Running your own business can be lonely. It’s something I’ve heard from a few people since I started meeting other business owners, particularly at networking events.

And yes, there are days when it’s just you, a long list of things to do and nobody else to make the decisions. There’s no colleague at the next desk to bounce an idea off, and that can be tough at times.

The funny thing is, I’ve realised that setting up a business on your own doesn’t necessarily mean doing it alone. Since I started getting out and meeting people, I’ve found there’s far more support around me than I initially realised.

Whether it’s attending networking events, meeting product providers, attending seminars or spending time with the lovely people at the likes of Business Gateway, the FSB and Scottish National Network, I’ve come to appreciate that there is an amazing business community out there. People are willing to support each other, share experience, point you in the right direction for further support or give you an opportunity to put your business in the spotlight.

We might be small businesses, but we can still have a large support network around us, willing us to do well and wanting our businesses to succeed.

Working on your own and feeling alone are different things. For me, one of the positives of self-employment is having some choice over how much company, conversation and quiet I build into my working life.

There’s value in getting out—and in having some quiet

Some days, getting out and speaking to other people is exactly what I need. A conversation can help me work through an idea, put a challenge into perspective or simply remind me that other people are figuring things out as they go too.

That’s part of the value of networking. It gives us a reason to step away from the desk and meet people we might otherwise never speak to.

You don’t need to leave every event with a new customer for it to have been worthwhile. Sometimes you come away with a useful suggestion, someone to follow up with or a bit more confidence about your next step. Sometimes it’s just good to have a conversation with someone who understands what running a business involves.

Other days, I need fewer conversations and more space to concentrate. Having a quieter day can be a deliberate choice that helps me get something finished or think clearly.

There’s room for both. I can enjoy working independently and still want to be part of a business community.

Being your own boss comes with responsibility—and possibility

I’m not going to pretend that working for yourself removes stress. You’re responsible for finding the work, delivering it, keeping on top of the admin and making sure the numbers add up. Even when you’re away from your desk, switching off isn’t always easy.

But there’s something I value about being able to wake up and decide where my attention needs to go.

What needs done today? What will move the business forward? What will get me closer to where I want to be?

Customers, deadlines and bills will always influence those decisions. The freedom isn’t unlimited. But having a say in the direction of my working day—and the business I’m building—is one of the reasons I do it.

The challenge is making sure that freedom doesn’t get swallowed up by an endless list of small tasks.

Finding a bit of help with the workload

I’ve also been exploring how AI can work as a digital assistant or PA, helping me organise my thoughts, work through priorities and get started on things that might otherwise sit on the to-do list.

This article is an example. I used AI to help get an initial draft together, then rewrote parts of it because they needed to sound more like me and reflect what I’ve actually experienced. Having something to work from helped, but the personal experience and what I wanted to say still had to come from me.

That’s the balance I’m learning to find: understanding where it can save me time and where I need to put more of myself into the work.

I’m also learning that I need to give it useful information, check what comes back and make my own decisions about what fits my business. It can help me work through the list, but I still need to decide what deserves my attention.

I want to use that help to free up time for developing the business, following up with people and getting out to meet new ones. And, hopefully, feel less guilty about leaving the desk when there’s still something on the list.

Networking belongs in the working day

It’s easy to feel guilty about leaving the desk when there’s still work sitting on it. Going for a coffee and a conversation can feel like something you have to earn by clearing the list first.

But that list is rarely empty.

Meeting people, building relationships and understanding what’s happening around us are worthwhile parts of running a business. They deserve some space in the diary too.

That’s what we’re making room for through NL Business Forum: opportunities to get to know other local business people, share experiences and have conversations without needing a polished pitch.

If you’d like to join us, our next Coffee & Connect is on Tuesday 27 October, from 10am to 12pm, at The Tipsy Cow in Airdrie.

Find out more and book Coffee & Connect

If an evening suits you better, Curry & Connect takes place on Tuesday 10 November, from 7pm to 9pm, at The Tudor Hotel in Airdrie.

Find out more and book Curry & Connect

What helps you find that balance in your own business?

Chris Mills, Founder

NL Business Forum