There are many things I love about being a #solopreneur. I like answering to myself. I like giving my ideas legs. I like meeting people, creating things, making my own schedule, and simply trying such a venture.
But there are things I miss about the nine-to-five. I loved working full time (not only because of the salary and benefits). I loved the people and the predictability – I knew what to expect when I got to work every morning. I loved the sense of belonging, of being on a team. Of collaborating with people, bouncing ideas off my office-mates, making decisions together. I loved the rhythm and parameters – dressing every day, going to the office, having an idea of what I would accomplish. I guess I loved that things were organized. There were often curveballs and new developments, but the basic structure was steady.
Esther Perel talks about two basic human needs: for adventure and predictability. Both can be part of self-employment and conventional employment. In my young self employment experience, there’s more adventure than stability. Sometimes I miss the stability.
But what is it that I miss, specifically? When I think about full time work, what do I remember most fondly? Can I create any of those qualities while working for myself?
People. I can find other people to share coworking space. I can set up work/study dates with friends. I can work in a cafe or library around people. I can use my network of entrepreneurs, professionals, friends and more to ask questions and get feedback.
Routine & Rhythm. I can put myself on a schedule of getting up and “starting work” at the same time every morning. I can schedule maintenance/ongoing projects for certain times, and new projects/creative work for other times.
Structure. As a solopreneur, you can do the same work from your bed in your pajamas as from a cafe in a blazer. You don’t have to go anywhere, and sometimes that feels stagnant. I can create a dedicated work space in my home. I can designate certain days to working outside of the home. I can decide not to work in pajamas.
How do you balance adventure and predictability in your life?
(photo source here.)
