It’s a BIG DAY! I never thought I would leave my management consulting career after 25 years. Never thought I would launch my own business. Never thought I would publish a book. I never thought I would find so much joy in helping people unlock their full potential. But I did. And because of all this and more, today is very special.
As I reflect on this past year, I realize that while I have learned so much about being a solopreneur and running my own business, there is still so much more to learn. I know this, though: it has been awesome and also been really hard- way harder than I thought it would be. But 100% worth it.
The lessons that I have learned over the past year are not just solo / entrepreneur lessons; they are life lessons. I am excited to share these lessons with you in hopes that you can embrace a few of them in your own life.
Rose Kennedy said, “Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.” So, today, I celebrate the moments and lessons that got me to my one-year mark.
Embrace Technology
I never considered myself a technologist. But as a “Solo”, I use technology way more than I used to: I am my own IT department, I leverage ALL the social media platforms, ChatGPT is a thought partner, and automations are my best friends.
When you are intimidated by technology, dive in and figure out how to make it work for you. And if all else fails, tap into kids for help!
Get Out of the Basement
Being a Solo can be lonely! There, I said it. The thing I miss most from my management consulting days is people. I miss my ideation team; I miss brainstorming (ChatGPT only gets you so far). In order to combat loneliness and break my own echo chamber, I need to get out of the basement.
Building and leveraging your network may seem intuitive, but it requires intentional, frequent action. The challenge for many is that as we get busier, we seem to have less time for our network—especially developing our weaker ties, or as Michael Melcher calls it, Your Invisible Network.
What I discovered is that my Invisible Network is not weak; it’s strong. When you reach out, share thought leadership, propose joint projects, attend conferences, meet people for coffee (virtual or IRL), and generally get out of your basement, you are strengthening your network and combatting the loneliness.
Refine Your Brand
Early last year, I was trying to be everything to everyone. My coaching services were like my own personal version of the Cheesecake Factory Menu. And no one could figure out what I offered or what I stood for.
So I scaled back, simplified, and refined my brand. Getting clear on your personal brand makes it easier for others to understand what you stand for and the value you bring.
It’s Going to Work! (It might just take longer than you thought)
Our expectations of how fast we’ll achieve our goals are often skewed…Mine were. We think we’ll get there faster than reality. BUT that doesn’t mean that the actions we are taking won’t ultimately get us where we want to go.
Be realistic in your goal setting. Control what you can control. Keep taking action that moves you forward. Learn from your failures. Celebrate your successes. Because IT’S GOING TO WORK!!!
Share Your Story
Everyone has a story to tell. Your story, my story. They are all unique, and they have value.
It is easy to think that everything has already been said before. But if you haven’t shared your story, your perspective, your thoughts, then it hasn’t been said before.
Raise your voice. Share your story because the world deserves to hear from you!
Rest
I pursued the role of Solo to have more control, flexibility, and impact on what I do. But as a solopreneur, everything is on you. It’s easy to fall into the habit of overworking—the To Do List is never done.
Always remember the power of rest—whether it is a five-minute walk, a ten-minute chat with a friend, meditation moments, a day of self-care, a weeks-long vacation, or an adult gap year—rest is restorative. It recharges your focus and your energy. Slow down to go fast.
Remember Your Why
I won’t lie; there are days when being a Solo is rough. Like in everything, you have to remember “why” you are doing this. How do your actions connect to your values and your “why”?
For me, it’s all about creating connections, sparking creativity, and helping my clients unlock their full potential. Remembering how we live into our purpose pushes us forward through the challenges.
Don’t Be Afraid to Flex
Sometimes, we get caught up in the idea of something, and it becomes impossible to step back and recalibrate — even when it is the right thing to do.
Flexibility is critical. Recognizing when you need to shift approaches and let go of your original plan so you can realize your goal is freeing!
Ready to take that next step and unlock your full potential?
Schedule a complimentary discovery call with me today and begin your journey.