Jeremy Kaplan
If you wish to be a sole practitioner in any industry, you probably have some characteristics and goals in common with many others who work solo. Chances are good that you have an independent spirit, and you may work best when you can do so autonomously. If this is the case, then you’ve likely made the right decision.
However, working as a sole practitioner comes with its own set of challenges. In order to weather a variety of inevitable career obstacles that are unique to people who work alone, you will need to apply certain strategies for success. Here are a few worth considering.
Always Keep Your Purpose in Mind
When you work on your own, losing sight of your ultimate objectives can be easy to do. Be very clear about what you are working for, what your goals are, and how you plan to achieve those goals. You don’t need to devise a complex mission statement that is difficult to remember. In fact – the less complicated your mission statement is, the better. Simplify your message as much as possible, so you will always work with your main objectives in mind – and so clients will know exactly what you can offer them.
Don’t Try to Do Everything
While you may be tempted to save money by performing every task yourself, you will probably sacrifice the growth of your business if you do that. Do the things that you do best, and hire others to do some of the other work for you. By relieving yourself of some of the tasks that are tedious to you or out of your realm of expertise, you’ll be more effective as a sole practitioner – and you’ll create more opportunities to grow your business in the direction you really want it to go.
Get Out There
As a sole practitioner, you may find that remaining solitary all of the time is tempting. Force yourself to get out of that comfort zone. Because you work as an autonomous professional, networking is as important as ever for you. Attend industry events where you will be likely to meet peers and clients. Additionally, become familiar with blogging as a means of reaching out to your client base. You can either start a blog of your own or contribute to other blogs that are relevant to your field. Establish a presence on various social media sites, as well.
Maintain a Sense of Perspective
When you feel frustrated because you’re not attaining the success you desire, take some time to breathe. Spending a little time away from your office can help you to regain the perspective you need to recharge and refocus. Be patient, and remember that investing plenty of time and hard work in your business will eventually pay off in one way or another.
Transitioning to the role of sole practitioner may seem overwhelming initially. Never forget that many others have been successful in this role, and you can, too. By implementing some proven strategies, you can have the independent business of your dreams.
