Overcoming Entrepreneurial Lonliness

Ask any Business Owner or Entrepreneur and they will tell you that owning and running a business can be a lonely and isolated role. Especially when the going gets tough and you are the only person who can and will make the final decision. You cannot expect your spouse or friends to relate to your problems as they are not involved in the day-to-day running and management of your business, they probably have their own worries which is taking up enough of their time and energy. 

It is important to prioritize your relationships, no longer can you meet people at the drop of a hat and go for a drink or a coffee. That does not mean you isolate yourself but choose your friends wisely, the ones who you know will be with you through thick and thin. They are your true friends who you can trust and confide in.

To help with your personal development and learning look at getting a mentor or coach who can help you reach a decision in a logical and from an impartial point of view offering guidance and to help you see the woods from the trees. You could also consider on bringing on board a non-executive Director.

In ancient Greece the great philosophers Socrates and Plato would have sat for hours with their peers debating matters of interest and concern in what was a forerunner of the Mastermind Group.

The Mastermind Group concept can be traced back to the author Napoleon Hill. In 1908, Hill was commissioned by the American industrialist Andrew Carnegie to interview over 500 of the most successful people of the day and put together a general formula for business and life success. The ‘project’ took over 20 years to complete culminating in ‘The Law of Success’ later to become ‘Think and Grow Rich’, which included a series of steps of which he advocates the ‘Power of the Mastermind’ which we now know as the Mastermind Group.

A Mastermind Group is a group of people preferably not more than six who are of a like mind from either the same or different industries sharing a common need for success in their business venture. The group meets on a regular basis with the objective of supporting each other through the sharing of experiences and knowledge.

When forming a Group choose members who are likely to create synergy, who are focused, ambitious, open-minded and goal oriented with a positive outlook who will bring to each and every meeting energy and a willingness to share. It is beneficial to include people who have real experience and success in business and who have overcome personal challenges. The Group is designed as a long-term support system and not as a ‘drop-in’ session whenever you feel you need a motivational lift.

The Group becomes a place where individuals can bounce ideas, discuss problems confidentially and learn from the wisdom of their fellow Group members. Mastermind Groups can offer valuable benefits including accountability to ensure that projects don’t slip in terms of deadlines and completion. An additional advantage is the power of simply stating your goals out loud which in turn can help you to clarify your thinking and to ‘follow-through’

So if you find yourself in a situation where you are starting to get over whelmed and feel you have no one to turn to with your problems why not take the initiative and create your own Mastermind Group and gain from the support of fellow business people. Organise your initial meetings in a local coffee shop, they will welcome the extra business and who knows they might even benefit from the Group themselves.

If you are looking for help to grow your business and if I can help you why not call or email me for a confidential Breakthrough Call.