The “Silent Killer” of Solo Business: 5 Pillars You’re Neglecting (Until It’s Too Late)
We’re all human, right? And just because we’re running our own business, that doesn’t mean we’re exempt from all our human flaws. The trick is to recognize them, so we can do something about them! Falling into a pattern of behavior is one of them. In business, this can easily lead to neglect without us even realizing it.
I don’t know about you, but my brain does NOT cope well when I have 50 million things vying for my attention all at once (to be fair, I even struggle with two these days!), so unless there’s some pressing deadline or other, I’m most likely to put off the tasks I’m not crazy about, and occupy my day with tasks that I like better.
This is what is known as “procrastivity.” The act of putting something off by keeping yourself busy with something else, but be warned, this neglect is KILLING your business.
You see, procrastivity keeps you in the “emergency room” of your business, running from one problem or task to the next, with no strategy or direction. Then, when we’re faced with a decision or task that we’re not sure about or seems too difficult, we freeze or completely avoid the problem, unable to decide or move forward.
This leads to what I like to call a “doubt tax.” It’s the flounder factor that plagues every decision. It’s focusing on a $2 problem, so you miss out on a $200 opportunity. It’s being stuck in the “founder’s fog,” second-guessing every move, and delaying your progress.
Most solo entrepreneurs I’ve spoken to started their businesses to help others and to gain some sense of control over their lives and/or income.
What nobody ever told them is that there are 5 critical business areas they must juggle simultaneously. I call them the 5 Pillars of Potent Productivity™
1. Goals: Define your landmark aspirations and map out the milestones that will take you there.
2. Customer Care: Always prioritize enhancing the customer experience.
3. Adding Value: Ensure you're consistently providing value to your clients.
4. Expanding Your Network: Don’t overlook the importance of growing your connections and outreach.
5. Delivering on Your Promises: Stay committed to what you promise your customers—this builds trust.
When you're doing everything yourself, it's easy to let one pillar crumble under pressure. Perhaps you're so dedicated to customer service that you neglect your goals or lose sight of your commitments while trying to expand your network. Many people think this is a time management problem, but it isn’t. It’s an energy management problem.
You might think you can power through, and sure, some tasks need to be done even if they're not thrilling. But when you're not at peak energy, pushing through can lead to burnout rather than productivity. Instead, try to match your tasks with your natural energy patterns. Oh, and always have a plan to fall back on when things start to go sideways!
I like to call this my “Oh crap, what now” plan, or the 4Rs of Potent Productivity™. This is what they look like:
1. Recognize the Problem: Acknowledge what is bothering you or what you're avoiding.
2. Face the Reality: Assess the situation honestly.
3. Create a Roadmap: Develop a step-by-step plan that outlines what needs to be done.
4. Get Reassurance: Seek validation from the right sources, coaches, mentors, or peers in your field, rather than from friends or family who may not understand your business.
Let’s imagine for a second that you’re nose deep in procrastivity and you’re in danger of seriously neglecting one of the 5 Pillars. Here’s how the 4Rs become your rescue plan:
Recognize: Take a look at the tasks you’ve been doing over the last week. Are they just keeping you busy, or are they actually helping you to move the needle in your business?
Reality: Where would you be better spending your time and energy?
Roadmap: What are the 3-5 steps you need to take to achieve this?
Reassurance: How will you know when you’ve been successful?
This 30-second rescue plan strategy has saved mine and my clients’ bacon… more than once! When I have a plan, I stop paying the “doubt tax” because I stop second-guessing myself, worrying about whether I’m doing the right thing, or believing that what I’m doing isn’t good enough. Not only that, it transforms my mindset, allowing me to focus on solutions rather than problems.
As an added bonus, this simple strategy has a huge impact on the people around me because I’m more present with them. My Granddad used to call this “pulling the shutters down” on your business, as if you’d closed up the store for the day. In turn, this means I am better able to rest, which makes me feel more energized and clear-headed, helping me take more decisive action.
When I’m able to manage this energy in my business by aligning my tasks with my energy levels, I can avoid the abyss of overload and procrastivity.
Many solo entrepreneurs these days seem to think that burnout or exhaustion is either a badge of honor or the only option, but I’m here to tell you that running your solo business doesn’t have to feel like you’re pushing water uphill every day.
When you equip yourself with the right strategies and support system, you’ll find yourself thriving rather than merely surviving. So go ahead, tackle the pillars, manage your energy, and watch your business flourish!
By the way, if you feel like you’re drowning in procrastivity, you’ll LOVE my Potent Productivity Academy group training. The doors are currently closed right now, but to give you a head start, head to https://potentproductivityacademy.com, where you can grab my FREE Potent Productivity™ Primer that includes a free digital copy of my bestselling book “Stop Doing It All” and a 5-day email intensive to set you on the road to success!
