Solo Professionals Ideas

Mary had worked in a professional capacity for others for many years. She trusted her knowledge and skills and more than anything else she wanted to run her own business. It did not take her long to put together a business plan and to secure a loan. She was very excited and ready to go. Yet it didn't happen. Many months went by and Mary was busy with a lot of things that she "needed" to handle. The curious thing was that these were not new concerns but suddenly they became something Mary had to deal with now.

1. Everything you feel is fine

Mary was so enthusiastic about her new venture that she did not acknowledge to herself that she was also scared. In the past she had always had the umbrella of a company over her. This time she was going to be the umbrella. Mary's process of charging forward had always been her strength so it upset her greatly when she was not able to do that now. Just to admit that she was scared was scary for Mary since she interpreted these feelings as being negative and that she "should not" have them. Feelings just are. Allow yourself the freedom to feel whatever you feel. You can then decide which feelings you act upon and which do you just allow to be present.

2. Trust Your Own Voice

You will find that there are inevitably people in your circle of acquaintances who will question the wisdom of your new venture. If you have done your homework and know deep down that there is merit to what you want to do, trust it. These voices of others jingle your own anxieties because you have asked yourself the same questions. Trust your intellectual side in this.

3. Have at least one person who believes in you.

Yoiu will need to have a cheerleader (can be a family member, friend, coach etc.) to whom you can tell your fears and worries but who will understand that you are bound to have them. Any time we move out of our comfort zone we experience anxiety and a yearning to stay in the familiar groove. The person who believes in you will see this as normal and will keep encouraging you to stay the course.

4 Have a daily task list

Mary found that the best way to push through her fears and procrastination was to expect herself to take action. It helped her to to write down tasks that she then held herself accountable for. She found that once she accepted that it was to be expected that she would have anxiety and fear she was able to begin moving forward with her new business. Mary also had to let go of her deep down idea that things had to be perfect.

5. Be your own umbrella

Mary had to learn to trust that in time she would grow into trusting herself. In the meantime she just had to keep taking steps to move her business forward and accept the fact that in order to take risks one has to be willing to leave the familiar comfort zone. In time she would know when to close her umbrella and shine in her own right.