How Working From Home Could Be Holding Your Business Back

Working for yourself can be quite lonely. It can, of course, be brilliant at the same time, because you don’t have to worry about running ideas past other people, you choose your own hours, and you’re in absolute control. Working for yourself also means you can focus on what you’re great at.

But… You’re not great at everything. Sorry about that. Although, if it helps, no-one is. Not only are you running a business by doing what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what makes you money, you are also now the Head of Customer Service, Head of Marketing, Head of Finance, Head of IT… I think you get the picture. Still, all these jobs — Head of Support, Head of Sales — are now your jobs.

Yes, there are books you can read, search engines to help find answers, but often it’s a struggle to find the empathy you need from the right people. Or those answers are from people who are so far removed from your business that it’s difficult to relate to them. Also, books, blogs, etc talk to you. Who’s listening to your voice?

If there is one thing that I want you to take away from this post, it is that: Working for yourself doesn’t mean you have to work by yourself.

Get yourself out into an environment where there are other people who are working for themselves. It absolutely doesn’t matter what industry they’re in either. You could be a Web Designer chatting with an Accountant. You could be a Plumber talking with an Events Organiser. Ultimately, the service they provide isn’t what’s so important here. What is important is the sharing of ideas around growing a business that can help you to build yours.

Action Plan

Either through networking events, a coworking space, get yourself out to a place where are other people who get the challenges you’re going to face.

Not all the time, of course, working for yourself has its advantages like being on your own to work in silence if that’s your thing. But, at the times when you need more than your four walls to give you your answers, go out there and find them in a face to face environment.

Work for yourself, not by yourself.

You can learn so much from other people that will help your business to grow.

This post originally appeared at http://www.edagoodman.com/how-your-four-walls-are-holding-your-business-back/