A Solopreneur’s offsite
I recently went for an offsite to reflect on how my journey as a coach has been over the last year. This was especially helpful as I returned with many learnings, clarity, and celebrations of small wins. Even though the initial idea of offsite seemed improbable, it evolved into a very important reflection space for me. The three things needed for the solopreneur offsite were:
1) A trusted mentor who wants you to win and can hold you accountable.
2) A clear objective and broad structure.
3) Positivity with a focus on what is working well to create momentum and energy for change.
I am truly grateful that this offsite happened. It was a platform to step out of myself and see what was happening.
“If you can only get to know the world by stepping out, and losing yourself in experience, you can only get to know the self by stepping back, and finding yourself in contemplation. One without the other leads to a kind of madness.” – Pico Iyer
Momentum is underestimated
There are times when we don’t feel like starting something. We wait until we feel we have the right emotions and mood to start something. For instance, I used to wait for inspiration to write this ThoughtLetter. Often, it would lead me to the nth-hour rush. I recently realized that more than inspiration, it is the momentum that makes things happen. Momentum does not happen by waiting for inspiration but by starting to do what you should.
“Keep moving ahead because action creates momentum, which in turn creates unanticipated opportunities.”- Nick Vujicic
Energy can be intimidating
A coaching client once complained about how he could not relate to his peers in his organization. His biggest disconnect was that some people seemed sluggish and lacked enthusiasm and drive. He wanted to do something that could ‘shake them’ up. Many capable leaders have tremendous energy and enthusiasm to move things faster inside an organization. Yet, they feel limited if their pace does not match others’. A bigger issue that goes unnoticed by these leaders is the impact they are having on others. Why is the leader seen as a bull in a china shop instead of being seen as charismatic? In such cases, I recommend that leaders put empathy before energy.
What are others’ priorities and challenges? Are they ready to follow the leader’s direction now?
How does the leader’s energy impact others? Does the leader unintentionally intimidate them?
What makes others come alive? Can the leader focus their energy on those areas?
Energy becomes contagious when deployed with empathy.
“When you show deep empathy toward others, their defensive energy goes down, and positive energy replaces it. That’s when you can get more creative in solving problems.” – Stephen Covey