The #Biking Off-Season: 4 Powerful Lessons for Solopreneurs

For most small business owners that service other businesses, the end of the year involves some kind of lull. Even if your “to-do” list remains long, the end of December will inevitably see many of your clients and collaborators on vacation. So taking a real break from work may be the best option. Similarly, those of us biking in temperate climates have to close out our season. Most will put our bikes away or on the inside trainer. A few of us will stubbornly hang on to the season. Instead, it may be better to pause and change one’s pace. At the end of the year, I advise both my fellow bikers and business owners to follow a few best practices.

1.      Celebrate good times and successes – As an experienced bike rider who uses technology all day, good opportunities exist to celebrate success on the bike. For example, I find that the #Strava app and community provides a great way to get some recognition for my dedication to biking. 

I’m not aware of a similar app for small business owners. As a #solopreneur, do you really take the time to adequately celebrate your successes? The process can be even more problematic if you’ve had had a mixed year. In this case, it is still important to take stock and celebrate what went well. By doing so, you can hone in on and affirm your point of difference, positioning yourself better for the future. \

2.      Gain some perspective. I must admit to being myopically focused on the upcoming weekend weather for biking. For most of the year, I have a habit of checking the weather forecast up to seven days in advance. I need decent weather on weekends so that I can fit in longer rides that will get me to my next mileage threshold for the year. the cold weather, I find that I’m much better off resetting my expectations and making time for other things. I had other hobbies before becoming a passionate biker, interests that I need to nurture, as I won’t be biking forever. Hard as it is to break habits for a few months, I learn to appreciate the winter lull.

Likewise in business, I have learned the hard way that plugging along through the holidays with a task orientation does not pay. While it’s good to be client-focused, you reach a point of diminishing returns if clients are focused on the holidays. If you do decide to work through part of the holidays, I recommend more variety than routine, mixing in more personal time and even changing your actual physical work location. Remember that the world won’t end if you’re not constantly checking your email each day.

3.      Regroup and retool.  I often ride 100 miles or more each week during June, July August. This time of year, with rain, snow and cold, my partial obsession with mileage is simply pointless. Rather than pushing for some reduced weekly goal, I find that a “full stop” is better.  Instead of focusing on the remaining 2017 rides, I try to think about next year’s goals. Besides another year of 3,000+ miles, what might other realistic goals be? What new equipment investments do I want to make? What real change can I make so that biking is as enjoyable and challenging as ever? 

Similarly in business, one needs to do some planning before January 1st. What is one ongoing challenge in your business, and at least one thing you can commit to doing differently in 2018? Then spend some time thinking about your long-term direction, I find it helpful to periodically reread this Harvard Business Review article on redefining your personal brand. https://hbr.org/2011/03/reinventing-your-personal-brand Once you’ve confirmed or modified your direction, you should focus on investments you can make in your business. For more on this topic, check out item #4 from a similar post that I published a little over a year ago.

4.      Be Open to Opportunities. Notwithstanding my efforts to shift focus, there are winter days in the New York area warm enough to ride. Especially with the right clothes and shorter distances, I enjoy riding on a still, cold and sunny day.

In business, the holidays can seem quiet, but opportunities for can present themselves at surprising times. As you attend social events, keep an open eye meeting someone who would be a good connection later.

With global warming, the weather is unpredictable, so the biking season is never really “over.” Still, it’s best to take some time to enjoy the positive aspects of winter - or a business lull. Before you know it, spring will be here!