Although I have a full-time job, recently I’ve started to identify with solopreneurs. Why? Well, for eight years, I’ve also been spearheading an annual Children’s Business Fair. And I’ve come to realize that being a solopreneur does not mean I work alone. Not at all.
Yes, being a solopreneur is about building a business. And often we are operating on our own. But we don’t work in isolation. Relationships are the fuel that keep every business moving forward. Whether it’s customers, vendors, suppliers, financial advisers or others in our world, we’re surrounded by all sorts of people who play an integral role in one way or another.
So, in this kind of environment, what does it take to excel? Here are some lessons I’ve learned…
What is a Solopreneur?
A solopreneur is a person who acts as both the owner and workforce of their business. Unlike an entrepreneur, a solopreneur works independently, without employees or colleagues to support them directly in their endeavors.
Solopreneurs are responsible for organizing, managing and assuming the risks of their enterprise. Although solopreneurs are generally self-sufficient, they may look for outside resources to grow their business successfully. This means they must pool and cultivate necessary external resources and leverage them when needed to successfully establish and grow their business.
Why Smart Habits Help
When growing a business as a solopreneur, good habits are everything. After all, you are the primary person that will make or break this venture, so why not ensure that you are as dependable as possible?
Keep in mind that habits play a huge role in everyone’s daily life. In fact, recent research concludes that habits drive more than 40% of our everyday behavior. If your habits aren’t beneficial, they can easily hold you back. On the other hand, by reinforcing useful habits, you can be much more productive, effective, and happy while advancing your business agenda.
4 Habits for Success as a Solopreneur
Often — as in my case — the solopreneur’s journey starts as a side gig. In other words, you may still have a full-time or part-time job. But you’ve decided to launch a business on the side because it satisfies other goals you may have. For example:
- It may involve a particular passion of yours (like my side hustle!),
- You may be hoping to generate extra income, or
- You’re aiming to eventually earn a full-time income from this venture, and you’re committed to a phased growth model.
Regardless, if you’re juggling dual professional agendas, you’re managing a lot. And when you’re managing a lot, you’re at risk of falling into bad habits that can lead to burnout. Even if you know what good habits look like, you might struggle to incorporate them into your daily work as a solopreneur.
Want some guidance on ways to develop strong personal and professional practices as a solopreneur? Here are my four favorite tips:
1. Build Strong Time Management Skills
Time management is one of the most essential entrepreneurial skills to have. Balancing your time and maintaining a productive schedule will keep you on top of immediate demands as well as long-term priorities.
As a solopreneur, no day is ever the same, whether or not you have other full or part-time job responsibilities. Plus, you still have a life outside of work. That’s why it’s important to create and maintain a reasonable schedule.
Of course, even the best-laid plans will be disrupted. You’ll never be able to anticipate the unknown. However, you can assume that unexpected events will occur. That’s why personal discipline and responsibility are essential.
So it’s wise to step back and think about how you tend to manage your attention and energy. Are you more productive in the morning, afternoon, or evening? Make sure to block the necessary time to accomplish whatever truly needs to happen that day. But also be realistic about what you can achieve on the following day, as well as in the weeks and months ahead.
Also, don’t forget to include breaks in your schedule, and be realistic about when they should happen and how long they should be. Prioritize your daily to-do list and focus first on the most urgent items. Each of us has only 24 hours in a day, so do what you can to make the most of how you allocate time across all your priorities.
Getting this right is an iterative process. It will take time and effort to find the right mix. But it’s worth the effort. That’s because the more you know about how to best manage your personal and professional time, the better your business will perform.
2. Try Habit Stacking
Why not make it even easier to build new habits for success by coupling them with existing habits? That’s what habit stacking is all about!
The term “habit stacking” came from author S. J. Scott as a method of pairing new habits with existing ones. When stacking habits, you don’t need to worry about a new habit not fitting in with the rest of your routine. Instead, consider compatible practices you already have in place that complement the new habit you want to develop. This is a faster and more seamless way to integrate it into your life.
Examples of habit stacking include:
- Decluttering your desk or office after a lunch break.
- Prioritizing daily tasks after checking email in the morning.
- Taking some time to meditate before your morning cup of coffee.
- Getting ready for a workout right after getting home from work.
The possibilities are endless. But as you can imagine, this method can help you adopt any new habit more easily.
3. Balance Work and Life Priorities
Don’t have much time in your schedule for yourself? Make it! Taking much-needed breathers is crucial to maintain the focus and energy you need to succeed professionally.
In the same way you block time for work, schedule time for yourself. When things get stressful, this will keep you from pulling your hair out or putting you at risk of burnout.
For instance, I like to take walks throughout the day. This helps me hit my daily physical activity targets and feel better. What’s more, it’s when most of my best ideas come to mind.
With so many priorities competing for your time, scheduling specific hours away from your phone, computer or email inbox can feel like an impossible dream. Regardless, this practice actually can help you tackle some of your biggest challenges.
If this is new to you, start small. Block out at least one brief break each day, so you can spend time clearing your mind and recharging. Or use that time to reach out to a friend or family member. It may not seem like much, but over time, you can intentionally build and nurture relationships with people who matter to you. And as you become comfortable with one break, you can add more.
None of us can thrive when we’re continually giving and striving, to the exclusion of everything else. It’s essential to make room for fulfillment that comes from maintaining important relationships and paying attention to our personal wellbeing. By giving yourself space to build a healthy relationship between your work and your personal life, you can bring your best self to all your endeavors.
4. Seek Help Where You Need It
Part of the allure of solopreneurship is the opportunity to be your own boss. But just because you take pride in working for yourself doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rely on assistance.
Be strategic here. Take stock of your workflows. Do you dread some aspects of your day-to-day responsibilities? That’s not unusual. Consider paying someone else to take it on.
We all have gaps in our skill set (let’s be honest). No matter how much you value independence, it’s vital to know when and where you can benefit from delegating responsibilities. Reach out to someone in your network who can fill those gaps. Or ask for referrals from someone who’s been in your shoes. A little bit of fellowship and task delegation might be just what you need to keep your solo endeavors on track.
As a Solopreneur, Which Habits Do You Choose?
Strong, healthy habits are everything when you’re running your own business. The best new habits will work hand-in-hand with others you’ve already built. They should also help you manage your day-to-day time wisely, while keeping you on a clear path to long-term success.
It’s worth taking the time to figure out what habits you want to develop and incorporate them into your daily routine. You may not get instant results. But eventually, you’ll see results that accelerate your progress and elevate your impact as a solopreneur. Keep moving forward!
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