Most solopreneurs spend their days and nights working for themselves and by themselves. We toil over our long to-do- lists, slave away at the many tasks staring us down and often coil up in silence and frustration when we have to figure it all out alone.
Some of us have become accustomed to thinking there’s something wrong with needing, asking for, paying for support in managing our lives and businesses. It’s as if hiring a virtual assistant or a chef or working with a coach were an admission that we’re not smart or good enough to handle whatever’s going on ourselves.
Yes, even when we’re pulling in six-figures and beyond a year as a solopreneur, it can be a rough and lonely life. No matter how successful we’ve become at some point we all reach a level we just can’t surpass alone.
Seriously, who signed up for this? None of us, I’m sure. Yet, most of us ask for help way to late, if we do at all, and then we wonder why our plans have not been met with success and celebration.
It took me way too long to realize that the wealthy entrepreneurs definitely did not do everything themselves. Being really good at a lot of things and never relying on anyone was not the key to their success. Rather, it was that they invested in themselves fully, sought expert support, hired A-players to work for them and strategically partnered with others to grow even bigger.
No matter what business you’re in, if you want to be successful in this world, you have to leverage the power of the people around you. You have everything to gain from sharing the wealth in your business. So, if you’re ready to join me in making connection, support and collaboration top priorities, here are three ways that working with people can help us achieve our goals and enrich our lives.
Team and Support
Plenty of times, I have thought, “I can do this. I don’t need to hire someone. I can figure it out myself.” Sound familiar? And in the aftermath, I’ve seen how failing to invest in the right person, in the right rolls and in a team that is much more talented, in areas that I am not, has sent me down the road to failure. It’s resulted in more frustration, lack of money, and lack of happiness and success.
Hiring the right A-players is more than just about bringing in the support that you need. It’s about allowing other people to perform at their strengths, and it gives you the time and freedom to access your own energy so you can focus on your zone of genius.
Be intentional with your hires and diligent in your hiring process. You should know exactly what responsibilities and tasks your new hire will be responsible for before drafting up the job post. And be sure to vet them thoroughly to make sure they are a good fit.
You don’t have to hire everyone all at once! This can be done in stages. Look at some key elements that need to be delegated now, and as you continue to grow you can bring in more people.
You might also need support at home. This might include asking your spouse or other family members to pick up additional tasks and household chores.
Maybe it’s about carving out more space in your home that allows you to focus and concentrate. Consider hiring a babysitter for your office hours, a house cleaner, or someone to prepare your meals.
Coaching and Mentoring
From day one, I’ve hired a coach and or a mentor. I have never professed that I could figure it out alone or develop the best strategy out of thin air. What I know to be true about myself is that I need accountability. I need to be able to set goals, monitor the process and have someone hold me responsible for achieving them.
I’ve always invested in high-quality mentorship, knowing that I could rely on someone else’s energy, structure, guidance, and help. Acquiring the support and service from someone who is much further down the path that you’re traveling on is so wise and can save you so much time, energy, and money. Consider all of the benefits of hiring a coach. Do your due diligence, find the right one, and make this vital investment in yourself, your business, and your dreams.
Collaboration and Community
For the solopreneurs and entrepreneurs, the world is truly our playground, and there is so much fun to be had, especially when you do it with others. When you can find ways to creatively collaborate with others, it saves you time, energy, and money. Consider what partnership with other talented people can mean to the growth and development of your business. Maybe for you, this is about joining a community of like-minded individuals who can help foster and support you. Think about it, how wonderful it is to have a good old-fashioned face-to-face meeting over coffee, a glass of wine, or even virtually online. You’ll find yourself making friends with people all over the world and in other countries who will bring a sense of vitality, creativity, and culture that you might not otherwise know about. One of the primary ways that I look to create community and collaboration is within my Speak. Serve. Soar Members Academy. I’ve partnered with some extremely talented experts who are delivering amazing content, resources, and information to a growing community that I have fostered over the last year. Inside our private online community, members are learning all aspects of growing their business by looking at creative ways to get seen, get heard, and get paid. So many people are telling me how important it is to band together with other like-minded individuals to bounce ideas off of one another, create accountability circles and help each other discover their own path to greatness. If you’re looking for a stellar community that is designed to help you get started and grow your business by leveraging the time, talent, and resources of other experts, you are welcome to join us at speakservesoar.com
You owe it to yourself to get the support you need, going it alone is a waste of time. Consider joining us inside speakservesoar.com for one of our virtual afternoon teas or Wine Down Wednesdays.
