and vision. Ask yourself if you are doing anything that is compromising your values and let those go.
Be in the habit of conducting self-assessments as often as once a week or every month. When you have a clear definition of what you want to achieve, you can spot what’s holding you back so you can avoid it.
5. Coping with failure
You know the competition is steep. You hear no again and again. Your plans don’t turn out as expected. You make a costly mistake and then naysayers and your inner critic ride on your failures to bring you down. You become insecure and that keeps you from setting high goals and turning your dreams into a reality.
Solution
Don’t make failure an excuse to turn back on your goals. Be ready to see the lessons in all the moments you make mistakes and losses. Listen to feedback so you will improve. But learn to tame your inner critic and the naysayers by not giving up.
Read more: How to Overcome the Fear of Failure in Solopreneurship
Over to you
Solopreneurs need to be self-reliant in dealing with failure, demotivation, disconnect, time management, and lifestyle management. All those are within one’s control.
But not everything should be held in your control. You will need to learn to delegate and find a support group you can lean on and leverage when you need help. But you should also learn to give back with the same support and value they give you.
Solopreneurs are not left alone to navigate the waters of business. With the help of mentors and those who have gone before you, you can overcome those obstacles and achieve the success that’s meant for you.
