People always say to just. keep. going. OK, but how?
It seems that a lot of people are hitting the wall in their solopreneur journey. If you're among them, here's how to regroup and recharge to keep going.
I’ve always admired runners, I guess because I could never build up the physical endurance to do more than a few miles of breathless lumbering along a sidewalk or trail.
Friends and family inspire me with their casual, “Oh, I did an easy 5 miles this morning.”
Then there are the individuals who are ultramarathoners. They challenge themselves by running distances longer than the 26.2 miles of a marathon.
Years ago, my older brother Chris ran the Western States 100, a 100.2-mile endurance run that takes place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains each June in California. It covers very rugged terrain and begins at dawn. The goal is to finish in under 30 hours. Chris finished in 28:38, and recent winners have completed it in an astonishing 15 hours.
Here’s a photo of Chris in the race. It was one of about 40 ultramarathons he’s completed.
Now, me? The long-distance endurance race I’ve run is being a solopreneur for many years.
Are you hitting the wall?
Lately, I’ve seen a flood of emails from folks who are hitting the wall in their working solo journey. So I thought it would be good to step back a bit and explore what’s kept me going all these years. I hope these ideas help if you’re going through a challenging time.
1. Be self-aware.
This is top of the list because it can impact you most. Pay attention to your moods, your energy level, and your mental resiliency.
Your self-knowledge of how you work best and what you need is an essential element for your success.
2. Connect with other solopreneurs.
You may be working solo, but don’t try it alone. Connections with other solopreneurs on the journey can give you a reality check, advice, and camaraderie. Plus, it’s never been easier to find other solopreneurs through online courses and communities.
3. Pay attention to market conditions.
If you’re a solopreneur for the long term, you’ll see swings in the economy and shifts in demand. Something may be hot one year and quickly fade the next. Stay attuned to these changes, and anticipate where your offerings or marketing may need to change to stay current.
4. Practice self-care.
When you’re working solo, the main asset of your company is you. This means that one of the best investments you can make in your business is to take care of yourself. Start with the holy trinity of food, sleep, and exercise. This isn’t a sprint.
5. Always keep learning.
Successful long-term solopreneurs don’t tread water. Try to learn something—however big or small—every day. Learning compounds. An ever-expanding knowledge base and skill set keep you engaged and also position you as a leader in your field.
6. Run your own race.
While you may be driven to compete, the true contest is with yourself.
Long-haul solopreneurship is mastery over the inner elements, especially self-talk.
The race is not to beat specific others, it’s to become the best version of yourself. (And yes, this is ultimately more difficult than competing on external terms.)
7. Take time away.
Over the course of my decades of solopreneurship, I have stepped away from full-time self-employment when interesting job offers came my way. The jobs expanded my experience and enabled me to lead teams, which I enjoyed very much.
These positions also taught me how much I am wired to be working solo! Even with full-time employment, I kept a sideline solo business going on a modest scale.
Don’t be afraid to walk away, for a few months or even years. When you return, you’ll have fresh ideas and broader skills to bring to your business.
Think marathon, not sprint
My brother Chris explains that when he ran the Western States 100, he monitored his heart rate so as not to go out too quickly. “In the first 50 miles, I was in the back of the pack. During the remaining 50 miles, I passed a lot of runners who had burned out. Pacing was the key,” he says.
The long-term solopreneur race is a mental one. Keep a dual focus—both on what’s right ahead, as well as for the months and years down the road.
“One of the mottos of ultramarathoners,” Chris says, “is ‘It’s mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.’”
Sounds like a good mantra for long-term solopreneurs as well.
Whether this is your first issue, or you’ve been with us for a while, thanks for being a reader.
Here’s to your long-term solo success. See you next week.
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Hey Terri - # 6 was my favorite from this list, and I especially appreciate the aside that competing with yourself is harder than pitting yourself against outer metrics. I don't know if you know who Russel Brunson is, but he founded the digital marketing platform Clickfunnels. In any case, he tells a story about growing and his dad hiring him to clean the family car. When he felt done he told his dad that he was finished, and his dad asked him if he was proud of the job he did. After reflection Russel went back and worked on the cleaning until he'd hit that inner mark of knowing he'd stretched to his best. That's when he was actually done.