3 Ways to Overcome Loneliness as an Entrepreneur
Let’s face it, being a business owner is difficult… and lonely. It’s likely that only a few (if any) of your friends own and run a successful company, so it’s difficult for them to relate to and give advice on the struggles you’re facing as a business owner.
According to Harvard Business Review, “half of CEOs… reported experiencing feelings of loneliness in their role. Some of the first-time solo entrepreneurs have reported feeling this more acutely than others.”
It’s hard to be the leader, responsible for making all the decisions, and face the pressures of starting and setting up a business. We are right there with you - it can be tough at the top.
Good news: despite what you’re feeling, you are not alone in this. In this blog, we are sharing three ways to combat loneliness as an entrepreneur.
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Unsplash
Interact with Other People in Your Workplace
If you have an office and employees, try spending 15 minutes each day walking around and interacting with them. Ask them how their day is going, offer to troubleshoot with them if they’re stuck on a project, or ask them if they have fresh ideas for the business. The social interaction will reinvigorate you and remind you why you started your business in the first place.
If you’re a solopreneur or work from home, sign up for a trial period at a coworking space. These spaces help to establish a sense of community and collaboration, so they are a great place for networking and meeting like-minded individuals. Utilizing a coworking space can be a good way to ensure you have people around to socialize with on the days you may need more people in your corner.
Join a Mastermind Group for Entrepreneurs
The best way to combat loneliness is to connect with other entrepreneurs and leaders who have a growth mindset and are experiencing similar struggles. Connecting with other entrepreneurs is a great way to defeat loneliness while staying focused on your business goals.
For example, Entrepreneur Organization is a membership for entrepreneurs who understand the hard work and sacrifice required to run a successful company. We help our members combat loneliness by building mastermind groups - we call them Accountability Groups - to troubleshoot problems they’re having in their business and offer advice based on our own experience. The groups create a tight-knit team of individuals who meet together regularly and support each other through the ups and downs of running a business.
Take Care of Yourself + Ask for Help
Being an entrepreneur comes with strong pressures that can quickly take a toll on your mental health and relationships, making feelings of loneliness even worse. It’s important to ask for help from your friends, family, or a professional when you’re feeling down, even if they can’t relate to the problems you’re facing. You and everyone around you all benefit greatly when you put your mental health first.
It’s also important to remember: when you move your body, you change your mind. In addition to prioritizing your mental health, make sure you’re making time to exercise, eat healthy foods that fuel you, and get adequate sleep to keep your body and mind strong. Even better, enlist an accountability partner for your health goals. You’ll have something outside of work to focus on, and someone to talk to when you’re feeling lonely.
We hope you found these three tips for combating loneliness as an entrepreneur helpful. If you try these tips or agree with the advice, please share it! We are passionate about helping entrepreneurs thrive through their struggles. If you have any questions about how to overcome loneliness and build community with other entrepreneurs, please contact us. We'd love to meet you at an upcoming EO event.