The Loneliness Epidemic for Entrepreneurs is Real (And what to do about it)

LinkedIn recently reminded me of a startling truth: There's an epidemic of loneliness among entrepreneurs.

In fact, studies show a staggering 60% of entrepreneurs and business owners grapple with loneliness or isolation. The culprits? The relentless pressure of daily decision-making and the absence of a true peer network.

This hit home for me just days ago. As you may be aware, I shared a post about my two-decade battle with financial stress as a business owner. The response? Overwhelming.

The flood of public comments and private messages from fellow entrepreneurs sharing their own struggles was both stunning and eye-opening.

Why? Because being a business owner is brutal.

Yet, for the most part, no one wants to openly admit this online (likely because it's not as "sexy" as talking about a 7-figure exit that happened in 18 months. You know, the stuff that occurs with .0001% of actual businesses ??).

So instead of being more open, we're conditioned to keep our chins up, radiate endless positivity, and "never let them see you sweat."

Sure, there's a time and place for each. But this I know to be true:

Humans were NOT built for isolation.

We're wired for connection, understanding, and shared experiences.

When no one seems to get your struggles, loneliness creeps in. It's insidious, snowballing until it threatens to bury you alive.

4 Ways to Combat the Loneliness Bug

The solution? Here are a few suggestions:

1.?? Find your lifeline. Every entrepreneur needs a sounding board, coach, or mentor. Don't have one? Get one. Now. It's not a luxury; it's survival.

2.?? Remember you're not alone in your doubts. Most business owners are drowning in them. The great ones? They turn that doubt into fuel for action.

3.?? Ditch the "fake it till you make it" fa?ade with your team. Show them you're human - frustrated, scared, uncertain. Calculated vulnerability isn't weakness; it's the essence of true leadership and team-building.

4.?? Realize social media is a mirage. That entrepreneur with that "perfect" life? Yeah, it's smoke and mirrors. What's public is never the full story.

I say these things because if you're out there drowning right now, I want you to know I feel you.

You're not alone. At all.

But don’t forget the grit that got you this far.

So take a step back and breathe.

Acknowledge your wins, no matter how small.

And, of course, take action.

Reach out to fellow entrepreneurs.

Join a mastermind group.

Hire a coach who's walked your path.

But don't you dare stand still.

It’s time to move, and that path is meant to be walked with others.

Cheering you on,

Marcus

PS: I'll speak at INBOUND for the 12th straight year in?two weeks. If you're going to be there, make sure you let me know, I'd love to shake your hand. Also, my talk is filling up fast, so sign up if you haven't already: Content Marketing in the Post-Google Apocolypse

PS#2: Currently, I'm scheduled to speak at 13 events between now and the end of the year, but I still have some spots open, especially in November. If you're looking for a sales/marketing/leadership/AI speaker or workshop this year or next, reach out today and let me know what you're looking for. About 35% of the programs I give aren't found on my speaker website, but rather are built custom for that singular event. So let me know what you're thinking and let's see if we can design something together.