You Are Not Alone if You Get Involved

Many small- and home-based business owners work alone. They do not have employees. Perhaps they out source all their labor to offshore production facilities or call centers. They usually work out of their homes, a small storefront, or shared office suites. Most business owners interact with clients face-to-face, but many do not. As a result, a large number of business owners experience feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Business owners working alone lack the camaraderie they experienced working in large companies. They lose the sense of accountability to someone else. They miss the banter and small-talk with other workers. They must stimulate creativity and ingenuity on their own without stimulus from co-workers or project teams. They must draw motivation and discipline from within themselves every hour, every day.

Over time, they wind down and may lose their way. I offer a few simple methods for avoiding this mind-numbing isolation:

1. Join a professional or business association related to your work—and participate in their activities. Most communities maintain a Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, or other service organization. Thousands of associations exist to allow manufacturers, CPAs, retailers, home builders, and even clowns to mingle and share ideas. You can find them by searching for a word that describes your work and the word association or using the Encyclopedia of Associations. You need to attend at least 2 activities a month to feel connected.
2. Form a mastermind group with 3-4 other business owners or friends. Mastermind group consist of 4-5 people who want to move forward and improve their lives or careers. They meet at least once a month for 60-90 minutes. Mastermind groups energize participants to greater success. Groups create synergistic ideas that lift each member. The agenda is simple. Each person in the group
1. Shares what they goal they are working on
2. Lists what they did in the last month to achieve that goal and the results of their efforts
3. Outlines what they plan to do in the next month to achieve the goal
4. Asks the group to brainstorm possible solutions to barriers or challenges
3. Eat lunch with others at least twice a month. Bryan Walden Pope spawned an idea called The Abundance Group (TAG). People register on the web site. They invite one of the other members to a lunch or breakfast. Each of the two bring 2-3 other people to the event. Attendees may not solicit business from the others. The purpose remains connecting with interesting people and learning about them. Sharing ideas and opinions. You may also want to read the book  Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.
4. Maintain a top 25 list. I learned this technique from Mark LeBlanc the author of Growing Your Business. Review your address book and identify the 25 most important people for you to contact. Add reminders to your calendar to contact each of the 25 at least once a month. You many connect in-person, by phone, email, sending them a gift, sharing an article or good book. But connect with them each month.

You may use any of these methods—or hundreds of others—to connect with people in a non-stressful invigorating way. Connecting with others reduces isolation and loneliness. It stimulates your intellect and social skills. It improves your business. So, as the year ends build a system into your life to connect with others. I know, from personal experience, it really helps.