Even if you are someone who enjoys their own company over time it can be difficult to maintain your motivation and momentum. Recognising this and taking action means you can get out of the dip and back on track.
It’s lonely at the top
- We’ve all heard that
expression but it’s not just a CEO that can feel lonely whether you are the
owner of a micro business with remote employees or the founder of a company of
one, feeling lonely often crops up in my coaching sessions.
Yet loneliness is a complex feeling, after all most of us have
other people in our lives, partners, family and friends (even a pet) and if we scratch the
surface the underlying feeling, they are experiencing is isolation.
Isolation is that feeling you are cut off from your peers,
others who understand and are going through the same experiences as you.
Even if you are someone who enjoys their own company over time it can be difficult to maintain your own motivation, recognising this and taking action means you can get out of the dip and back on track.
Here are 4 surefire strategies to avoid isolation
Community
Networking is a valuable activity for business development
but can also provide you with a much-needed community. Whilst it can be
tempting to be a social butterfly and visit lots of different groups, aiming to
meet as many people as possible actually becoming a member of one or two groups
and meeting regularly offer a chance to actually make some friends who are in
the same situation as you.
Also look out for networking groups that are a part of the wider
local community such as your local Chamber of Commerce or organised by a charity – their remit is beyond
each business with a common goal of supporting and developing the local area –
giving you a chance to be involved in the area you live and developing a real
sense of ‘belonging’
Co-Working ( I mean really co-working)
There are lots of options around for co working spaces and
yes it’s nice to get out and be around other people for a ‘kettle boiling’ chat
– what I really mean is co working – collaborating on a project or idea this
could be developing something new for customers or how about creating your own
‘mastermind group’ where a group of you hold a monthly call and spend 90
minutes talking about current challenges and sharing issues and experiences.
Customers
Developments in technology and communication mean that we could
easily work with our customers without seeing or even speaking to them. Try
picking up the phone, check in how your project or work is going – extend the
conversation find out how things are in their business.
Why not arrange a visit? - face to face meetings are far more effective in developing an maintaining those customer relationships.
Coaching
Working with a business coach has a wide range of benefits,
the most often reported ones being increased growth, profit and accountability to
getting things done. However, having someone to pick you up, support you and be
a cheer leader is also a valuable part of the coaching relationship.
With a coach you have a supportive confidential relationship that builds real trust which goes deeper than informal network/friend
relationships. After all the focus of the relationship is your success.
Finally, ditch the 9 - 5 guilt
Don’t get sucked into thinking you need to be at your desk
for a ‘standard’ working day – use your time effectively, set goals for what
you need to achieve and then get out and do something else – work will still be
there when you get back and you will be ready for it!
Janet Doran
, works as a Strategic Business Coach across North Yorkshire, UK. enabling small business owners to win in competitive markets.
Please get in touch to book your discovery call by email janet@thepositivepen.co.uk
or call on 07505 120051
You can follow her on twitter thepositivepen
for daily insights & inspiration for small business owners
