Solopreneur Loneliness: It’s a Thing
Whether you recently set out on your own, or you’ve been managing your own business for a while, as a solopreneur, you know some things other people don’t know.
You know the freedom of setting your own schedule.
You know the excitement of seeing your ideas come to life — and be profitable!
But you unfortunately know solopreneur loneliness a little too well.
While you’re passionate about your business, without coworkers to interact with, work feels lonely. And that loneliness can manage to stall your progress.
In big ways.
Avoid loneliness burnout with these four tips to beat loneliness as a solopreneur.
Schedule a Social Life
The lure of managing their own hours draws many people away from corporate jobs and into their own solopreneur adventures.
But you know that once there, you realize that starting — and maintaining — your business is more than an 40-hour workweek. In fact, with you managing all aspects of your business, you could probably spend 24 hours a day at work — and still not be done!
It’s so tempting to give into the lure to work, work, work.
But not only will you burn out when you follow this model, you’ll find yourself entirely lonely.
Make sure you schedule social time into your life. Humans are social creatures. Drinks or dinner with friends will help you make the connections you need to thrive. Plus, time with friends and family will give your brain a break — and when you get back to work, you’ll be refreshed and prepared to enact your ideas.
Join an Association
Your industry likely has an association. Join it.
Being a part of an association in your industry will help you form connections with people who get it. It’s always nice to be understood. In fact, one study found that people’s happiness levels were boosted 9 percent with each group they were a part of.
At the time of this writing, the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet under control, and in-person events are put on hold for a while. But you can still participate in virtual conversations and events within your association. And when in-person events are safe to attend again, you’ll already know people who will be there.
Plus, when you participate in an association related to your industry, you’ll get ideas that will help your business!
Mentor Someone
If you’ve been in your industry long enough, you have experience to share. Find someone you can mentor as they learn the ropes of you industry. Not only is this a great way to give back, you’ll form a connected relationship with someone.
Work in a Coworking Space
Get outside of your home!
No matter how nice your home office is set up, it’s an isolated space. And while that may be the perfect environment sometimes, at other times, you need to get out of there. You need to be around other people and their buzzing productivity!
Coworking spaces are ideal for solopreneurs every day of the week, or even just a couple days each week.
People find they can be more productive in coworking spaces, where they feed off the productivity of those around them. We’re biologically programmed to mimic the emotions and moods of those around us. In fact, we’re so programmed that we mimic unconsciously. As a solopreneur, understand and use this unconscious tendency to your advantage. Put yourself in the right environment for productivity, and you will likely be more productive.
Feeling a creative slump? A coworking space can help with that too. Again, you’ll be in an environment where you’ll notice the creativity of others, which can spur your own creativity. But you’ll also be in an environment where you can talk to other people. You can form relationships in a coworking space, and find people you enjoy. Then, when you’re feeling stuck, there’s already a friendship in place. You can ask for advice from someone you trust. And you can help others solve problems, which will boost your own creativity for your own problems.
Getting out of your home office is also important, because you need to see what other people are doing. Being around people in other industries will open your eyes to solutions you could use in your own business. And, of course, forming relationships with people in other industries will not only help your business, it will help decrease your solopreneur loneliness levels.
Coworking Connection in Murrieta and Temecula is open! We’re carefully following Covid-19 safety protocols, and are here for you to enjoy the benefits of working outside your home. Give us a call at 1-800-762-1391. Our affordable options will expand your current possibilities and capabilities, giving you the room, creativity, and connection you need to run your business without feeling lonely.