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Whether it's a simple process amendment or a total rethink of strategy, change is inevitable in our business. However, handling change can be a real challenge. Here are some tips to make it easier.
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Outsiders may wonder how you can feel isolated when you've clients and suppliers to talk to and the family upstairs. But professional isolation is a soloist’s occupational hazard.
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Liars are everywhere, but they’re hard to spot, even if their pants are on fire. Never fear, I’ve researched the top 25 business lies told by freelancers and clients. Actually, there are only 14, but 25 will attract more RSS and Twitter readers.
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Over the years, I have heard many interesting beliefs that business people hold about themselves and their business. Here are the most common business assumptions I encounter.
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Are you carrying around dead weight in your business and your life? It's time to slough off what's dragging you down and start the year with positive energy.
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Conventional wisdom states single mindedness, focus and determination will help you with achieving your goals and fixing problems. But what if trying too hard proves counterproductive?
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Recently, I was invited to present at a breakfast meeting. In fact, five of us stood up and spoke, but it’s the taxi driver wisdom I got from my cabbie that morning that’s stuck with me.
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The decision to make a tree or sea change is relatively easy. But have you thought through how your solo business might be affected by such a move?
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Does the thought of failure make you feel queasy? Do you set the bar too high? You may just have what psychologists are now calling the Perfection Infection.
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While a majority of our inner dialogue is relatively trivial, we all have breakthrough thoughts that cut through the minutiae, snap us to attention and get us to act. Now is the ideal time to take note and take action.
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Inspired by those cheesy images of freelancers working blissfully from the beach, I took a towel, sunnies, big straw hat and my trusty laptop down to the beach to write my Flying Solo article in the sun. Here’s the unedited result.
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It's time to review the goodwill performance of your solo business. How will your business measure up?
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Celebrations are an important part of life, but are there ways of enjoying the festive season if there's only you in the office? Absolutely!
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The world is filled with news of doom and gloom, so now is a good time to share an interesting story about keeping a positive perspective during difficult times.
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For those of us who love what we do, our sense of self-worth and work can become intimately intertwined.
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The ABC has been following small businessman Don Angel's exploits via the hit TV show Very Small Business. We sat down with Don to gather his unique insights on running a small business.
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Simple, memorable words of wisdom can come from anywhere. Here are some personal favourites.
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As a soloist, I’ve struggled to find the right amount of structure to keep my business fresh, enjoyable and with a healthy cash flow. I have discovered over time that the organic business approach works best for me.
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When Karen Morath wrote about what it’s like going from full-time soloist to part-time employed a swarm of soloists sent their condolences. I’ve recently had the inverse experience, giving up my part-time job to become a full-time soloist.
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My working style is to pretty much work from anywhere: at home, in cafés, client premises, on planes, trains and in busy food halls. As my work encompasses many of my interests, I let it blend into my life more so than would be comfortable for many.
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If you use your car in the course of running your business, to drive to clients perhaps, then the cost of petrol could be hurting your bottom line. Here are some simple, effective fuel saving tips to keep you on the road and not in the red!
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Marketing 101 states you need to emphasise your strengths to your clients. At one stage or another, you’ll have asked yourself “What am I really good at? What’s my USP? How do I stand out from the competition?”
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For a soloist, ‘working on your business’ inevitably means working on yourself, something I realised had not been a priority. In this article I discuss ways you can renew passion for your business.
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One of the things I love about being a soloist is the flexibility. I’m not alone in this, obviously, but I was reminded recently about how important flexible working arrangements are to me.
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A reader asked a great question in response to my article on using fear to build confidence prompting this article on positive thoughts and positive actions. They asked “No matter how positive our thoughts are, don’t actions speak louder than words?”
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While large companies are spending major marketing dollars on trying to look more human, many soloists are falling into the perfectionism trap of trying to match the machine-like appearance of the big guns in order to compete with them.
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By virtue of flying solo I get to hide at home in unthinkable clothes and undone hair and sitting in a mess of an office. Have I let my business standards drop so far that I should fear getting my corporate kit off?
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In a slew of Friday emails to our lovely contributors, I signed off with ‘Have a great weekend.’ I have since realised it’s a bit of a silly thing to say to a soloist with our flexible working hours.
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Have you ever considered what would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Where you would take your business? Your life? Here’s some good news, by perceiving failure as feedback soloists need never fail.
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There were many days when I was a full time solo business owner that I thought I would pull the pin, throw in the towel, get a proper job and really do something with my life.
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In the 2008 Understanding Micro Business survey, we found average happiness levels ranked at 8/10, while satisfaction with income languished at 5/10.
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Running a socially responsible business means consciously managing the social impact of your business - how it relates to you, your clients and your community.
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Since trading in being a full time soloist to become an institutional employee, I have been reflecting on why I decided to fly solo in the first place and wondering whether soloists are just corporate misfits.
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Soloists love the freedom and control working alone gives us. However, recently I was reminded of how much I missed spending a day 'at work' with other human beings, and how working with others is a great way to get a motivation hit.
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However self-aware you consider yourself to be, it’s surprisingly common to underestimate your effect on others. Here I discuss the importance of self awareness.
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Soloists rarely have cause to consider the aesthetics of their business reputation. Business is often regarded as a purely practical and functional activity. So where does the concept of beauty fit and is it possible to create a beautiful business?
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I have sold out! For the first time in fifteen years, I have changed work styles and have a proper job. It’s part time, but it means I am no longer just flying solo.
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Whether it’s a massive Enron-type scandal or the unreliable tradesman who doesn’t call back, everyone seems to have an opinion on what integrity is and many examples of what it isn’t. So what is business integrity and why is it so important?
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How many of us would achieve what we do without our partners, friends, peers, family and pets who make up our unofficial business support team? It's time these silent partners got due thanks for the part they play in making our businesses a success.
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Although easily overlooked, we ignore values at our peril as they hold the key to a soloist’s ultimate success in business: personal fulfilment.
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You stroll into your boss’ office, flick your resignation letter nonchalantly onto the desk and explain precisely what they can do with their stinking job. Then you swan out to cheers of your workmates. Or so goes the fantasy of being your own boss.
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We are acutely aware of cash flow, ROI, profit and assets in our solo ventures. But when we look at how our business impacts upon the economy sustainability of our communities, we discover that we're not the only ones who can benefit from our business.
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If you’re feeling full of life and bubbling with creativity and confidence, chances are you’re wearing red. If you’re feeling indifferent, or distant, you are probably dressed in black. This article looks at choosing colours to alter perception.
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Are you holding grudges? With resolutions in place and a strong sense of optimism, now is the ideal time to make a conscious decision to give up a grudge.
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To be successful in our business, we need to have a clear vision of where we are going, as well as how we are going to get there. This can be done by creating a personal mission statement, describing the ultimate purpose for our solo journey.
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Having good people skills and treating people we work with well is an important aspect of creating a sustainable business. This area, however, doesn’t get a lot of attention despite its presence behind many of our concerns about work and fairness.
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As soloists we are able to give back to our communities through our ability to be flexible with our time. Community involvement keeps our society functioning as it should, through connecting with people rather than just focusing on making profits.
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‘Gumps’, the oldest member of my family, is a 91 year old country stockman. Back in the day, he did big deals on nothing more than a handshake. But it seems business commitments and promises are getting increasingly casual. Is your word your bond?
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The evidence is everywhere. If we don’t treat clients with respect, we lose them. If we take non-renewable resources from the planet, they run out. It’s time to look past our financial bottom-line to see how to create a truly sustainable business.
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The idea of having a green business is very topical at the moment and every change we make to the way we consume resources and reduce waste helps. Here are the green things I do as part of my business practice. What can you do in your business?
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How do you know if you really love your work? There are two points in the week that are sure-fire indicators of your work satisfaction.
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I bounced out of bed this morning. No alarm clock, no “just five more minutes”. It was my first day of freedom after spending eight months working for someone else and I am once again able to appreciate the great things about being my own boss.
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On the Dalai Lama’s recent visit to Australia, he delivered a strong message about the importance of gratitude. This really got me thinking about the way I live my life. I’m a soloist. Why?
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Working alone, means soloists need to know how to overcome boredom if their business is to prosper. Not being able to cope with being alone is one of the key reasons solo businesses fail, plus it puts people off going it alone in the first place.
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Most of us reckon our solo business ought to provide all our work, career and financial needs. But rather than going it alone all the time, maybe there are benefits to mixing your business with part time employment.
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In so many ways, life today is easy. Rarely do we live on the edge - in the arena of fight or flight - where our instinct tell us how best to survive! So is risk taking necessary in business?
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It's easy for solopreneurs to lose work focus and motivation. We only have ourselves to rely on to make sure the business runs smoothly. But before you take any steps to curb the problem, some lateral thinking can be very helpful.
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I believe when you are willing to put aside your concerns about what other people think and trust your intuition, something magical happens. From there, you can unearth what makes your business unique.
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Too often in business we fail to speak the truth. Instead we say what we think people want to hear and act as we're told to act. What would be the impact on your business if your customer’s knew what you really thought?
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As soloists, we tend to have a fair bit of influence over what new business projects we take on, and what jobs we let through to the keeper. This is one of soloism's great attractions.
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What are your views on contentment? Is it ok to aspire for me or should you be content with less?
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As a soloist, a healthy level of self-confidence is a good thing. But too much ego can be an issue. Signs include extreme feelings of inadequacy when you’re being challenged or when a client or colleague has rejected an idea you’ve proposed.
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Recently I went from solo business to small business and back again to solo life. It's been an interesting experience and one that's reacquainted me with my inner solopreneur – thank goodness!
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Some soloists like to adopt different identities at work and at home. But if you avoid being yourself or leave a big part of yourself out of our work, you fail to be authentic.
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There's nothing like running a solo business to ruthlessly expose our strengths and weaknesses. We try to juggle all the balls and wear all the hats, but inevitably we're good at some things, not at others.
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The argument over nature versus nurture is a long-standing one in child-rearing discussion groups. But the same argument can be levelled amongst those who work for themselves. Are entrepreneurs born or made?
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Recently I became aware of the incredible impact of…well, being aware, and the role of the subconscious mind.
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The phrase 'it's just business' is often used to justify morally questionable behaviour. The immense power business wields over the well-being of this planet makes the issue of morality in business more important than ever.
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For many soloists, February is the time when things kick off in earnest. People, including me, have dusted the sand off their feet, got their kids back to school, tradespeople and factory workers have returned after the annual shutdown and we’re into it.
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Often being grateful is not something we focus on as can be demonstrated by a recent experience I had.
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If you are a business owner who struggles to cope with low morale, be assured you're not alone. Losses in enthusiasm are particularly common after the initial six or twelve month honeymoon period.
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In order to change your thinking, a complete about face in mental attitude is rarely necessary. Sometimes the tiniest shift can have a ripple effect and transform your perspective in a flash..
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We tend to think that its success that makes us happy, but new research shows happiness may in fact attract success!
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In a world where the boundaries between need and want are blurred, it can be hard to stay grateful for what you have. Recently the importance of being thankful struck home in a major way.
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If your work motivation work is flagging, the chances are distractions are contributing to the problem.
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It is easy for soloists, particularly new ones, to be aggressively attached to their beliefs and business principles. But what if those beliefs are too limiting?
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Spouses, families and friends of the solopreneur and even budding solopreneurs themselves often wonder, what are the qualities that ensure success when going it alone?
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We have good working relationships with some people and not with others. Why is that? The Myers- Briggs Personality Type Indicator is a method whereby we can describe our personality preferences and understand our differences.
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Solo business owners have an opportunity to build real relationships with customers. This gives us a genuine competitive advantage. So it's time to say goodbye to the idea of projecting the brand positioning and attitude of a big business.
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In this deadline-free week, instead of focusing on one task after the next, numb to everything except the pressure of finishing tasks on time, I have had time to ponder, to think, to observe...and time for feeling inspired.
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As a soloist, it's normal to have the odd day where you aren't feeling motivated. The phone doesn't ring, the diary is uncomfortably blank and the bank account looks bleak. Try these seven tips to boast morale and get motivated.
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Are you one of the sole traders who responded to the recent poll by saying that your own business is a fun free zone? If you're not loving being a sole trader, try asking yourself these questions.
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No-one is more in need of survival tips than those working from home. When the time comes for you to start out on your own, you feel excited and frightened at the same time. You're inspired, though, by other self employed people. They've taken the plunge
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We all get turned down from time to time, but while managing rejection can be hard, each time it occurs we have the opportunity improve our business skills and learn more about our ourselves.
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One of the most confronting issues you face when starting your own business is staying motivated to keep going without the enthusiasm and encouragement of work colleagues around you.
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In these days of people disconnecting from traditional advertising, it's more important than ever to excite your clients with genuine enthusiasm for your product. When it comes to business ethics and authenticity, how does your solo business shape up?
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A theory of happiness that, I feel, sits well with the soloist’s pursuits has been developed by Martin Seligman, a US academic and the leading proponent of new psychological field, Positive Psychology.
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If you are enticed by the idea of being self employed, you need to be realistic about what it entails.
If you’re just starting out, or you’re wondering why on earth you thought this was a good idea, read on.
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The moral of showing appreciation for the impact others have on your life is ably demonstrated by the story of Charles Plumb.
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Not on top of your game? Finding it hard to concentrate? Intervention could be the order of the day to overcome a lack of motivation at work.
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In many ways, 'Six rules to help you love your work' is a terrible title for
this article as many soloists - including me – come out in a rash when they see the word ‘rules’.
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When it comes to “success”, overt
wealth is sadly the prevailing measure. The money-is-God dogma prevails: Financial decisions drive government and business actions. Does money equal happiness?
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Social responsibility (SR) is not just for the big end of the town. It's about behaving ethically as a person and as a business.
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If you take responsibility for your reaction to external events, you will be able to take control of your emotions. You will be amazed by the power of positive thinking!
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Traditional business wisdom has nurtured several myths, which solo business owners need to challenge in order to flourish. Rather than try to be all things to all people, soloists need to emphasise their best business asset, being a unique business.
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Loneliness is usually one of the least talked about elements of working alone. Here are some strategies for handling this common phenomenon.
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A strong sense of freedom is undoubtedly one of the key appeals of working for yourself, and discipline helps us keep it all together.
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Conventional business may have dominated in the past, but today, soloists must redefine business values. Read on to find out more about rehumanising business.
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Is bigger really better? More and more soloists are challenging the traditional definition of a business entrepreneur and appreciating the benefits of keeping things small and doing it their way.