Being a business owner can be lonely. Nearly 3/4 of people are now acknowledging it.
When I left the workplace and started on my own, I was faced with many challenges. Getting rid of my business partner was the first after he started embezzling.
Now with twice the workload and much less available finances, it had a huge impact on my mental, emotional and physical state. What I didn’t realise at the time was that loneliness would have the most negative impact.
I now see it with some of my clients who have embarked on a solo career after leaving corporate life. Whether it be out of choice or often through redundancy.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and there many things I wish I had known before I took the plunge to start my own business. There are five key things I wish I had known.
In this first part of a five-part series, I’ll cover loneliness, an often disregarded subject.
It can get lonely working for yourself.
Loneliness amongst business owners is well documented but rarely a priority over the other pressing matters of running a business. Working for yourself allows you precious little time to even focus on relationships.
The hardest thing I found was admitting it. This too I have noticed amongst a few of my clients. They are not fully aware or unwilling to acknowledge the psychological impact of working alone.
If you have worked with people day in and day out in your job, you get used to being around people and their surrounding sounds. You interact, build relationships, share ideas and even the general office noise is welcomed.
I’m an extrovert personality and need to feed off the energy of other people. Some people can work from home effectively. Many can’t. I struggled, became less productive and depressed, I craved the stimulation of being around people. What I did not know at the time, was that being lonely was a significant factor to my overall performance.
Five key things you can do
Being part of an online community
Joining an online community you can interact. This will provide some stimulation and connect you with other like-minded people to share ideas and form relationships. If LinkedIn is your preferred choice, then this new group has been created especially for small business owners in the UK.
Go to select networking events
There are plenty around. They provide live interaction and build business connections. I say select networking events because you have to choose wisely remembering your audience and peers. There’s nothing worse than being the only highly skilled consultant in a room of multi-level marketers.
Mastermind group
Mastermind groups can vary in quality and value. From my experience, they are most effective with between 6 to 8 people. My group has 8 people, who meet once a month for three hours and we’ve been successfully running for four years. When done the right way, it should be a group of peers who use a structured format to bounce ideas and definitely should not be peer-led. Two of our members have written a book on masterminding which is a great guide for how to run one properly.
Co WorkSpaces
These have been popping up all over the world offering affordable office space for businesses. For a monthly fee, you can hot desk or have an office with the use of their facilities. They are targeted to create a community environment and provide opportunities to connect with others.
Arrange face to face meeting.
Online communication has made it easier for us to be glued to our laptops. Arranging to meet clients or peers for a coffee will change your scenery and lead to more business opportunities with live interaction.
As a small business owner or one about to transition to one with concerns about your future prospects, you do not have to be alone.
If you are looking for some help on what appears uncertain times, you want to know what your options are, and are ready to control your own outcome, then please do connect with me here or on email at andy@andytcuming.com.
We can have a chat to connect and discover if we can be of service to each other.
Speak to you soon.
Andy
P.S. When it suits you, here are three ways I may be able to help you:
- Join the Small Business Owners UK Network
We have recently started a LinkedIn Group for small business owners where you can learn, share and connect. Join by clicking here. - Apply to join the Fast Track To Impact Case Study Group
I am putting together a new small business case study group in September 2019, by application only. Should you like to work with me on how to stand out and be recognised in your market space to attract more clients, sent me a message with the words Fast Track click here. - Attend a Clarity Session
If you would like to know where you stand right now and are looking to increase your monthly earnings, send me a message with the words
“Clarity Session” and I will get you all the details click here.
- How to Make Yourself Marketable as a Business Owner. - October 2, 2019
- Starting A New Business – Know your market landscape - September 24, 2019
- Starting a New Business – The Prepared Business Owner - August 22, 2019
