Solo Climb
Picture of the steps at the end of the Path of the Gods, near Naples, Italy
Crickets.
That was the response I got when I asked, “Hey, what do you think of this idea?” I had forgotten to verbally queue my AI assistant to listen so there was no helpful answer. And since I work alone, there was no one else there to answer me. It really brought home the loneliness of being an entrepreneur.
No matter where or how you work, human connection and collaboration help us generate new ideas, celebrate the small wins, and become “more than the sum of our parts”. Yet it is often missing when you work from a home office. We spend so much time alone at our desks, in our own heads, that we often get lost in swirling thoughts, covering the same ground instead of finding new possibilities.
But how do you create those relationships when you work with clients, not colleagues, on a daily basis?
The shift starts with just 15 seconds of courage.
You don't have to climb faster or harder. You just have to stop climbing alone. True optimism and joy live in the space we create for authentic connection and honest conversations.
3 Steps to End the Solo Climb Today:
Ask for Help Intentionally: Don't just vent. Be specific: "I'm stuck on my pricing strategy. Do you have 10 minutes to brainstorm?" This turns help into a valuable, collaborative exchange.
Offer Help Generously: Shift the energy from isolation to shared purpose. Ask other entrepreneurs, "How can I genuinely help you right now?" This builds trust and has led to my best accountability groups and partnerships (including this webinar with Johanna!).
Protect Your Energy: Even connection requires capacity. Check in with yourself before saying yes. Your energy is a resource, and choosing when to pause is the ultimate strategy for sustainability.
❓Time for the courage test: What is one connection you will make this week to break free from the solo climb?
