Some solopreneurs find themselves plagued by procrastination, confusion, frustration and overwhelm. It’s easy to do. I understand. I’ve been there!


If you’re one of them, you might spend your time focusing on how to write a better tweet on Twitter, or how to be a better “friend” on Facebook. Again, I understand.


There’s so much hype from The Gurus that you can make good money in a bad market and have adoring fans if you can master social media and network. Guess, what? They’re right!


But, that’s only part of the story.


Mastering social media and networking is critical, especially if you’re a service professional … a business coach or consultant. However, social media and networking are tools to help you accomplish your goals IF you can:

1. Think big
2. Find your “Why”
3. Research your market
4. Plan your business
5. Take massive action
6. Leverage those around you
7. Review, Re-educate, Revise, & Repeat

If these terms are a little too dry for you, I’ll make them more pleasing:

1. Change your thinking to achieve bigger results (think big) 

2. Avoid procrastination, a lack of confidence and burn out while keeping focused on specific actions to achieve your desired success (find your “why”)

3. Attract more of the right customers (research your market)

4. Avoid multiple false starts (plan your business)

5. Replace your busy work with results producing action (take massive action)

6. Rally others to your cause to achieve greater success faster (leverage those around you)

7. Capitalize on your current achievements for greater future success (The 4Rs: review, re-educate, revise, & repeat)


If you skip any of these 7 essentials, you’re going to create opportunities for procrastination, confusion, frustration and overwhelm. It can leave you feeling like one of the masses wondering why a few lucky solopreneurs get to play in the big game while you have to watch from the sidelines trying to figure out how they make the big plays seem so easy. I don’t want that for you. I am passionate about helping you maximize your solopreneur potential.


So I have a gift for you.


If you go to my Small Biz Break site, you will see on the right side of the page, an opt-in form where you can access the recent webinar my partner and I recorded titled, “Discover the 7 Essential for Going from Cruise Control to Crushing It in Your Business”. There you’ll find the recording, plus two bonus downloads.


If you feel like you’re watching the big game being played while you sit on the sidelines, get out of the crowds and get in the game! You can do it. Give the webinar a listen. Take action with the bonus handouts.


What’s stopping you? Don’t you deserve your big break?


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

Sounds like a bold title, doesn’t it? Is this just catchy copy or is it truly possible that there are just seven essential actions solopreneurs master for breakthrough success?


The truth is many of these top small business pros worked very hard to get where they are today. Their success didn’t happen overnight. The honest ones will tell you that they struggled and made mistakes along the way. Some big mistakes. Costly mistakes. I sure have. More than once … and in multiple industries.


These are all talented people that have the entrepreneurial DNA, but before they achieved their breakthrough success, they had certain patterns or habits that kept them just on the other side of success. They fought through frustration, confusion, procrastination, small results and some degree of self-doubt … all at a cost of tremendous effort, personal pride, loss of money and cashing in a few favors with the people that supported them most.


Does this sound like your current situation?


If so, we want to help you.


My Small Biz Break partner, Maria, and I are hosting a live webinar on Tuesday March 1^st at 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST titled, “Discover the 7 Essentials for Going from Cruise Control to Crushing It in Your Business”. In this no-cost webinar, we’ll talk about the seven key actions that successful entrepreneurs mastered for breakthrough success.


You’ll discover the primary secrets of:

1. How to change your thinking to achieve bigger results

2. How to avoid procrastination, a lack of confidence and burn out while keeping focused on specific actions to achieve your desired success

3. How to attract more of the right customers

4. How to avoid multiple false starts

5. How to replace your busy work with results producing action

6. How to rally others to your cause to achieve greater success faster

… and …

7. How you can capitalize on your current achievements for greater future success


We don’t believe in taking up your time with fluff and only talking about theories. We are committed to introducing you to new ideas so you can see new possibilities. We will discuss why they’re important and we back that with practical, how-to steps so you can start taking action right away.


The first action you need to take is to register for this event. At the bottom of our Small Biz Break Events page, you will see a registration form. When you sign in your name and email address, not only will you reserve one of the limited spots to:


1. Our live 60-minute free webinar on Tuesday, March 1^st

… but for a limited number of take-action entrepreneurs who register early, we will give a complementary bonus  …

2. A one-on-one 30-minute private strategy session. We are only offering this for a limited number of people, so take action now before the other action-oriented entrepreneurs beat you to it!


We’re excited to get the opportunity to help your business reach its full potential!


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

 If you’re like me, one big reason why you decided to become a solopreneur was you were tired of being tied to someone else’s vision … whether a boss’s or a partner’s.


You had a passion, a vision that no one else seemed to share with the same intensity, dedication, and desire that you did. So, why should you marginalize your solopreneur startup by having to answer to someone else, right?


But then, somewhere along the way, you got a case of the lonelies. You missed the energy, the brainstorming, the creativity that others contributed.


For the most part, we are social creatures. We thrive when we interact with other people. In business, interaction keeps our energy up, our competitive nature strong, our accountability in check, our focus laser-like, and our creativity pumping.


So as a solopreneur, what can you do to be part of a group without sacrificing your individuality?


Build your support system.


1. Loved Ones
Always start with your loved ones … and primarily your significant other. Nothing will drain your focus and motivation faster than a partner that is non-supportive. It isn’t that you need your partner to take an active role in your business, but you do need to know that they are willing to give you the time, support and space to accomplish your goals at a minimum. This may include your partner bearing the brunt of the financial burden until you become self-sufficient.


2. Mastermind Groups
If you aren’t familiar with mastermind groups, they typically consist of a handful of other entrepreneurs who have a common energy level and commitment to achievement. The group meets regularly (in person or online) to discuss everyone’s current projects, the problems they’re experiencing for achieving their goals and what they are committed to do about improving their situation. The other group members will share their perspective, provide their insight, and hold each other accountable for their action items. Often, members of a mastermind will pick a project or projects that they can work on together as a joint venture.


3. Networking Professionals
Hopefully, you have set a goal or networking with other solo professionals and small business owners. There can be people that you meet at live events or that you connect with in online forums. People you network with can be an additional source of feedback on your vision, your strategies and your tactics, plus they may become people you partner with on a joint venture or outsource some of your less-than-favorite tasks.


4. Mentors
Mentors give you insight, knowledge, and an additional level of accountability. They provide you with an example of what can be possible if you make the appropriate adjustments to your business model, strategies and tactics.


When building your network of support, you’ll look for people who fill the following 4 roles:

• Motivators
• Teachers
• Partners
• Cheerleaders

And here’s a key to remember: if you want to attract the right people to you and get them to invest their interest, time and energy into your vision you need:

1. A clear vision
2. A passion or your purpose and the people that you are helping
3. Strengths and experience that support why your vision has the likelihood of succeeding
4. Clearly defined, objective goals
5. To give back
6. Clearly communicate the previous 5 element to your support system

Being a solopreneur is an extremely rewarding journey. But if you are struggling along the way, invite the motivators, the teachers, the partners and the cheerleaders to get involved.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

I’m excited to let you in on a New Year’s resolution that I’ve been working on for the past two weeks. It’s the start of a new coaching program my Small Biz Break partner, Maria, and I are putting together. I apologize that I haven’t had a post up here in that time, but this resolution is a priority.


It isn’t that we are focused on us and not you, quite the opposite. We are passionate about helping you grow your business. One of our resolutions is to provide you with a greater service.


Since our desire is to put together the best program for you that will give you the greatest transformation in your business that you seek, we are asking for your feedback. No sense in putting together a program that doesn’t solve your biggest problem, right?


Based upon the status of your business today and what holds you back from achieving the level of success you desire, which of the following programs sound like what you want or need:


1. Thinking Like the You of Tomorrow
How to change your thinking to achieve bigger results


2. Discovering Your Shortest Path to Success
How to avoid procrastination, a lack of confidence and burn out while keeping focused on specific actions to achieve your desired success


3. Finding Your Market’s Sweet Spot
How to attract more of the right customers


4. Creating Your Blueprint for Success
How to avoid multiple false starts


5. Going from Ordinary to Extraordinary Through Massive Action
How to replace your busy work with results producing action


6. Why Do it On Your Own When Others Want to Do It for You
How to rally others to your cause to achieve greater success faster


7. The 4 Rs for Perpetual Success
How you can use your success to create greater success


You can vote for one program title or multiple titles in the comments (and any other comments you may have on the help you want).


Thank you in advance for your participation.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

One of the best perks that comes with being an solopreneur is the ability to pick the people that work with you. If you’ve ever worked as an employee, chances are you’ve crossed paths with a person … that certain special someone that pushed your buttons, testing the limits of your ability to remain professional.


As a solopreneur, you won’t have employees, however, you can choose your vendors and your joint venture partners. The trick to finding the right matches is to not get hung up on skills and focus on the PEEPs.


Personality
Do the people you connect with share a similar personality? Yes, you can choose to work with people different than you are, but a greater sense of harmony and collaboration will come from surrounding yourself with people that you enjoy being around.


Energy
Small businesses thrive on remaining agile. Creating a work environment (even if it is a virtual extension of your home office) of people putting out as much electricity as you will keep you more pumped than chugging a bottle of 5150 energy drink. When you want to set a new idea in motion or take advantage of a new opportunity, you want to stay focused on accomplishing your goals and not on pushing the people on your team to get excited.


Ethics
Trust is key to any great relationship. If you ask a vendor or a joint venture partner to complete a project by a specific deadline, you need to be able to trust them.


Passion
You are passionate about your cause. Your joint venture partners must have a similar passion since they are focused on the same target market. Your vendors may have a different passion, but at minimum, they should be equally passionate about helping you succeed.


Take advantage of this excellent perk. Surround yourself with the people that are going to energize you and bring an equal amount of zeal to accomplish your goals.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break