5 Things I’ve Learned After a Year in Lockdown

I titled my first newsletter “How are You Supposed to Hustle During a Global Pandemic?”because (quite frankly) I was still figuring that out myself. It’s been eight months (!!) since I wrote that newsletter — and I’m happy to report that my mindset has changed. Instead of feeling stressed, I feel empowered, laser-focused on my values, and supported by this amazing community. Though this year has been hard, I’m grateful for the lessons that I’ve picked up along the way. If anything, they’ve made me a better self-starter.

As we approach this somber anniversary, I wanted to offer a glimmer of light by sharing a new batch of lessons. (Think of it as a “How are You Supposed to Hustle During a Global Pandemic? 2.0.”) To be clear, I don’t think I have this whole “being your own boss during a global pandemic” thing down pat. (For the sake of getting back to some semblance of normalcy, I hope none of us do!) But, I hope my takeaways below remind you that you’re a game-changing, rockstar boss.

Celebrate Your Inner Critic

Let’s face it: Our inner critics often get a bad rap. Whether you’re realizing missteps or feeling like you’ll never be enough, that little voice inside all of us is rarely associated with anything good. I used to think of my inner critic as a bad thing; my pessimistic alter ego, if you will. But, over the past few months, I’ve had a bunch of solopreneur friends ask for my advice because of my critical eye. Since I’m always honored to help my inner circle, I’m warming up to the idea that my inner critic isn’t so bad after all.

Don’t get me wrong, your inner voice is responsible for a lot of unnecessary criticism — and nobody has time for that negative energy. However, it can also be your guiding light when running your own business. It can help you navigate sticky situations. And, above all, it can teach you that you should never compromise your standards. Being your own boss doesn’t come with a rulebook, but you can’t go wrong if you listen to your own constructive criticism and do what you think is right.

I bring my critical eye to everything I do, from writing articles to crafting this newsletter. But, over the past year, I’ve learned to give my inner critic some extra love. After all, she’s my biggest asset.

Pivot With A Purpose

The past year has been all about pivoting. Not only have so many small businesses switched gears to produce reusable masks, but this weird time has also inspired some to finally become their own bosses. I firmly believe in the power of the pivot, but I think it’s important not to stray too far from your original vision.

You see, when the shelter-in-place order first went into effect, I thought I lost some clients due to tightened budgets and mass layoffs. (I knew it was nothing personal; the world was flipped upside down and nobody knew how to move forward!) To be honest, I was nervous that being a full-time freelance journalist wouldn’t be as easy (or sustainable) as it once was. So, in a few moments of panic, I applied and interviewed for full-time (!) jobs that were a far cry from the work I enjoy doing. (I’m talking writing social media captions for a major stock market incorporation.)

Landing one of those jobs might’ve put a Band-Aid over my initial fear, but would I have been happy and fulfilled? No shade, but absolutely not. Being your own boss is far from glamorous. We all take on projects we’re less-than-excited about for one reason or another — and that’s okay. But, at the end of the day, we should all feel excited to wake up each morning and build our empires.

I’m so happy those opportunities never panned out. A year later, I’m pleased to report that I’ve been able to work with all the clients I initially thought I lost. Could you imagine if I didn’t have time for the opportunities that actually make me happy? Well, you know what Julia Roberts would say:

Create Community

My boyfriend and I moved to San Francisco six months before the shelter-in-place order went into effect. While we are so fortunate to have great friends in the Bay Area, it’s been a bummer to be so far away from my closet friends and family members. But, in addition to FaceTiming and texting my inner circle, I’ve used this time to build a virtual community of fellow self-starters. Not only has forging new connections and fostering old friendships made this isolating time at home feel less lonely, but it’s also inspired me to take my business to the next level.

Ready to find your people? I want to throw a virtual happy hour in the next few weeks. RSVP here! (Here’s to hoping we can connect IRL sometime soon!)

Invest In Your Setup

As self-starters, we’re used to working from just about anywhere: Our co-working spaces, go-to coffee shops, and the back of an Uber on the way to the airport. (Just me?) But, working from home has made our workspaces more…well, complicated. Since our schedules aren’t packed with Zoom calls like our full-time friends, we can readily work from the couch or our beds. But, as comfortable as it is, we’re practically a hop, skip, and a jump away from getting distracted by Netflix. (Just me again?)

A few months ago, I started to invest in my workspace: I picked up a secondary monitor, some old-school earbuds, and blue light-blocking glasses. Though it sounds like a no-brainer, I can’t tell you how much more productive I’ve been since streamlining my daily routine. (Trust me, having two monitors is a game-changer.) And, since I spend most of my days seated, I picked up a desk-friendly elliptical so I can workout while I work.

Speaking of daily routines, I feel so much more productive when I put on real clothes. (You know, a top and pants that zip — the whole shebang.) Getting dressed each day is a work in progress (I’m human), but it makes a huge difference.

Live Your Life

For the bulk of this past year, I’ve been determined to keep my head down and work. At the time, it made sense: The world feels so limited right now, so why not hustle, save up, and enjoy life when I can?

However, I’ve started to interpret the past year as a rallying cry to live life. During her “Build Your Brand” course, my friend Kate Talbot made a comment that struck a chord in me: “We become our own bosses so we can spend more time doing the things we love with the people we love.” Chills. (Psst…If you missed out on Kate’s masterclass, you can sign up for her Solopreneur Academy here!)

I’m nowhere close to mastering the work-life balance — and I will always advocate for working hard. But, I’m challenging myself to close my laptop more and watch a movie, call my grandma, or go to a socially distanced dinner with friends. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that life can change in the blink of an eye — so why not enjoy it?

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Hustler of the Week: Elizabeth Kendrick

Congratulations on Ann + Reeves! What inspired you to launch your own company?

My shopping habit for my six month-old daughter! I was so excited when we found out we were having a baby girl. I wanted to order every single cute outfit I could get my hands on. My mom always said that little kids were meant to play in their clothes, and she always dressed us in smocked wear. I had so many great ideas for my daughter, Margaret, so I decided to look into what it would take to make this a reality!

What is your favorite part about being your own boss? Least favorite?

I love getting to figure out how to run my business, think of new designs, and set my hours. If I need to take a break to feed my baby dinner, I can do it! My least favorite is reconciling books. It’s SO necessary, but man oh man do I wish I had paid more attention in my college accounting classes.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since becoming your own boss?

You have to leave time for yourself and your family. Since this is my own business, and technically my second job, I can find myself getting wrapped up in work. It’s so important to close my computer [and] enjoy time with my daughter, husband, and our doodle, Ellie.

Give Elizabeth some love by following her on Instagram and shopping her first collection.

(Psst…like what you see? You can subscribe to “Office Hours with Kelsey Mulvey” here.)