In the latest of our sessions from Harriet, we talk about a huge subject - how lonely it can be being an entrepreneur, especially in the early stages and how to cope with, or even better, avoid loneliness. Over to you, Harriet!
A lot of our community are solo founders, embarking on the journey to success alone. But it doesn't have to be a lonely affair. I'm here to give you my top advice to avoid talking to yourself day in and day out.
First things first, networking doesn't have to come at a cost. Yes, taking your laptop to your favourite bustling café is always tempting. Great coffee, those cakes you can't seem to avoid, and having people chatting around you can be comforting. However, that costs you money, and those daily trips can add up faster than you'd think. Here's another idea instead: hit up your other self-employed friends or those working from home on more methodical or even mundane tasks, because that's where Zoom comes in.
It's easy to feel disconnected, yet connecting with others is incredibly easy these days. In fact, for those of you who have bravely sailed overseas to move your business to the UK, this is a brilliant way of keeping up with far-reaching friends, family and loved ones. Grab a coffee, fire up your webcam and keep the conversation flowing, all whilst getting your tasks ticked off nicely on that never-ending to-do list. There's something oddly motivating about having someone else virtually in the room with you, even if you're both silently working away. It creates accountability without the pressure of constant conversation.
Networking events
Now, let's talk about networking events. Hear me out here because if you've been keeping up with our recent articles, you may have read that a certain someone (ahem, Richard), although being a super peopley person (yes, we will allow that word), can struggle to attend big events, introduce himself to strangers and all that jazz. But here's the thing: it can be such a huge step in the right direction, not only to combat the loneliness but you never know who you might meet. A few of our Innovators, when telling their stories, have mentioned meeting their co-founders or partners at conferences or business events. These connections didn't happen by accident; they happened because someone pushed through the discomfort and showed up.
It's like our own Innovator International events. They can be daunting, but when you go home you realise how incredible it was to meet so many wonderful people, to push through the nerves to get yourself there. Friendships, collaborations, partnerships can all be found, and remember, you can choose which ones to go to! Start small if you need to. Perhaps a local meet up or an industry-specific gathering where you already share common ground with attendees. You don't have to conquer the largest conference in your field right away.
A change of scene
Circling back to the coffee hub idea, you can of course agree to meet others in an eatery to co-work together. In fact, we highly encourage it! Why not jump into our General Community WhatsApp Group and invite anyone who's up for it to a location local to yourself? Although the majority of our community seem to reside in London, everyone loves the opportunity to escape or explore new places. There's something about changing your scenery that can spark fresh ideas and give you a new perspective on whatever challenge you're facing.
A win too is supporting the small, independent businesses with this concept. Starbucks won't notice if a gaggle of incredible entrepreneurs make their favourite coffee order and add a cheeky pastry to the bill, but our fellow family-run business owners certainly will. Not only that, I'm sure it will give them that little boost they so need. You're not just combating your own loneliness; you're helping to build a sense of community in your local area.
Another thing I tend to do when I'm not able to meet friends or co-work online (sometimes I do have to try to concentrate on what I'm doing, like writing this story for instance) is play music. It's easily forgotten, especially if you already have a background hum like the washing machine or pets wandering around. But a nice relaxing playlist can be good for concentration, or something more upbeat if I need a bit of a kick. Sometimes just hearing voices or melodies can trick your brain into feeling less isolated, even when you're working on something that requires deep focus.
Make the first move
Checking in with other business owners or founders is another brilliant way to stay connected and earn some good networking karma. You never know who's struggling, who needs to read a certain quote or watch a random video that could lift their spirits or get them through a funk. It can be really heavy juggling the pressures of work, but a little human (or animal) interaction can go a long way. Send that message, make that call, or drop a thoughtful comment on someone's post. These small gestures create ripples, and they often come back to you when you need them most. It's all good karma after all!
One more thing worth mentioning: consider joining online communities or forums specific to your industry or business stage. These digital spaces can be lifelines, especially during those late-night work sessions when everyone else seems to be asleep. You'll find people asking the same questions you've been wrestling with, sharing victories worth celebrating, and offering perspectives you hadn't considered. The beauty of these communities is that they're always there, humming away in the background, ready whenever you need that connection.
Finally, don't underestimate the power of structure and routine. When you're working alone, the days can blur together, making the loneliness feel even more pronounced. Setting regular times to connect with others, whether that's a weekly Zoom co-working session, a monthly coffee meet up, or even just daily check-ins with a friend, gives you something to look forward to. It breaks up the monotony and reminds you that you're part of something bigger, even when you're building your business solo.
Remember, feeling lonely in business doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're human. The key is recognising it and taking those small steps to reconnect. You've already taken the brave leap to start your own venture. Reaching out to others along the way? That's just another part of the journey, and it might be the part that makes all the difference.
