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Not all entrepreneurs have a team or wish to collaborate with others. Sometimes, working solo is the ideal situation, which is why solopreneurship continues to gain traction among those who wish to work independently and do things their way. Working alone, however, is not easy, and it may take time for your solo venture to become profitable. If you’re prepared to branch out on your own, arm yourself with useful tips that can help you find success as a solopreneur. 

You may need a side hustle 

Starting a business can come with financial challenges and can often take time before you turn a profit. Many solopreneurs find that they need a side hustle to take care of expenses while attempting to get their venture off the ground. There’s no shame in doing part-time food deliveries or online tutoring to get extra cash while you work on your dream of business ownership. 

Facing challenges head-on

While being the sole decision-maker can feel freeing, it can also lead to a higher fear of failure. If you don’t have others to help you when problems arise, you can get overwhelmed and face decision fatigue. Set yourself up for success by learning as much as possible about the business you wish to pursue before you take a financial risk. When you understand the problems you may face, you can better prepare for dealing with them when they happen.  

Solo doesn’t mean you can’t seek help

You may be a solopreneur, but that doesn’t mean you can’t seek help when you need it. You don’t have to hire employees to find knowledgeable people to help you. Consider working with independent contractors if you need to outsource work. They can help you with things like taxes, advertising, or other tasks that you aren’t as skilled in, and you won’t have the same responsibilities with contractors as you would with employees. 

If you’re independent-minded, the idea of solopreneurship may appeal to you. But working alone comes with challenges. You may need to find side work to help you pay expenses before your business becomes profitable. Overcome your fear of failure by arming yourself with knowledge and the foresight to plan for problems before they happen. Finally, don’t ignore the opportunity to work with contractors when you need expert help, as they can offer the assistance you need without the commitment associated with hiring employees. 

People who work a traditional 9-5 job may find it easy to disconnect from work once they clock out. Self-employed individuals, on the other hand, can struggle with that separation. If you’re self-employed, you may feel you should always be available to your clients, customers, or those you work closely with. However, not being able to step away from work and find a balance between work and your time outside of work can lead to burnout and can cause issues in your personal life. You can achieve a healthy balance between work and personal time by setting boundaries and sticking to them.

Boundaries are the key to balance

Setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries for yourself and those around you can promote a healthy work-life balance. You may not be able to clock out at the end of every day, but you can allow yourself to only deal with urgent issues during non-working hours. Non-emergencies can be dealt with the next time you’re on the clock. Ensure that your employees, clients, and customers are aware of your availability, and allow yourself to step away from communication when you’re off the clock. 

The benefits of a work-life balance

It’s good for your mental well-being to allow yourself to relax and focus on non-work-related things like hobbies, time with family, or even just doing nothing at all. Giving yourself permission to step away from work can help you do better at your job. When you take time away, you can return to your work responsibilities feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. Even the most work-focused people can find themselves benefitting from time spent away from anything related to work. 

Balancing work commitments with other parts of your life can be challenging when you’re self-employed. You may think you should be available 24/7 in case something needs your attention, but this attitude is not necessarily good for your mental well-being. By allowing yourself to completely check out from work on occasion, you can find a balance that gives you the freedom to enjoy life outside of work while still meeting your work obligations. 

So you’ve achieved the monumental goal that many writers strive for by completing your first book. That’s an amazing accomplishment that you should be proud of. However, as a writer, you likely want to be able to share your work with as many readers as possible, which means you need to get published. Getting someone to publish your book can be one of the most challenging parts of the book-writing process. While some authors choose to self-publish, this strategy isn’t ideal for everyone, especially if you want more exposure and you want to let someone else deal with the often tedious and time-consuming publishing process. The following information can help you get started on the road to publication. 

Finding a publisher

When searching for a publisher, don’t assume you must be accepted by one of the well-known publishers to be successful. Small independent publishers are often easier to work with, and they can offer you more personalized options when it comes to choosing how you want your book to be published. Independent publishers can work with new authors who don’t already have connections in the industry, whereas large publishers often choose to publish books by established authors or those with connections. Don’t be afraid to reach out to multiple publishing companies until you find the right fit. 

Reaching out to publishers

Many publishers focus on one book genre, so the first step in finding the right publisher is to find ones that deal with the genre in which your book is written. When you find publishers that you believe may be a good fit, research their submission requirements. These can vary greatly from publisher to publisher. You may be required to submit a query letter, book synopsis, or several sample chapters. Be prepared for rejections as it’s simply part of the process for most new authors. 

Completing the writing process for your first book is just the beginning of the journey toward seeing your book on the shelf of your favorite bookstore. Finding a publisher is the next step and one that many authors find very challenging.  If you’re truly dedicated to becoming a published author, don’t give up on your dream, even if you face rejection from publishers. Finding the right publisher can take time, but seeing the finished product will be worth all the time and effort you put into it. 

If you work remotely, you probably have a routine that you follow. Your routine likely differs from other remote workers’ daily schedules. Curiosity about how remote workers spend their days is common among people who work traditional jobs. Those who’ve never worked remotely may believe you get up at 10:00 AM to start a leisurely day, where you work a couple of hours, scroll social media, take a long lunch, and then perhaps work some more before quitting promptly at 4 PM. However, experienced remote workers know the struggles associated with working from home, many of which are associated with maintaining boundaries and separating work life from home life. 

Yes, actual work is involved

Many remote workers have the same hours they’d work at the office; they just save time by not commuting. Some remote workers have more flexible schedules, but that doesn’t mean they work significantly less simply because they have the option to work remotely. Remote workers may struggle with separating work time from home time. This often leads to dealing with emails or problem-solving tasks that could wait until the next workday. Remote workers often feel overworked or unable to step away from their desks because they don’t have that physical separation from work that on-site workers have.

Multitasking happens, and it can be problematic

Yes, some remote workers multitask. This can mean doing household chores while listening in on a virtual meeting or running errands during traditional work hours. For some, this isn’t a problem. It depends on the flexibility and workload of the individual. If you are project-based and not paid by the hour, you can work your preferred hours, running errands or doing household chores when you wish, as long as projects are done on time. Other workers may have to follow a strict schedule, where multitasking household chores is not an option.  

Remote work does have plenty of benefits, but there are also drawbacks to working from home. Yes, remote workers usually have some flexibility and they save time and money by not commuting to work. But they still often work as many hours per day as those working on-site, and they often struggle with separating work from home. If you wish to make the transition to remote work, be sure you’re aware of the good and bad before making the change.

During the workday, do you ever wish you had more time or could find a way to complete tasks more efficiently? Remote workers often allow work time to bleed into home time, preventing the necessary separation between the two. One of the best ways to ensure you can switch off from work is to use your time efficiently and find ways to save time on necessary tasks. The following tips may help you get through your workday more efficiently.

Make a schedule based on your priorities

Schedule your day or week out ahead of time so you know what must get done. Approximate how much time each task will take and designate a time and day to complete those tasks, starting with the most urgent. Check your schedule regularly, mark off completed tasks, and adjust your next day’s schedule at the end of each workday as needed. 

Outsource when possible

Outsourcing costs money, but it can save time. When deciding whether to outsource certain tasks, consider the cost and benefits. Will outsourcing allow you to work on projects that will make you more money or further your career? If so, outsource those tasks that don’t need your attention so you can focus on projects that require your expertise.

Avoid multitasking

Multitasking does not always lead to efficiency. Working on more than one thing at a time can prevent you from fully focusing and require more time to complete projects than if you finish one task before moving on to the next. Switching between tasks can be distracting and it requires the brain to refocus each time you encounter a new task, which often means every job takes longer to complete. 

Complaints about time management are common with remote workers. Learning to manage your time when you work from home may require you to implement a stricter schedule based on the tasks that have a higher priority. You may find that outsourcing certain jobs and learning how to focus on one task at a time can help you accomplish your goals more quickly. Simple changes can help you work more efficiently, allowing you to switch off when the workday is over so you can focus on other pursuits.     

If you work from home, do you ever feel like your productivity is not where it should be? Many factors can reduce your productivity as a remote worker. One of the main issues faced by remote workers is getting distracted. You may have children, pets, or other family members at home when you work, which can prevent you from getting your work done on time. Noise distractions are one of the most common complaints from remote workers when they struggle with completing tasks. While it’s impossible to prevent or eliminate all distracting noises, you can take some steps to reduce these noises so you can better stay on task. 

Less noise in your workspace

The first step in reducing noise while you work is making some changes to your workspace. Invest in quality noise-canceling headphones that can be used while you work, especially if you have frequent work calls or meetings. If you’re especially distracted by noise, wearing your headphones even when not on calls can greatly reduce the ambient noise. If you work in a busy part of your home, consider moving your office to a different area when possible. If this isn’t an option, be sure your friends and family, those who live with you and those who don’t, are aware of your work schedule and know not to contact you during those hours unless there’s an emergency. 

Reducing other sources of noise

If you get a lot of deliveries, consider investing in a silent doorbell. They can alert you in other ways but won’t make the traditional doorbell sound, which is especially problematic if you have dogs. If your schedule is flexible, you may benefit from working different hours, which can help if you have close neighbors who are active during certain parts of the day. Working early in the morning before others are awake or staying up late in the evening can help you get tasks done when others are not around to create noise. 

Some people aren’t affected by noise, while others may be completely thrown off task by noisy interruptions. When you work from home, noise can come from inside or outside your home, which limits your ability to control the sources. To help yourself focus while you work, consider investing in some noise-cancelling headphones, modifying your workspace or schedule, and upgrading to a silent doorbell can prevent many of the most common household noises from disturbing you while you work. 

If you’re like most people, you likely always have your phone within reach. Whether you’re checking social media or catching up with texts from friends or family, it’s not uncommon to feel like you can’t step away from your smartphone for more than a few minutes. This attachment can prevent you from engaging in other activities, reduce your productivity at work, and prevent you from getting your chores done around the house. Constant phone usage can also be harmful to your mental health. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix if you can discipline yourself enough to put your phone away regularly so you can do other activities. 

How harmful is constant phone use?

In theory, having a tiny computer accessible 24/7 would be convenient, but that convenience comes with a price. Spending too much time on your phone can leave you with an unrealistic view of how other people live, especially if you’re constantly checking social media. FOMO, or the fear of missing out, is a phenomenon that has increased significantly since smartphones became popular. 

Shopping on your phone or streaming a show is not as stimulating to your brain as doing something like reading a physical book or simply talking with a friend. Overusing your smartphone can negatively impact your mood. You may feel mildly depressed after scrolling for hours when you realize you could have been doing something more productive.

Limit your smartphone usage

Depending on your age, you may remember when internet usage was much more complicated, and smartphones did not exist. While there’s no way to return to this simpler time, you can reduce the time on your phone with some discipline. Consider implementing phone-free hours for yourself and encourage your family to do the same. If you’re feeling burnt out, consider taking a technology-free weekend where you enjoy activities that don’t require a Wi-Fi connection. 

Smartphones are an important part of life that allows everyone to access information, contact loved ones, and share on social media with ease. But overusing your cell phone can be detrimental to your mental health. By allowing yourself to put your phone away for certain hours or an entire weekend, you can be present with your friends and family while enjoying activities that don’t require you to be online.  

Stress can impact every area of your life, especially when it comes to work. When you’re stressed, you may have problems focusing, and your mental capacity can be impacted. While most people are aware of the negative impacts of stress, the reasons stress impacts the body are not as well-known. By understanding the link between cortisol and how it works in the body, you can implement strategies to reduce your stress levels, which in turn can help you be more productive at work.  

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is often called the stress hormone because the body releases it when you encounter a stressful situation. The release of cortisol can cause a physical and emotional reaction, making it difficult to function. If you deal with chronic stress, your body’s cortisol levels may be elevated frequently, which can lead to mental challenges when you’re working. 

Stress at work

Whether your stress is work-related or personal, it can impact your productivity. The key is to face it head-on before it becomes overwhelming. Removing stressors is not always an option, but you can take steps to reduce the way those stressors impact your ability to work. One of the most important parts of reducing stress is to know what triggers it. While it’s unlikely you can eliminate all your stress triggers, you can reduce the impact they have on you if you’re prepared with some stress-relieving practices. 

Stress relief strategies

When you’re away from work, focus on stress-free activities as much as possible. Regular exercise, quality sleep, and a nutrient-rich diet can help your body healthily react to stress. Take some time to find quick stress-relief strategies that can be used when you’re struggling at work. This could include a quick walk outside during lunch, deep breathing techniques, or repeating positive affirmations to yourself. The important thing is to find what works for you and to implement those practices before stress takes over. 

Managing stress during your workday is essential if you want to stay on task. High cortisol levels can impact your ability to function, especially if you’re plagued with chronic stress. Everyone deals with stress differently, so it’s important to understand your stress triggers and have strategies to help you combat stress before it takes over and prevents you from completing your work.