by Greg Hilton | Sep 13, 2024 | Good Stuff, Knowledge Bomb, SOCO Members, Why We Hustle
Cofounder Greg Hilton shares his take on the “rules of engagement” for working with others. 😂 😭 😍
People: Can’t Work With Them, Can’t Succeed Without Them
When’s the last time you got something big done all by yourself? It happens, but it’s rare. Why? Because we’re social creatures? And big, hard, scary things are best done with others. .
I’ve spent my professional life in client services, nearly 12 years (whaaat?) building the SOCO Community, 10+ years serving clients at Period Three and nearly 20 years working to build a stronger, more connected entrepreneurial community in my adopted home state of South Carolina (particularly in Columbia, SC). I’ve seen every kind of human and personality. I’ve worked with stellar ones and really despicable ones.
We’re All In The People Business
I’ve been thinking a lot how so much of my success can be linked back to working with people I really trust and strong relationships. If you look back at your most successful interactions with others, you’ll notice patterns and commonality. Over time, I’ve learned to try and leverage a set of values or rules whenever I work with others.
The 10 Immutable Laws of Working With Others
Here’s my take on how to find success in working with other people, whether as a boss, a client, a partner or a collaborateur (or collaboratrice).
#1: Live The Golden Rule (Even When Other’s Don’t)
Regardless of how people treat you, do your best to treat them the way you want to be treated. I’ve found that if you give it out (in whatever form), you’ll get it back more often than not. But, It’s your value…not necessarily everyone else’s
#2: Boundaries Are Table Stakes
Boundaries are absolutely REQUIRED to have a healthy and productive relationship with someone. But, it’s on you if you don’t communicate and enforce those boundaries.
#3: Clarity Is Kindness
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen small miscommunications end up turning into major issues down the line. You want to get more out of people? Communicate clearly. Be clear. Set clear expectations.
#4: Accountability is Another Love Language
Everyone talks a good game, but I’ve found that almost everyone benefits from having a little accountability in their lives. Most of us struggle to be accountable for ourselves. So, help the folks in your circle honor their commitments b/c you care about them. If you business partner isn’t living up to their end of the bargain, it is your OBLIGATION to have that painful conversation with them. #sorrynotsorry
#5: Behavior is a Language
“Watch What They Do, Not What They Say” is a classic line that is so so so very true. Work with people that actually speak with their actions. Hat tip to Ley Linder on this one, who’s taught me a ton about behavioral analysis.
#6: Shared Values Are More Important Than Ever
You can work with people that might not share your perspective on things. Hell that’s healthy and can create some amazing results (in creative work for example). But, I think it’s hard to work with people (like in the trenches work) with whom you don’t share some fundamental commonality in values.
#7: Seek To Understand
To get the most out of people, try to understand what drives and motivates them. You’re likely to get a much better outcome having this knowledge in hand. And remember, every single person you work with at some stage in your relationship is going through some stuff that’s rocking their world.
#8: Avoid Selfish People
Actively avoid those that don’t put other’s needs first. I don’t mind “enlightened self-interest”, but there are those people who cannot help but figure out what THEY can get out of the situation first. That doesn’t lead to long-term trust (or results).
#9: Share Ideas Freely
Some folks want to lead. Some folks want to follow. But almost everyone wants to be a part of something meaningful. So, be the person that drops big ideas that inspire people to think and act differently.
#10: Be Kind
Just be kind people. Don’t let people take advantage of you, but put kindness into the world.
Speaking of Teams… 🏕️ 🤝🏽 🙌
Looking to crank up the ole’ collaboation? SOCO is a great kickstarter for you or your team. From workspace, to social/professional networking and peer mentoring groups…we’re building a community purpose built to support ambitious working professionals like you. Hope you’ll join us today! And don’t forget about our fabulous meeting rooms that are designed to help your team crush more meetings.
by Greg Hilton | Aug 12, 2024 | Good Stuff, Knowledge Bomb, SOCO Members, Why We Hustle
Cofounder Greg Hilton shares his take on the 6 kinds of people you need on your entrepreneurial (or professional journey).
Go It Alone, At Your Peril!
Building something awesome can be a super lonely road.
But, that’s your own fault because it doesn’t have to be. You can go it alone, but that’s a: stupid 👎 and b: unlikely to get you where you want to go 🙃. It’s all about your support tribe, your inspirations, your accountability partners and the people you learn from. For years, I was enamored by the idea that I was a rogue agent pushing against a machine that I didn’t believe in working against the grain to create something different. This led me to think I could do it on my own and I didn’t need help (it also resulted in underperformance if I’m being honest). I’m thankful to have “evolved” from that state of mind with the help of some coaching and some social support.
Who’s In Your Village?
I think there are 5 kinds of people you need to have on your journey to do big things and make an impact. We’ll go through each of them and hit us up on the socials or in the blog comments if we’ve missed anyone major?
#1: The mama (figure)
She (or he) doesn’t even know what you do, but supports you 100%. We all need someone who NEVER gives up on us and supports even our wildest ideas and ambitions, regardless of what they are.
Advice: Check in regularly with them…especially when you’re having a bad day. They are that dose of sunlight you need on the dark days.
#2: The (Keepin’ It Real) Life Partner
They believe in you, but have to live with you every day. They might not understand what you’re sacrificing or going through, but a lot of times you’re doing it for them. They’re a litmus test for your mental and emotional well-being. Let’s face it, if you’re stressed at work, you’re not checking that sh*t at the door as well as you think you are.
Advice: Keep them informed and don’t forget to share the wins too (because your daily updates can get a little negative sometimes).
#3: The Peer(s)
They’re on the path you’re walking, maybe a little ahead, maybe a little behind…but they understand the journey. And that’s the key. They’ve been in the trenches and your struggles are theirs. There is incredible comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Hat tip to Benjamin Culbreth for noting that this group can be super casual and social and that that’s important to the fabric of your entire journey.
Advice: If you’re not meeting and talking regularly with a group of professional peers, get you some. It can be informal for moral or social support, or it can get more formalized (here’s how we do it at SOCO).
#4: The Mentors
These are the folks that are way down that road. They’ve found success, they’ve made all the mistakes and they understand what’s at stake. They have the attitude of “paying it forward” and can love you enough to give you the brutal feedback you need. They open doors, they speak into you. These folks, for me, have really helped to push me forward.
Advice: Pop your head up, check on your linkedin network and find a handful of people that you’re connected to that you respect. Chances are, whether they’re in your industry or not, they have some insights to share with you. Start with coffee (you buy) and see where it goes. A formal mentoring experience is a larger investment, so test the waters first. 😎
#5: The Inspirations
These are the folks shining their light on the entire world, doing inspired or incredible things or at the very top of their games. You probably don’t know them, but you can still learn from them. They’ve found a way to set aside the small details to focus on a 10X vision (and they’ve probably chronicled that approach somewhere). They give us something to aspire towards, even if we’ll never actually meet them in person.
Advice: Find the best and the brightest out there in our planet of 8 billion souls and follow their journeys and commentary. They probably have a blog, podcast or books that can help keep you engaged and inspired.
#6: The Cheerleader (Honorable Mention)
He/she knows what you do, knows how much you pour in to it, and is always ready to encourage you to keep going.
Contributor: Naomi Sargent – Chief Operating Officer, One Spartanburg, inc
Looking For Your Village? 🏕️ 🤝🏽 🙌
Listen. Making friends or building a network as an adult can be hard. We’ve got you covered at SOCO. From workspace, to social/professional networking and peer mentoring groups…we’re building a community purpose built to support ambitious working professionals like you. Hope you’ll join us today!
by Greg Hilton | Aug 12, 2024 | Good Stuff, Knowledge Bomb, SOCO Members, Why We Hustle
SOCO Members Share Tools, Tactics and Topics They’re Exploring To Make Life and Work Improvements.
What Is “1% Every Day”?
Around here, we’re passionate about growth, development and being your best self. Whether that’s personal growth or professional growth, we really subscribe to the 1% Every Day concept. That idea simply states that if you continue to invest in yourself and improving every day (or week or month, you get the idea), that over time, you can achieve transformative change and astonishing growth.
But getting started can be scary. At first, the changes will seem insignificant. But when repeated over a long period of time, these small daily improvements add up to a significant change in just a year.
But, how do you get there? And how do you keep yourself accountable for that level of commitment? We talked with some of our members in the SOCO community about the tools, tactics and growth opportunities they’re interested in right now. There’s great wisdom in the collective, so we asked members three questions around what their learning, what their focused on and what tools they’re using to push forward and keep growing. We hope you enjoy!
#1: What book, podcast, or video has given you an “aha” moment, and why? 🔥
Too many to count! Most of my recs are entrepreneurial-focused.
1. Profit First (Mike Michalowicz)- There’s already a cult-following for this book at SOCO. Great lesson or reminder that the point of owning a company is to serve YOU.
2. I Will Teach You to Be Rich (Ramit Sethi)- a good personal finance book. Sethi is a newer Dave Ramsey, but his ideas on automating personal finances is crucial. This is my go-to gift for HS and College graduates.
3. How to Get Rich (Felix Dennis)-Ignore the cheesy title again, but you notice a trend. An entertaining read with snippets that are geared towards entrepreneurs that are building something great.
Elissa Macarin: Senior Manager of Design, DxTEL
The SOCO book club books have really been taking me out of my “comfort” reading genres and it’s been a lot of fun to just read!
I really enjoy reading Monocle magazine and frequently have “aha moments” while reading their reporting on quality of life innovations in cities around the world — not just world capitals but other cities of note. I believe they also have podcasts.
Radical Candor. I was sent the book when I started my new job. It’s about leadership and it gave me good perspective for working with others.
Christina Goodman: Owner, Visual Brand Specialist, Artvark Creative
I am always inspired by makers who share their creative process online whether they work in pottery, smithing, or leatherwork, it inspires me to do my own projects when I see other folk being creative.
#2: What’s a life-changing tool you’d recommend to fellow SOCO members?
Witt:
A thorough calendar. This rec is for the younger, disorganized crowd like me. Life and business is too busy to not write stuff down. I use Google Calendar because my whole life is essentially on G-Suite, but I like that I can look at my work and personal calendar simultaneously. My goal is to be able to block out my work calendar for the benefit of my personal calendar, and not the other way around.
Elissa:
Take naps, sometimes your brain/body just really need to shut down and reset and that’s OK!
Ernest:
Actually, I have found watching the YouTube channel Primitive Technology hugely transformative. A man working in the Australian Outback builds shelters and tools with nothing but the material found in the area. The only modern instrument is the camera he uses to record his activities. The videos are not narrated — except with captions — and they are fascinating and grew my appreciation for individual resourcefulness and commitment to salvaging and recycling material.
Jared:
Prioritizing relaxation in your daily schedule. We all need to unwind.
Christina:
I’ve been really loving brain.fm. It’s an app that uses audio frequencies to help increase focus-especially for neurodivergent folk. It’s almost annoying that it works so well. 🙂
#3: What is one area of growth you are focusing on this year, and what are you doing about it?
Witt:
My year follows the school year, so this is a great time to reflect and “manifest” those growth goals. It’s morbid, but if I died tomorrow, BrainSTEM Tutoring would die with me and come to a screeching halt. A less morbid case, if I wanted to travel to Italy next year for my best friend’s destination wedding, would I be glued to my phone/laptop the whole time, or would I be able to unplug and business things keep chugging along? My goal for growth will be to continue to expand BrainSTEM Tutoring to be the go-to STEM tutors at more colleges in the southeast while pulling myself out of the day to day.
Elissa:
Get outside A LOT more! (When it’s not a million degrees out) and just move.
Ernest:
I am slowly working on building my understanding of data science and its applications.
Jared:
Professional growth. Just became certified as an educator for personal Finance, and just learning more areas of the space in general.
Christina Goodman:
I am pushing past fear and imposter syndrome to submit my own short fiction stories to magazines for publication. I celebrate every rejection (got four in July) as a win-along-the-way.
Speaking of Growth ✨
While we’re on the subject of growth, doing your best work and generally being a bad-assed human…we think you should come find your happy (work) place with us at SOCO. We work really hard to create great workspaces filled with excellent, kind humans, chock-full of amenities like blazing wifi, bottomless coffee/tea and well appointed meeting rooms. We have coworking, fixed desk and private office options. We also have an incredible community of like-minded professionals to lean on, leverage and contribute to (that’s the fun part). Join us whydontcha?
by soco_admin | Jun 19, 2024 | Featured, Good Stuff, Knowledge Bomb, News & Notes, Why We Hustle
10 Books That Can Help You Recharge, Reset and Exit Summer Ready to Conquer the World
Whitney Balish: Cruise Director, SOCO
What’s Your Plan This Summer? 💤 ☀️ 🏄
Travel? Relaxation? Working on those fitness goals? Sleeping for 2 months? You best have some personal growth in there!
Whatever your plans, summer is always an interesting time. The world slows down a little bit and we veer from our normal work, hustle and parenting routines (for those who know, you know). We see it over here at SOCO (and actually love it). But, the work, personal growth and improvement shouldn’t just stop.
This summer, we’d like to challenge you to invest in the idea that summer is also about personal growth for you. So, how can you keep moving forward, even when things slow down? With some great personal development books. We’ve picked out some winners that will help you make progress without feeling like you’re “reading a work book”. 🫠
10 Books With Our “Hot Take” On Their Value 🔥
We have some avid readers around here and we’re always looking to soak up some new knowledge that will help us do better work without sacrificing our personal time (or sanity). Each book below provides unique strategies to help recharge your mind, reset your routines, and approach the fall with renewed energy and purpose. These books are engaging, easy to read, and filled with valuable lessons that can be easily integrated into your daily life for you to start fall with your best foot forward.
by Brigid Schulte
Our Take: For when you are struggling with work life balance, a fun and funny read.
From Good Reads: Overwhelmed is a book about time pressure and modern life. It is a deeply reported and researched, honest and often hilarious journey from feeling that, as one character in the book said, time is like a “rabid lunatic” running naked and screaming as your life flies past you, to understanding the historical and cultural roots of the overwhelm, how worrying about all there is to do and the pressure of feeling like we’re never have enough time to do it all, or do it well, is “contaminating” our experience of time, how time pressure and stress is resculpting our brains and shaping our workplaces, our relationships and squeezing the space that the Greeks said was the point of living a Good Life: that elusive moment of peace called leisure.
#2: Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less
by Tiffany Dufu
Our Take: How to delegate and let some things go. You can achieve more by doing less. Drop The Ball is a must read.
From Good Reads: A bold and inspiring memoir and manifesto from a renowned voice in the women’s leadership movement who shows women how to cultivate the single skill they really need in order to thrive: the ability to let go.
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Our Take: Nurture your creativity and curiosity. Habits and processes for living your most creative life.
From Good Reads: Gilbert offers insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration in Big Magic. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.
#4: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
by James Clear
Our Take: Our first SOCO book club pick! Members of our community including myself loved the framework this provides to make small positive changes with a big impact.
From Good Reads: No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
#5: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
by Greg McKeown
Our Take: Declutter your mind and focus on what really matters. We liked this so much, we did a Communal Podcast on the subject.
From Good Reads: The Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done. It is not a time management strategy, or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter.
#6: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
by Cal Newport
Our Take: Being able to focus without distraction? This isn’t just a skill it is a super power.
From Good Reads: One of the most valuable skills in our economy is becoming increasingly rare. If you master this skill, you’ll achieve extraordinary results.
Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It’s a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Deep work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship. In short, deep work is like a super power in our increasingly competitive twenty-first century economy. And yet, most people have lost the ability to go deep-spending their days instead in a frantic blur of e-mail and social media, not even realizing there’s a better way.
by Stephen R Covey
Our Take: It is a classic for a reason. If you haven’t read this yet consider it your sign to do so. This books breaks down the 7 principles for being your best self and some of the smartest people we know swear by this book.
From Good Reads: When Stephen Covey first released The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the book became an instant rage because people suddenly got up and took notice that their lives were headed off in the wrong direction; and more than that, they realized that there were so many simple things they could do in order to navigate their life correctly. This book was wonderful education for people, education in how to live life effectively and get closer to the ideal of being a ‘success’ in life.
#8: Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less
by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Our Take: With science and insights, rest is work too and you NEED it (and Rest is the book you’ve been missing).
From Good Reads: Overwork is the new normal. Rest is something to do when the important things are done-but they are never done. Looking at different forms of rest, from sleep to vacation, Silicon Valley futurist and business consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang dispels the myth that the harder we work the better the outcome. He combines rigorous scientific research with a rich array of examples of writers, painters, and thinkers—from Darwin to Stephen King—to challenge our tendency to see work and relaxation as antithetical. “Deliberate rest,” as Pang calls it, is the true key to productivity, and will give us more energy, sharper ideas, and a better life. Rest offers a roadmap to rediscovering the importance of rest in our lives, and a convincing argument that we need to relax more if we actually want to get more done.
by Gretchen Rubin
Our Take: Life is short and you need to focus on what really matters. This book focuses on the author’s experiences with happiness and offers advice on how to be your happiest self. And let’s face it…with the complexities of life, work, family, kids and the greater world…we could all use a little more.
From Good Reads: Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.
#10: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
by Susan Cain
Our Take: Greetings from your resident introvert! There are actually a lot of us and actually a lot of advantages to being one. 😂
From Good Reads:
At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.
In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.
In Conclusion
Summer is a time to slow it down, but also to catch up on some of the “work” we all need to do to show up in our jobs, for our families and our community. So, pick three of these books that resonate with you and where you are on the journey and read one per month. You owe it to yourself to hit that reset button whilst sipping a pina colada by your inflatable pool. 🏖️
Speaking of Happiness ✨
While we’re on the subject of happiness, doing your best work and generally being a bad-assed human…we think you should come find your happy (work) place with us at SOCO. We work really hard to create great workspaces filled with excellent, kind humans, chock-full of amenities like blazing wifi, bottomless coffee/tea and well appointed meeting rooms. We have coworking, fixed desk and private office options. Hell. You can just come for a day or book a meeting room for that next creative sesh. Come check us out and see if you don’t do better work here.
About The Author
Whitney Balish is a Columbia, SC native and the “Cruise Director” over here at SOCO, responsible for marketing, business development and member services. She’s a self-identified introvert and bibliophile, reading nearly 60 books a year. When she’s not crushing the pages, she’s busy creating great community over here at SOCO and finding ways to help our members win.
by soco_admin | Jun 7, 2024 | Featured, Good Stuff, Knowledge Bomb, News & Notes, Why We Hustle
How I take time off as a solopreneur without crying or getting fired by all my clients
Guest Post by Ben Culbreth, Culbreth Copywriting
Flexibility. The Great Entrepreneurial Myth? Maybe
Time off. Flexibility. Work wherever you want. Travel.
These are the things we, the freelancers and solopreneurs, believe we’ll bask in when we embark on this journey. Then it happens. You’re halfway through the summer, scrolling on Instagram and you see all your 9-to-5 friends on a vacation. They’re having a great time. No laptop in sight.
Meanwhile, the last vacation you took caused even more work because your Airbnb’s spotty WiFi constantly disconnected. You lost time on projects you said “wouldn’t take much time,” and we all know how that goes. So, you came back less rested and refreshed than you were before.
My friends, there’s a bit of a problem with taking time off in this country. And maybe no one struggles with the eternal battle of actually enjoying the perks of not having a PTO plan more than those who are in the business of themselves.
5 Strategies To Take Time Off That You Can Do 🔥
Let’s go through some ways that I’ve taken time off without curling up in the fetal position when I return to work. Am I the leading expert on how to take vacations as a solopreneur? Maybe. I’m still waiting for LinkedIn to get back to me. But until then, just know I don’t have this all down to a science.
Some of these things may work great for you. Some won’t. But the only way to find out is by giving this time off thing the old college try. And when you look back, I have a sneaking suspicion you won’t say be upset about taking more time off.
#1: Build your boundaries ⛔
Before I could start taking time off without dragging my laptop around, I had to learn why it’s important to set really solid boundaries with clients.
I used to take on last-minute projects or respond to requests right away. Not only is this not a great way to run a business, but it’s exhausting and sets the expectation with clients that you’re always available.
Then, it’s a shock to them when you suddenly go on vacation and don’t respond. That’s a them problem, but it’s a you (and me) problem, too. If you give them the idea that you’re available even when you’re off or never off, they will treat you as such.
Even when I’m not on vacation or off work, I still focus on these boundaries. So, I:
- Rarely reply to emails right away, and I push back on last-minute requests (those go away pretty quickly when “No” becomes a regular part of your business buzzwords).
- Don’t respond to emails at night or after hours.
- Stopped taking on last-minute requests and plan projects much further in advance.
If you’re like me, you might think about what could happen if stop doing these things. What if you miss an important email at 9:30 PM? (hint: you won’t).
Once you start enforcing boundaries, people, including you, tend to respect them.
#2a: Plan way, way ahead 🗓️
My vacation time is a little easier because I’m married to a teacher. The dates we travel are well defined and planned over a year in advance by the fine folks at the school district.
That’s mostly good because it means we’re often on vacation at the same time as everyone else.
But if you’re like me and have monthly retainer clients with a set list of deliverables every month, you’re probably wondering if you need to pack your laptop to keep everything moving and get paid.
I did that at one point. It wasn’t fun.
Now, I do all the work at the end of the vacation. My clients (and I imagine most of yours) are fine with this. If I’m going to be away for two weeks or more, I let customers know at least two months in advance.
I also bring them a plan for how the work will get done. I think that’s the most important part of effectively taking time off. For one thing, it helps you know exactly what needs to be done. It also communicates to your client that you’re thinking about what they need and taking the planning off their plate.
#2b: Be Really Clear. Clarity is Kindness 📣
When I went to Europe last summer, I contacted my retainer clients and told them what was happening. I let them know the dates that I’d be off from work. I made sure that they all understood what was going on, how it would impact them, what they could/could not expect and had a chance to process. And this next part is very important, so read it very carefully.
I told them I would have no access to email. No matter how hard they tried, they would not be able to reach me (gasp!).
Then, I outlined the deliverables due while I was gone. I provided an updated timeline of when I’d deliver the work and allowed enough time for feedback and edits before I left.
I got zero pushback on this plan. Was it a lot of work before the trip? Yes. But it meant I could relax in my coach seat on the flight and not worry about getting things done or what days I would need to work while we were away.
And I cannot understate how different a mindset this is compared to a working vacation.
#3: Delete your email (or go somewhere it won’t work) ❌
One of my toxic traits is that I’m very tempted to check my email. Gen Z automatically clicks TikTok when they’re on their phone; I click on Outlook.
It’s a habit I’ve slowly broken over the years, but it still has a strong hold on me. It’s like I crave the horror and nightmares that lurk in my inbox.
So, if I really want to unplug, I just delete the app. When it’s gone, the temptation to check it disappears, too. Problem solved. Plus, I’ve never come back to any horror or nightmares after doing this.
If you’re like one co-founder of SOCO and podcast host of Communal and deleting your email app is just not an option, consider going somewhere remote enough that no matter how many times you click refresh, you’ll never get those messages.
And pack bear spray, please.
#4: Plan for coming back to work 😿 vs 😺
This is a more challenging step because there’s enough work to do before you leave, much less planning for when you return.
But planning for what you’ll need to do when you return is just as important, maybe more so, than the pre-planning. I could have done this better on my last big vacation.
The tricky part about being a service-based solopreneur is for the most part, if we’re not working the business isn’t working.
So, when you take time off, the work stops but so does the marketing, business development, administrative work, you get the idea. Reach out to your existing clients before you leave and ask them what they’ll be working on when you return. Find out where they need support.
And tell your network about your time off and that you’ll be available for work when you return.
#5: Pick your Battles 🪖
Just about every entrepreneur has experienced the ebbs and flows of new projects and clients. So, at some point, you’ll probably find yourself in a season when you may need to work a bit while on vacation.
I know, I know; before you start calling me a hypocrite, hear me out.
Working on vacation doesn’t mean working the whole time. And it shouldn’t mean answering emails or doing low-value work.
Pick a time when you can work that still allows you to spend time with your family or whoever you’re with. Be intentional about what you do. Don’t fill those few short work hours with meaningless tasks you could do anytime.
Focus on high-value work that will actually benefit your business. Make the sacrifice of being a little plugged in worth it to you and the people who matter.
It’s that easy
Ha. I wish.
I still don’t have all this stuff figured out. And I still struggle to step away from work sometimes. If boundaries and real, unplugged vacations are a new thing, give yourself some grace. It’ll take a bit to figure out what’s best for you and you’ll learn how to do these things.
Now, go, thrive on your time off, and revel in the glory of a laptop left shut and an inbox unopened.
Need a Little More Inspiration? ✨
Need some more inspiration to throw your phone in the ocean? Check out Gene, Greg and Ben’s conversation on The Communal Podcast on this very topic. Fun, funny and full of good insights that might help YOU if you’re struggling to figure out why and how to do this elusive thing called “Time Off”.
About The Author
Ben Culbreth is a content strategist and copywriter and the only one who shows up for work at Culbreth Copywriting LLC. He helps folks develop branding and content strategies and writes copy for websites, emails, and customer stories. He lives in South Carolina. He’s been an active and passionate member of the SOCO Community. You can read his words and see his work at benjaminculbreth.com.
by Greg Hilton | May 10, 2024 | Featured, Good Stuff, Knowledge Bomb, Why We Hustle
How To Get Into “The Zone”, Find Peak Performance and Make Work Suck Less
Let’s Go To The Flow (State)
So, I’ve been doing creative work for years and if there’s one thing I know…it’s that there’s no better place or feeling than being in flow. For solopreneurs, self-employed individuals, and creative professionals, tapping into the elusive state of flow can be transformative. it can feel elusive or fleeting, but it doesn’t have to. In this guide, we’ll explore how understanding and harnessing flow state can revolutionize your productivity and creativity.
And if your income depends on you delivering, the stakes are high. But, we really do think you can create the conditions that lead to better outcomes and better work. So read on intrepid creator! ⛰️
Understanding Flow State
Coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow state is the pinnacle of focus and immersion in an activity. It’s that magical feeling of being “in the zone,” where time seems to vanish, distractions fade away, and productivity soars. But, how do you know when you’re there? You’ll know you’ve reached that nirvana when you’re experiencing any or all of the following:
- Intense Focus: You’re immersed completely in your work, shutting out distractions and honing in on the task at hand. The simplicity of being focused creates a warm bubble around you and nothing else really matters.
- Loss of Self-awareness: Experience a blissful detachment from self-consciousness and time, as you become absorbed in your work. Really tHis just means all the internal distractions have subsided or moved waaaay back in your mind.
- Effortless Action: Feel a sense of ease and fluency in your actions, where tasks seem to unfold effortlessly. Have you ever looked up from a project or skated it with a colleague and they were like “holy shit, this is a ton of work.” That’s the result when its “effortless”. I remember being in the zone on a outdoor tourism project I was working on. I pretty much mapped out and generated 50 pages of content in like 8 hours. The client couldn’t believe it.
- Timelessness: You enter a state where time becomes irrelevant, either flying by or standing still, as you remain engrossed in the present moment. We don’t recommend you miss too many drink and snack breaks, but when time is less relevant, cool things happen. I experience this timelessness in my personal life when I’m crafting outdoor furniture (a new hobby – obsession – of mine) I get so into it that I miss meals. It’s kind of magical.
- Intrinsic Motivation: You feel driven by an internal desire to excel and succeed in your endeavors. This is “embracing the challenge” with curiosity and child mind. You’ve pushed past the “I’ve got to get this done” due to some external pressure. You are in this for the craft and experience.
8 Strategies To Find, Sustain (and Revisit) Flow State 🔥
- Set Clear Goals: Define precise and attainable objectives for your projects to provide a roadmap for your efforts and maintain focus. And if you’re feeling froggy, make one of those goals to “experiment” with whatever you’re working on (see below). 🎯
- Match Challenge with Skill: Engage in tasks that leverage your abilities while presenting a moderate level of challenge to foster optimal conditions for flow. Listen. Here’s the magic. You can’t do things well that you’ve never done before so flow state happens when you’re leveraging your skills and pushing yourself just a little bit outside your comfort zone. So, My pal Gene Crawford equates this to the magic he experiences when he’s practicing martial arts. He’s put the work in for years so the flow and routine are there, but he’s taking this thing he does well and pushing himself to new limits. Sort of like the “1% every day” concept. 💪
- Minimize Distractions: Create a distraction-free workspace by silencing notifications, finding a quiet corner, and prioritizing uninterrupted work periods. To do deep work, you MUST eliminate distractions. On average distractions make anything we’re working on take 3X as long. So, do yourself a favor and turn it all off. The world will be okay and you owe it to whatever you’re working on (PS: And while you’re at it, come book one of our focus meeting rooms at SOCO – you’re welcome). 🎧
- Cultivate Deep Focus: Incorporate mindfulness practices like deep breathing and meditation into your routine to enhance concentration. This is a muscle and skill that most of us don’t have or is very weak. Stay fully present in your work, channeling your energy into the present moment to maximize focus and productivity. 🔬
Need help training your mind and body in simple ways to enter a more focused state. Tip: Try a mindfulness app like Headspace for 30 days and see how It impacts your days.
- Embrace Flow Triggers: Identify activities or rituals that consistently evoke flow state and incorporate them into your routine. Be prepared to launch, but one of my best flow triggers is when I open up Spotify and dial in the Calm Radio station. It triggers something in my brain that tells me “it’s time to focus, Greg”. Find your rituals and do them regularly before you get dialed in. 🚦
- Embrace Failure as Feedback: Listen. If you’re doing creative work (especially), better outcomes come from failure. Creating is an iterative process and you need to make time and space to experiment, fail and learn. Learn about “the child mind” and embrace this way of looking at whatever it is you’re working on. You’ll thank me for it. 💡
- Engage in Challenging Activities Regularly: Seek out opportunities that push your boundaries and expand your capabilities to strengthen your skill set. If you stay in your safe, comfortable space then you’ll have a lot of trouble creating great things. Get your mind and body comfortable being uncomfortable and you’ll unlock a lot more productivity and results. 🏋🏾♀️
- Chill Out With Rigid Structures: And maybe don’t try so hard to “architect” your perfect flow state. Here’s a great post from Dan Martin where he advocates for a less rigid approach to embracing your flow state. 🧊
Conclusion
By integrating these strategies into your regular work routine, you can cultivate an environment conducive to flow state, unlocking your full potential as a solo entrepreneur or creative professional. Embrace the journey of discovering and maintaining flow state, and enjoy the joy of doing great work again people. You’re worth it. 🫶🏽
Need a Little More Inspiration? ✨
Looking to stay in this flow state zen a little longer? Check out Gene and I’s recent conversation on the topic on The Communal Podcast here. We get into to our own personal practices, our struggles with Flow State and some tips we’ve picked up along the way.
About The Author:
Greg Hilton is the cofounder and managing partner for SOCO, SOCO is a thriving platform and community focused on supporting creators, indie workers and entrepreneurs just like you. He’s an avid outdoorsman, creator and storyteller. He’s also been self-employed and a business owner for nearly two decades and has worked with hundreds of solos, creators and entrepreneurs to help them lead better and more meaningful lives.
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