When I retired from nursing it took me several weeks to adjust to not having to go to a job and be on the run all day.
I went from getting up and 4 AM to sleeping until 7-8 AM.
At first, it felt good like I was on vacation. After the third week, it started to get lonely and I didn’t know what to do with myself.
I cooked, cleaned, went shopping, and joined a workout group.
But when I was back with my laptop I was working on my business alone.
I enrolled in a coaching group for a year and met lots of business-minded people and it was my release from being alone in business. At the end of the year, I signed back up to stay around people that were like me.
I missed the daily social interactions.
I missed the existing friendships.
I missed the office laughs with co-workers.
I leaned into Social Media to nurture online friendships around the world and connect with like-minded people who understand aloneness.
When I attended events we would all meet up. I grew and nurtured a new circle of friends who had the same office giggles and the conversation that was around business even though we were all in different companies.
I also made myself leave the house and go sit in public coffee shops, library’s to be around other people and nurture people’s connections.
Often like me, entrepreneurs are introverted in nature, and going to it conversations or a room full of people is overwhelming.
Building accountability groups helps build your confidence, keeps you motivated, and you learn that other people are going through some of the same struggles. An accountability buddy helps with the isolation.
I enjoy being alone a lot, but I also like having people to reach out to and have office conversations. Once that connection is built you feel more inspired by your own work.
If someone tells you that being an entrepreneur is easy they are not being honest with you.
Being an entrepreneur means breaking the mold, being different, and dealing with rejections from sales. The reality is you are not as alone as you think you are. You get caught up in your own thinking but once you build that outer circle you find out what you are feeling is rather normal.
Being an entrepreneur takes courage. You are a leader, not a follower and you have to remind yourself to be brave.
- Seek out connections. Not just someone to become your customer but real connections
- Create water cooler moments. Have a coffee zoom break or a chit-chat in messenger.
- Being vulnerable is key to combating loneliness
- Stop working long hours. Close the laptop get outside and inhale fresh air. Take care of your mental health.
- Become active inside online groups or an in-person group if that fits you.
Don’t let your business create loneliness. Let it help you find real connections. Not all connections are for business, some of your connections are for friendship and good mental health.
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