Solopreneurship is not for the weak.
You pat your own back for a job well done. But you only have yourself to rely on as well when faced by challenges or failures.
Deciding to single-handedly run a business as a solopreneur is one brave step to take. Like any business, it entails a lot of hard work.
It’s not going to be the same as working with people and having someone to rely on or ask questions to. On the solopreneur road, most of the answers and solutions are for you to find.
It can get daunting and when it does, it becomes so easy to just give up. That’s why it’s all the more important to prioritize your well-being so when you’re faced with unfortunate events or failures (and they will come, so might as well prepare), you’ll be strong enough to face it head-on.
1. Stop the perfectionism.
We all have goals to achieve and that’s good! But there’s a lot of pressure when you’re running your business alone. You start putting in more hours at work and losing sleep. You become harder on yourself. When this happens, perfectionism becomes unhealthy. Don’t make yourself at greater risk of breaking down. Be kind to yourself.
2. Breakaway from routine
Well, it’s nice to have a routine. It gets things done. But you know what it is also? It’s boring. Have little breaks. Sit down for a while and have your favorite drink. Or take a walk, even a short one. Actually, it can even be going a few flights of stairs on the fire exit. Sing softly (or belt it out if you won’t be surprising anyone). Meditate on your seat. Do little things to recharge you.
3. Learn something new
It can be something that can help you with your business or just a potential new hobby. It can help you learn things faster and make you a better version of yourself.
4. Practice self-love
You know, the best kind of love is the love that you have for yourself. Find time to do things that are good for your soul. Running a business alone can get crazy, so find ways to make sure you’re in tiptop shape. Taking care of yourself can be as simple as getting at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep or eating healthy. It can also be having a much-needed massage or vacation. Solopreneurs need to rest and enjoy, too.
Related: What Solopreneurs Should Know to Sleep Soundly at Night
5. Quit multitasking
For quite a long time, multitasking seemed to be the way to go to get things done, but according to research, it’s actually making people less productive. Some studies show that multitasking makes you work less efficiently and can even slow down your brain. Instead, focus on a single task and remove distractions.
6. Find something to be grateful for
Say thank you to the barista who made the caffeine fix before you started work this morning or to the person who handed you your newspaper. Two simple words but often hardly said. You’ll find that it can make you feel good throughout the day.
7. Join a community
It’s easy to get through life or in this case, entrepreneurial challenges when you have people to share with. Find a mentor. Talk to friends who have a knack for business, too. You can even join online communities of entrepreneurs. Make it less lonely by connecting with like-minded people.
You’re are the lifeline of your business. It won’t run without you, so while you’ve decided to do the solopreneur journey, be mindful of your overall state so you’ll be able to perform at your best.
