A Message For Solopreneurs
Running a business by yourself can be daunting and finding balance between work and personal time can seem nearly impossible… But it’s crucial for YOU to prioritize your well-being and find time for yourself to avoid burnout and maintain your mental and physical health.
That’s why I’m giving you actionable tips to help you break free from the hustle and achieve a sustainable work-life balance (because despite what the nay sayers say— it’s possible.
You’re about to discover how to create an effective schedule, delegate and outsource tasks, set clear boundaries, and prioritize self-care. Ready to learn the benefits of taking regular breaks and utilizing productivity tools to streamline your work processes?
To help you pinpoint where you need to focus, I’ve included a super fun quiz designed to guide you towards your next level of success. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or just looking to improve your current routine, I’m offering you valuable insights and practical strategies to help you thrive as a solopreneur.
What is a Solopreneur?
A solopreneur is an entrepreneurial dynamo who single-handedly runs their own business. Unlike traditional entrepreneurs who often have teams to help them, solopreneurs wear all the hats—from CEO and marketing, to customer service and accountant extraordinaire. They’re the masters of multitasking, juggling a thousand responsibilities while keeping their vision alive and kicking… (or trying to.)
Driven by passion and a relentless desire to make their mark, solopreneurs thrive on creativity and innovation. They turn ideas into reality, often working from their cozy home office or favorite coffee shop, fueled by ambition and maybe a bit too much caffeine.
Now I’m going to share a little story and it may seem familiar…
The Adventures of Solopreneur Sam: Caught in the Cycle
Once upon a time in the bustling city of Los Angeles, there lived a passionate and determined business owner named Sam. Sam was a solopreneur, wearing every hat imaginable in their journey to building a thriving 7-figure business. From marketing and sales to customer service and accounting, Sam did it all!
Every morning, Sam would wake up at the crack of dawn, fueled by a triple espresso from the shop around the corner and an endless to-do list. The day would start with answering emails and social media messages, quickly followed by a whirlwind of tasks: planning the weeks marketing campaign, managing a Facebook group, creating content for social media, and juggling countless calls with potential clients.
Despite working tirelessly, Sam felt like they were caught in an endless cycle. Sales were stagnant, and every time Sam felt like they were about to break through, another hurdle popped up, dragging them back into the depths of busyness. The harder Sam worked, the more it seemed like progress was just out of reach.
Evenings were no better. Instead of relaxing or spending time with friends, Sam found themselves glued to the computer screen, often working late into the night. Personal time and self-care became distant memories as the business consumed every waking moment.
One night, as Sam was burning the midnight oil yet again, something peculiar happened. A mysterious figure appeared on their computer screen—a pixelated entrepreneur named Max, who seemed to have it all figured out (think: that little paperclip who knew it all and would pop-up in a word doc in the 90’s.)
"Sam," Max said with a knowing smile, "I see you're stuck in the cycle of 'doing it all' and going nowhere fast."
Sam, both startled and intrigued, asked, "How did you know? And who are you?"
"I'm Max, your digital business fairy," Max replied with a wink. "I've been watching you hustle and grind, but it's time to break free from this endless loop. You can't pour from an empty cup. It's time to prioritize yourself and your business strategy."
Max guided Sam through a series of steps to regain control and find balance. First, helping identify and delegate tasks that could be outsourced or automated. Next, Max emphasized the importance of setting realistic goals and creating a manageable schedule that included time for self-care and personal growth.
Sam learned to take breaks, exercise, and even indulge in hobbies that had long been forgotten. Slowly but surely, the business began to flourish. With a clear mind and a balanced life, Sam could focus on strategic tasks that propelled the business forward. Sales increased, and customers noticed the improved energy and enthusiasm Sam brought to their work.
Sounds to good to be true! am i right?!
If anything, Sam's journey serves as a reminder to all solo entrepreneurs: Don't get caught in the endless cycle of doing it all. Prioritize your well-being, delegate when you can, and watch your business soar.
But if you’re reading this and thinking, go f*ck yourself— because it’s NOT that easy… I totally feel you. It takes time to implement new habits and ways of doing things. You almost have to FORCE yourself to do these things, but it can be done and balance is achievable.
Here are 7 strategies
you can try as a business owner to find balance:
Create a schedule: Creating a schedule can help you prioritize your time more effectively. Schedule specific times for work, personal time, exercise, and relaxation. This will help you be more productive during work hours and avoid working outside of the designated work hours.
I personally use my google calendar AND a good ol’ paper planner. I input time blocks into my google calendar to work on certain projects and I schedule my walks or self-care time (with an alarm) to help hold me accountable. Every morning I basically mirror what I input into my calendar onto my paper planner, with checkboxes next to each thing— so I can check them off as I go.Delegate tasks: Identify tasks that can be delegated to other employees or contractors. This will free up some time to focus on other aspects of the business or personal time.
This is something that was hard for me, because I AM SO PARTICULAR. I like things done a certain a way, BUT I found way’s I could offload things without outsourcing my creativity. So, everything from e-mail marketing to blog posts and research, I’d delegate to a VA (virtual assistant.) How I kept my creativity? I would write my blog posts and my e-mails and provide the copy to my VA to format into drafts on my blog or Flodesk account. I’d also curate a list of topics I wanted more research on and I’d hand the list over for my VA to curate a doc of information for me to go through later. While this was back in 2018— TODAY, we have tools like ChatGPT that can essentially pick up the administrative tasks a VA would do.Set boundaries: Establishing boundaries is crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Set clear boundaries for work hours and avoid working during personal time.
I feel like setting boundaries is something that needs to be done IMMEDIATELY. When you first start out, you want to do everything and anything to get your name out there and generate more business… but what we don’t realize is the amount of people out there who will walk all over you and take advantage of your WILLINGNESS, are abundant. So, take it from me— ESTABLISH YOUR BOUNDARIES and don’t f*cking waiver.Take breaks: Taking regular breaks can help refresh your mind and prevent burnout. Encourage taking short breaks during the workday to stretch, take a walk or engage in a different activity.
This is where you want to use your calendar or even your alarm app to input your break times. You really don’t realize how important it is to take a 10 or 15 or even 30 minute break to eat or grab a coffee. DO IT!Outsource tasks: Outsourcing tasks that are not within your area of expertise or interest can free up your time and allow you to focus on core business activities.
It’s crucial. You’re not good at everything— You’re just not! Come to terms with it. Understand what you don’t like to do and what you don’t like to do and give it to those who are great at it.Prioritize self-care: We’re talking activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies. Engaging in activities that promote mental and physical health can help to manage stress and maintain your well-being.
I personally will schedule walks and go around the block a few times. I’ll also do face masks and watch a show (hello Real Housewives!)Utilize technology: Using technology can help you streamline your work processes and save time. Explore productivity tools, automation tools, and other applications that can help to automate tasks and increase efficiency.
If you’re an AI hater, you need to GET OVER IT and start learning platforms and how they can help you. I personally love ChatGPT and it can help you do almost everything.