Typically we talk about entrepreneurs and how to start a company from the ground up, but this information often focuses on running a company with other people. What we often forget to talk about is what it’s like to be a solopreneur and the art of keeping your sanity as a solopreneur.
I’ve now used the term “solopreneur” a few times, but what does the term really mean? Urban dictionary defines a solopreneur as an entrepreneur who works alone, “solo,” running their business single-handedly.
Hello, that’s what I am! It’s nice to meet you.
While working for yourself is often glorified, there are aspects which can make it hard depending on your personality and what industry you’re in. Above all, it’s extremely important to keep your sanity and focus on listening to what you need as a person and as a business owner. Here are a few tips that work for me.
Get dressed
Just do it. Don’t roll out of bed and start working. Instead, get up, get ready for your day, and get dressed. Maybe you don’t wear a full suit or even slacks, but make sure that you do indeed have real clothes on. It changes your demeanor and studies have shown that it influences the way we think.
Get out of the house
If you’re someone who works from home, it’s key to get out of the house at least once a day. I try to hit a spin class, run errands during “lunch time,” or at the very least, take my dog for a walk. Sitting in front of a computer all day isn’t good for you regardless of the environment, but working from home makes it that much more difficult. Lack of scenery change can get old really fast.
I happen to work with people and am in a client facing role, so I don’t feel isolated, however if you’re someone without much interaction, getting out of the house to simply see and/or talk to people can make a huge difference in your sanity. Believe it or not, your pet is not the most ideal conversationalist.
Join a club, networking society, or group
There are some great networking events out there where you can connect with other like-minded individuals (i.e. Six Degrees Society). It can be really refreshing to meet people on the same page as you. Trust me, it’s like a breath of fresh air when you finally meet someone in the same boat, and you’re like “Wow, you get it!”
Being a solopreneur is great, but it can get hard when people either don’t get what you do or don’t relate to your day to day life. Meeting people who relate makes a big difference. It can help you establish industry connections, but also cultivate real friendships. There’s nothing like having someone to bounce ideas off of or tell you that you’re not going crazy.
Aside from industry events, think about starting a book club. It’s not something I saw myself doing, but joining a book club has been great for me! It holds me accountable and ensures that I read, and it gives me a fun monthly outing. As a solopreneur we often find ourselves completely immersed in work, so giving yourself a break from it to read a book and interact with friends is really important.
Remember that nothing is life altering
Regardless of how important it may seem, waiting an extra hour or day to send an email, not answering a pestering client after business hours, or getting a blog post up late isn’t the end of the world. I was listening to my favorite podcast the other day, and they talked a lot about this concept and how we make ourselves think that things are more important than they are.
They’re not. Yes, money makes the world go ‘round, and business is important, but at the end of the day, focus on what really matters: Friends, family, health, and happiness. If those things don’t come first in your life, I suggest reevaluating.
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Being a solopreneur is fun, it’s hard, and all totally worth it. That being said, keeping your sanity and remembering what is and is not important is key.
Do you have any tactics that help keep you sane? I want to know about them!