Robert,

We all do sabotage our careers to some degree and it's unfortunate that so many of us jump into self-employment without the proper tools or mindset.

We want instant gratification so the thought of implementing a marketing plan that will eventually start to pay dividends just doesn't resonate with a lot of people. They want the new business now!! Money coming in now!

I know so many solopreneurs whose business has diminished in recent months, and most are just waiting for things to turn around. These are different times and you just can't ride it out. I try to encourage them to market, to try new things -- and most people understand that they have to make things happen, but their frozen in their tracks.

I'm not a business coach or marketing consultant, but all the years of running my freelance graphic design business has taught me the hard that everything you've written is spot on.

I'm passing on your article to those solopreneurs I know with lots of time on their hands.

Good stuff! Learning to recognize, and then follow, my natural rhythm has helped me improve my productivity tremendously. I used to be most productive late at night, then it evolved to mid-morning, now it's late afternoon. Go figure!??!

Learning to accept the shifts in intensity might be tough for some but, if your lifestyle and business allows, I think it can be rewarding.

Good work Stacy. I've been a self-employed graphic designer for many years and believed that I was always "too busy to self-market." I guess I've been lucky to always have work. Well, I started adjusting my attitude and approach to marketing my services less than a year ago and so far the results are amazing. I've been able to weed out I work I didn't have fun with, and take on work that's not only fun but challenging.

The start-up was a huge time investment, but now it's down to about 20-30 minutes a day, and it's paying off nicely. And you're right, I learned a lot from my mistakes and false starts. Keep writing.

Boy, your post has resonated with a lot of folks. As a business owner -- solopreneur in my case -- the natural reaction to a downturn is to go after more and more business. Unfortunately, today that means a lower success rate. SO, it's time to operate lean and mean, the perfect time to reevaluate the business, the perfect time to savor the now and direct the future.

Great points! Most of us aren't "full-time" marketers and salespeople -- we tend to just tell contacts what we do through the use of a title (lawyer, insurance sales, plumber). Your point #4 is maybe the most important point of all.

Terrific points! The best compliments I ever received form clients, earlier in my career as a graphic designer and art director, were that I was a great listener. I have noticed more recently that I've become less patient. My impulse is to jump in and offer solutions .... before I fully understand the problem. I think I'll print your article and give it a quick read before every meeting from now on.

Great stuff, Joanne. I've run my own graphic design practice, as a solopreneur, for over twenty years. I still constantly have to reevaluate and reaffirm my work and my life. It never becomes automatic.

Clearly stating and writing down your goals -- both financial and personal -- does make them more attainable!

I couldn't have come across this article and follow-up comments at a more appropriate time. In the almost twenty-five years I've been self-employed, I've probably only made a dozen cold calls.

Recently, as more of my clients have cut their marketing and advertising budgets, I find that I have to replace some of that business. Cold calling MUST be part of my strategy. I get inspiration from reading these posts. Thanks! Hopefully one day soon I can also provide some useful tips for others.