Is Meditation for Solopreneurs Overhyped? No, and Here’s Why

In regards to buzzworthy terms over the past few years, “meditation” seems to take the cake. While some have followed this practice for ages, others are just now coming across it, and many haven’t even dabbled in it at all (and are even skeptical).

As the granddaughter of a yoga teacher, that practice has always been in my household, however, the idea of being mindful of things outside of my yoga sessions or the thought of intentionally quieting my mind never really stuck. I tried it a few times and then honestly, I just didn’t stick with it. Thought it wasn’t for me.

Last year I was presented with some health challenges while pregnant. I told myself I would try anything to feel better, and as part of that, I began incorporating meditation into my schedule. This time was different than the last attempts. I had to give it a fair shot, and I’m so glad I did. Did it cure my ailments? No. But it calmed my anxiety around it and helped me get through all of it mentally. I was so motivated by it that I continued with the practice to this day, and don’t plan on stopping.

As I began reflecting on the past year, it dawned on me how important meditation can be for solopreneurs specifically as well, so I thought I’d jot down a few notes and share them with you here.

Why is Meditation Important for Solopreneurs?

Solopreneurship is hard. The hours in the day seemingly get smaller and smaller as you handle all aspects of a business, from marketing, to operations, to customer relations, and everything in between.

It is imperative that you are able to keep a clear mind and stay focused so that you don’t get overwhelmed or fall behind.

And mindfulness can help you do this.

Gone are the days that these practices are associated with the “hippy” and “earthy” lifestyles (not that there’s anything wrong with those). In fact, many successful business owners, including Richard Branson and Steve Jobs, attribute much of their success to mindfulness and meditation. 

At the end of the day, look at mindfulness as a tool to help you navigate your personal and professional lives with less stress and more clarity.

Benefits of Meditation for Solopreneurs

There are many benefits of meditation, but the points below are ones that solopreneurs should really pay attention to:

1. Improves overall health - According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation can help lower anxiety, chronic pain, depression, high blood pressure, your risk of heart disease, sleep problems, tension headaches…the list goes on.  You need to be performing at optimal levels for your business to be the best it can be, so if you let your health suffer, your business suffers.

2. Helps to regulate emotions and improve mental health - Let’s face it, being a solopreneur is an emotional roller coaster, so if we have a tool to help manage that, why not use it?

3. Gives you “me” time - Yes, as a solopreneur, you may have ample opportunity to get work done independently, but taking time for yourself to just be and relax? Not always a priority for solopreneurs. 

4. Enhances creativity - Our modern lives are so filled with distractions. If we don’t actively pursue quiet time, it’s easy to forget to have it, which doesn’t give our mind a lot of time to wander and explore its creative side, which is necessary to get those lightbulb moments for your business.

5. Helps you let go of the small stuff - When you hit low points in your business, it can be hard to bounce back, but meditation can help you do that so that you can get through it and keep your business going in the right direction.

6. Improves cognitive abilities - That’s right, meditation can help with problem-solving and analytical thinking, which are hugely important things to have in your toolbelt as a solopreneur.

7. Helps you to avoid burnout - This is something many solopreneurs face because you’re doing so much at any given time. Taking a few minutes to take a breather and meditate can help you slow everything down and take a step back so that you’re more efficient and productive in the long run.

Ways to Solopreneurs Can Sneak Meditation Into Busy Schedules

There are different forms of meditation, from guided meditation (there are great apps for this) to mindfulness meditation, to a whole list of others. I highly recommend doing your research to see what would work best for you.

For me personally, I like to take a few minutes here and there throughout the day simply to be still and focus on my breath. Anytime my mind wanders, I go back to focusing on my breath for those 5-10 minutes or so.

At first, I thought it would take a lot of effort to incorporate this into my day until I realized the little ways I could sneak it in, so I’ve included my favorite three tips below:

Wake Up 10 Minutes Early

I’m not asking you to become an early riser (although there are benefits to that), I’m just asking that you set your alarm 10 minutes earlier than you normally would and use those 10 minutes to meditate. It’s a great way to start your day.

Meditate On A Walk

Instead of listening to music or talking to a friend for your entire walk, meditate for part of it. Focus on your breath, be mindful of your surroundings, and express gratitude for the things around you. It does wonders for your mood and mental clarity.

Meditate Instead of Looking at Your Phone

In the modern world, we have a hard time being bored, so we often look at our phones to combat that. Instead of reaching for your technology, meditate instead. In line at the grocery store? Focus on your breath. Going to bed? Put your phone away and meditate. You’d be amazed at the number of times you scroll through social media mindlessly instead of doing something productive for yourself. 

Meditation isn’t hard. In fact, it’s literally one of the easiest things you can do if you put your mind to it and practice. It may not come easily at first, but once you put it into your routine, you’ll be happy you did.

I’m curious, do you meditate? If so, do you find it helpful? We’d love to hear what works for you!

Want more helpful tips on becoming a successful one-person business owner? I highly recommend checking out The Solopreneur Success Cycle!