Hello all...i'm not sure if flying solo is for me..

[richie@home]

hi all...i've been flying solo for more than half a year now...i decided to quit my full time job early last year, just before the eco downturn...was thinking that..yeah, why not give it a try whilst i'm still young...
i've got an online fashion website and now i'm working from home....probably because i'm just not used to working on my own, i feel like i need to talk to ppl....(thank god, there's online forum at leaast) or i might die of social deprivation.....

[Jexley]

Dude, depending on where you are, there are small business coffee meetups for a morning thing and beerups for the evenin' folk. Get out there and find other soloists and talk shop, the networking will be great for your business and the socialisation will be great for your sanity.

Good luck.

[SydneyWebService]

Richie,

I seconded Jexley. I myself just started about the same as yours. It always appear that flying solo was a mistake! But....as time goes by, even if you make a tiny micro achievement in a day, you will feel how talented you are, and this boosts your energy even more. So....keep flying solo, the key is, I think being persistent and not giving up (it may means the same thing )

[Lisa Murray - Biz Coach]

Also, it's great to break-up your day... I go out for a coffee when I have writing to do - a change of environment is usually good for inspiration! I'm lucky I see most of my clients in person. Other things you might consider are a mentoring or mastermind group and more formal networking events... whatever works for you - the most important thing is to actively build it into your week.

cheers
Lisa

[MissieK]

Hi & welcome

I agree with the others - have coffee meetings & attend networking events.

This is one thing I love about being a business mum - I HAVE to go out twice a day to drop the kids at school & pick them up. It gives me a break and I get a chance to talk to other Mums in the school yard.

Online forums are good too - though they can be addictive! Schedule time in your day - maybe coffee break time - so they don't take up too much of your work time.

Melissa

[BrightSpark]

I would suggest getting involved with your local Chamber of Commerce, Local council's business network, other networking organisations also Not knowing what state you are in but in Queensland the State Development also have some free and small cost training which you can go to as well. You might have to take up golf or some other sport to get in contact with the people that can be of assistance. Keep plodding along and it will become easier. If you can find another person outside of your industry that you can relate too buy them a cup of coffee or lunch and start picking their brains. Sometimes it is not until you are looking in from outside that it is possible what you have achieved and what still needs a bit of work.

[richie@home]

thanks for all your advice...

the problem is just that i live in the suburb,..it's not like i can just walk out and go to cafe and get a coffee...it takes me at least 20mins drive to get to a decent cafe...(but still, i have been doing it like twice a week already..'cos i just need to get out.......)

and i've been doing abit of reserach on networking and stuff....why are most events cost $$$?? any FREE stuff?

i'm from melbourne btw...

[Renee Barber]

Originally Posted by richie@home

thanks for all your advice...

the problem is just that i live in the suburb,..it's not like i can just walk out and go to cafe and get a coffee...it takes me at least 20mins drive to get to a decent cafe...(but still, i have been doing it like twice a week already..'cos i just need to get out.......)

and i've been doing abit of reserach on networking and stuff....why are most events cost $$$?? any FREE stuff?

i'm from melbourne btw...

Hi Richie, I've found that it usually costs some dosh to join formal networking groups, but you could always start your own informal group.

For me, being able to work from home is *the* best part of flying solo, but while I was reading your note, I had the idea that you might need to carefully explore why you're experiencing/feeling such social isolation and whether setting up shop outside of your home (at least part of the time) might be a better option for you.

[MissieK]

Where in Melbourne are you? Have you heard of Networking World? They have lots of events listed on their site (www.networkingworld.net.au).

Most councils run networking events that are low cost - check them out.

Melissa

[Hair]

Hi! Don't know if this will help but I'm a hairdresser (I'm assuming you're a fashion designer??) and I really felt the difference going from a very busy salon to working at home. So, I'm working 2 days a week teaching hair at a TAFE which gives me some interaction with co workers. Regardless of your occupation, have you thought about picking up a day or two in retail or at a cafe? Just something ELSE to do. I find some days I really appreciate my teaching job whereas other days I'm so happy to be looking after clients at home...

Van