Reminder: we all start from zero

🌸 And why it's an opportunity for fulfilling and genuine growth.

source: Eirín Kristiansen

Let's talk about the beginning—the true, unpolished start of a solopreneur journey. No glitz, no glamour, just hard truths from the trenches of building something from scratch.

From the outside, the stories of self-made success seem to shower us with the promise of an easy climb to the top. Glossy tales on social media make it seem like it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away.

But here's the reality: the myth of overnight success is just that—a myth. It distorts our view, making us feel like failures when our first attempts don’t immediately soar. Remember, most success stories are years in the making, often with numerous unseen trials and errors. It's crucial to shed these unrealistic expectations and recognise that every climb up dream mountain starts with one small, uncelebrated step.

✿  Starting from zero is like trying to hit a dartboard blindfolded.

There’s something uniquely challenging about the early days of launching when it feels like you're whispering into a vast, empty space. It's more than disheartening; it's downright defeating when you pour your heart into your work and are met with nothing but silence.

No comments, no shares—just crickets. It can make you question everything: Are my ideas resonating? Does my work even matter? Am I doing something wrong?

This silent stretch is where self-doubt loves to play its cruel mind games, tempting us to pull back rather than lean in.

But remember, even if you can’t see it yet, you are growing. And this is where it matters most. Every post shared, every newsletter published is a critical step on your journey. You must find a way to keep going, to persist through the silence, and push past the messy feelings.

It’s in these moments you are building trust and laying the foundation for genuine growth. 🍄🌱

✿ Starting a business is the ultimate bootcamp in building resilience.

Securing your first client or making your first sale might not happen overnight (though it could if you're lucky!). But before that moment, there will be days filled with doubts, trials, and errors.

We’ve all been there—at that point where everything feels unfamiliar and daunting. Remember, this is a normal part of the process, a passage that builds much needed resilience and determination for the rest of your journey.

Starting a business can often feel like learning a new language, where every word sounds foreign and every sentence is overwhelmingly confusing. Yet, every successful solopreneur has faced a similar beginning—stumbling and falling, but most importantly, rising again and again.

✿ It’s going to feel like a mountain of mess in the beginning.

When you first start your business or grow an audience you’re going to be getting to grips with a lot of firsts. It’s going to feel uncomfortable. You’re going to be scared, and full of doubts, confusion and frustration. Heck, it just took me a WHOLE DAY to figure out how to set up a system and find a software that will publish IG posts for me, and then connect it all. All those firsts, they’re probably going to take more time than expected, so be kind with yourself. And allow plenty of breathing space in between tasks.

The first posts, newsletters of products you make may not going to be your finest work. But just like flipping that first pancake, you will improve and things will get easier—but only if you keep going.

And these tiny wins? Celebrate them wholeheartedly! A supportive comment, 10 posts published, a new subscriber on your email list, or simply a day where things just flows—these are clear indicators of your growing expertise and dedication.

✿ Every seemingly ‘invisible’ or tiny step you take is planting a seed

There's profound strength in taking things slowly, particularly in a world that hypes speed and instant results. Embracing a slower pace allows us to establish sustainable rhythms and truly comprehend what we’re building—and why.

Avoiding the overload of unrealistic expectations or harsh deadlines can significantly reduce the pressure and stress on your solopreneur journey. By nurturing your work carefully, you can infuse your deepest values into the very foundation of your work. Which will not only support your current projects but will also ensure that your business can thrive throughout the many seasons of solopreneurship.

✿  Lean on your supportive support system.

Most importantly, remember—you're not alone. Connecting with others who are on similar paths can provide invaluable support and some much-needed perspective. Our community here at Quiet Growth Chronicles is a great place to meet fellow solopreneurs committed to quiet, steady progress. I’d also highly recommend checking out the very friendly ’Find your tribe’ series by

Mika

on Substack—a wonderful opportunity to forge new connections.

Having a positive support system can make all the difference as a solopreneur.

If you’re able to make the investment, a business coach that aligns with you can provide support, knowledge, and accountability you crave. I’m currently work with

Jen Carrington

, a business coach, over the next 12 months, and it has proven to be such a worthwhile investment time and time again. Her guidance in overcoming obstacles, strategising next steps, and navigating both the immediate and long-term vision of my business has ensured that everything aligns with the life I want and the values I cherish. Jen honestly allows me to take such a weight off my shoulders on this business building journey.

🫶🏼 The Quiet truth

We all start with zero. Zero clients, zero followers, and sometimes, zero clue on how to run a business.

It's okay to start slow. It's okay to feel unsure. Every solopreneur has been there—at that beginning point where everything feels overwhelming and uncertain. What matters is not how you start, but that you do, and that you continue adapting and moving forward from there.

Remember these words by Seth Godin: "The only thing worse than starting something and failing… is not starting something."

So, to you who is just starting out, in the thick of it, and unsure of the next step—keep going. The path will clear, the unfamiliar will become familiar, and one day, you'll look back at your journey with pride, appreciating the day you started with zero.

Thank you so much for reading, and as always, I would love to hear from you!

✿ I can't help but wonder… In your journey of starting from zero, which victory has meant the most to you, and why?

Until next time,

cultivate quietly, bloom wildly ✿ 

—Hannah

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