So true! I also 'expect' those low points and don't lament them as much any more. I know it'll pass and I'll be back to normal. I can get all too comfortable by myself so those low points can also be a reminder to connect with people, meet a friend for lunch or a simple phone call.
This article hit right as I was having one of those periods you are talking about. I woke up this morning all energized, dropped my daughter off at her bus, went for a beautiful run here in Rome, put together a big chunk of my newsletter that I am delivering tomorrow, and then I just crashed.
Like you, I spend a lot of time on my own and most of the time this is great. I mostly love doing my own thing. But on slow thinking days it can be really hard to stay out of my head.
It's a rollercoaster - but I'm happy to be in the front seat.
I really, really appreciate this!! I completely relate, and I have been surprised at how tough some of these low periods are. I will add though, that every job I ever had I was expected to work evenings, weekends and vacations (I was in K-12 and then higher education). My work life balance is much, much better now that I am working for myself.
As a solopreneur myself I can totally agree on these points. However, there are several strategies I have developed to not only stay in great mental shape, but to make these ritual behaviour beneficial to your business as well.
Boy do I resonate deeply with this. As I’m prepping for our family vacay a major part of my carry on luggage is tech/notebooks. I will still be working. I’m not complaining it’s just… hard. I’m still in the season of growth and working (so hard) to get to that place of “passive income” so I have to simply keep going since no one is here to do it for me. I also don’t want to miss this time with my boys so I have figured out some strategic times that won’t interfere with our fun together.
Anyway, thanks for a thoughtful piece that helps me know I’m def NOT alone. Looking forward to watching the replay from yesterday. ☺️🦋
Solopreneurship isn't for everyone. But everyone could benefit from it.
It's an incredible accelerator of self improvement. Maybe exactly because everything depends on you.
And it also allowed to do things other people can't do. Like visiting my wife twice a day while she was in the hospital waiting to giving birth. For 5 days!
What I found interesting here is that many of the things you talked about are the things I enjoy about being a solopreneur. And the other things you mention, like the whispers in your ear, are essentially what I go through when the Demon Depression hits. Perhaps there's a certain appeal in solopreneurship for people with Depression? I know there is for me.
I’ve been there quite a few times over the 18 months of being a solo/micropreneur. Doesn’t matter if it’s a one person or 100 person business. It’s still a business. And growing one is hard work!
But I wouldn’t change a thing or enjoy the equal and different challenges of a 9-5
“You will think about work while you’re on holiday, no matter how hard you try not to.” Ugh, so freaken true! I’m trying to work on this. It’s not only while I’m on holiday, it while I’m trying to go to sleep, brushing my teeth, cycling to my coworking office, reading a book… haha you get the picture. Thanks for sharing, David!
A lot of this resonated with me. I'm alone pretty much every day. Sometimes the only people I see are in the gym early in the morning. Freelance work pays the bills, and I do that from 9-5. I work on the things that don't pay the bills, my newsletter and eventual YouTube channel, after 5pm. I keep reminding myself it's marathon not a sprint, it takes time to turn yourself into a business.
It's definitely not a lifestyle that fits everyone, but I can't imagine a better lifestyle that fits me.
Couldn't have said it better
So true! I also 'expect' those low points and don't lament them as much any more. I know it'll pass and I'll be back to normal. I can get all too comfortable by myself so those low points can also be a reminder to connect with people, meet a friend for lunch or a simple phone call.
Hi David,
Thank you for sharing.
This article hit right as I was having one of those periods you are talking about. I woke up this morning all energized, dropped my daughter off at her bus, went for a beautiful run here in Rome, put together a big chunk of my newsletter that I am delivering tomorrow, and then I just crashed.
Like you, I spend a lot of time on my own and most of the time this is great. I mostly love doing my own thing. But on slow thinking days it can be really hard to stay out of my head.
It's a rollercoaster - but I'm happy to be in the front seat.
I really, really appreciate this!! I completely relate, and I have been surprised at how tough some of these low periods are. I will add though, that every job I ever had I was expected to work evenings, weekends and vacations (I was in K-12 and then higher education). My work life balance is much, much better now that I am working for myself.
As a solopreneur myself I can totally agree on these points. However, there are several strategies I have developed to not only stay in great mental shape, but to make these ritual behaviour beneficial to your business as well.
Boy do I resonate deeply with this. As I’m prepping for our family vacay a major part of my carry on luggage is tech/notebooks. I will still be working. I’m not complaining it’s just… hard. I’m still in the season of growth and working (so hard) to get to that place of “passive income” so I have to simply keep going since no one is here to do it for me. I also don’t want to miss this time with my boys so I have figured out some strategic times that won’t interfere with our fun together.
Anyway, thanks for a thoughtful piece that helps me know I’m def NOT alone. Looking forward to watching the replay from yesterday. ☺️🦋
Great post and I do share the same feelings that you describe.
It’s not easy and you have that feeling that you are constantly improving and building.
I’m just starting out and feel like I have a long way to go…
Wouldn’t be great to have a solopreneur community to talk to when things get tough?
Solopreneurship isn't for everyone. But everyone could benefit from it.
It's an incredible accelerator of self improvement. Maybe exactly because everything depends on you.
And it also allowed to do things other people can't do. Like visiting my wife twice a day while she was in the hospital waiting to giving birth. For 5 days!
What I found interesting here is that many of the things you talked about are the things I enjoy about being a solopreneur. And the other things you mention, like the whispers in your ear, are essentially what I go through when the Demon Depression hits. Perhaps there's a certain appeal in solopreneurship for people with Depression? I know there is for me.
The two phrases I repeat to myself most often:
1) "Why am I doing this?"
2) "Why didn't I do this sooner?"
I’ve been there quite a few times over the 18 months of being a solo/micropreneur. Doesn’t matter if it’s a one person or 100 person business. It’s still a business. And growing one is hard work!
But I wouldn’t change a thing or enjoy the equal and different challenges of a 9-5
Choose your hard
“You will think about work while you’re on holiday, no matter how hard you try not to.” Ugh, so freaken true! I’m trying to work on this. It’s not only while I’m on holiday, it while I’m trying to go to sleep, brushing my teeth, cycling to my coworking office, reading a book… haha you get the picture. Thanks for sharing, David!
A lot of this resonated with me. I'm alone pretty much every day. Sometimes the only people I see are in the gym early in the morning. Freelance work pays the bills, and I do that from 9-5. I work on the things that don't pay the bills, my newsletter and eventual YouTube channel, after 5pm. I keep reminding myself it's marathon not a sprint, it takes time to turn yourself into a business.