Skip to content
Home » Blog » [Top Skills] Be the “Muhammad Ali” in your solopreneur journey

[Top Skills] Be the “Muhammad Ali” in your solopreneur journey

  • by
Spread the love

Are you still in a corporate job and thinking of becoming a solopreneur?

“Life is a like a boxing match. You get knocked out, not because you are down but because you refuse to stand up.”

solopreneur mindset

The best way to deal with corporate politics is to start dreaming and planing to be a solopreneur.

Corporate life isnt very far off from what we face in our personal lives. We see downs, failures, depressions, pressures, criticism, politics, and a host of negativity that requires us to face them chin up.

When things go wrong — DON’T QUIT. Fight it out like Muhammad Ali would have done against the best of his adversaries. Quitting is easy, no wonder people quit all the time. Quitting is a facade to what is actually escapism in reality. We think escaping our current scenario would lead us to a land of roses. In reality we encounter similar people, personalities and scenarios manifested in different forms.

Fight it out. Stay there long. Take some punches. Know for a fact that your time will come to deliver some as well.

Also read: The #1 skill you need to grow your business. (It’s not Sales)

Take a stance

Develop a stance to be with the right, bold and fair people and situations. Ali had a body language and demeanor of a “winner already”. People respect righteousness and bold behavior. There are bound to be times, when we feel ignored and walked over. Let people know that you don’t like it and isn’t acceptable to you explicitly. Work on alternatives that would suit you and the organization. Rarely in our work places we see strong people, with strong opinions getting a raw deal because they choose to shape their careers by being with right people and showing up at the right places. Right is might.

Take those punches well

Lets look at tough times in our working lives. New assignments, non amiable co workers, wrong projects and how can we forget politics. There is no fun in getting punched and then quitting. The real game is in staying there long enough, getting those blows, falling down and rising. People with great and long careers didn’t reach there with an easy stroll — they would have fought for it and fought well.

Pain makes us stronger. Cultivate mental toughness because we are here for the long.

Also read: The Eskimos don’t need your fridge

Hit with a strategy

Ali was famous not only for his powerful landings but also for his wily and foxy moves. He could judge and measure his opponents so well, that he knew when and where to hit. Understand what you are up against. Detach and assess the situation. Break it down issue wise. Start hitting. Hit them with a purpose to dissolve them and see them falling in front of you. I refer to people, tasks and situations as “them”. Don’t hit when you haven’t thought well enough. You will look like a maniac and wreck. Calm down, internalize and then hit.

The best way to test our toughness and resilience is to be in negative situations and with equally tough people. Don’t duck them. Get muddy. Get sweaty. Fight’s on.

The solopreneur plan

Transitioning from being a corporate employee to a solopreneur can be an exciting but challenging journey. Here are some steps you can take to make the transition:

  1. Identify your skills and passions: Think about the skills and passions you have that could translate into a solopreneurship venture. This will help you identify the type of business you want to start and what you can offer.
  2. Do your research: Conduct market research to identify the viability of your business idea. Analyze the competition and identify potential customers.
  3. Create a business plan: Develop a detailed business plan that outlines your goals, target market, pricing, marketing strategies, and financial projections. This will help you stay organized and focused on your goals.
  4. Build your network: Start building relationships with other solopreneurs, mentors, and potential clients. Attend networking events and connect with people in your industry.
  5. Build your online presence: Establish an online presence by creating a website and social media profiles. This will help you reach a wider audience and promote your business.
  6. Manage your finances: As a solopreneur, you will be responsible for managing your finances. Develop a budget and track your income and expenses closely.
  7. Be prepared for challenges: Starting a business can be challenging, so be prepared to face obstacles and setbacks. Stay resilient and focused on your goals, and be willing to adapt and pivot your business model as needed.

Conclusion

Remember that the transition from being a corporate employee to a solopreneur is a process, and it may take time to establish your business and build a client base. With dedication, hard work, and a strong business plan, you can successfully make the transition and enjoy the benefits of being your own boss.

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com on February 13, 2015.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *