The Solo, Micro & Small Business Manifesto

Flying Solo - The Solo, Micro & Small Business Manifesto

Creator

The Solo, Micro & Small Business Manifesto was created by Flying Solo – a solo, micro and small business community with headquarters in Sydney Australia.

Purpose

The Solo, Micro & Small Business Manifesto is a summary of “what we believe makes a successful and happy soloist.” A soloist is a person who runs a solo, micro or small business.

Create a business and a life you love: Solo, Micro & Small Business #Manifesto Click To Tweet

The Solo, Micro & Small Business Manifesto

Why I have chosen soloism

  • Unlike employment, soloism allows me to feel liberated not obligated
  • In Soloville the playing fields are perfectly level.
  • Work assumes its proper place alongside the rest of my life.
  • I prefer working in the absence of a formal workplace structure.
  • Soloism allows me to create my own measures of success.
  • I have the freedom to be spontaneous.
  • Soloism enables me to make the most of being myself.
  • I get to keep my priorities at the top of my action list.

Why I am suited to flying solo

  • I maintain a healthy level of self-confidence.
  • I’m self-aware and naturally inquisitive.
  • I enjoy being mentally stimulated.
  • I strive for authenticity and integrity in all I do.
  • I’m proactive and enjoy fully participating.
  • I hold myself accountable and do not make excuses.
  • I am disciplined and responsible with money.

Why it’s so good for me

  • I have the freedom to fully express myself through my work.
  • What I do is totally congruent with who I am.
  • I feel an overriding sense of freedom each and every day.
  • I face my future head-on. There?s no hiding.
  • I do not have to unwind. The pace of my business is the pace of my life.
  • Soloism constantly stretches and challenges my boundaries and limitations.
  • Soloism gives me the confidence to hold my ground.

What I believe

  • I know that if others can do it, I can do it.
  • If this is a ‘job’, it’s a damn fine one!
  • I champion innovation and free thinking.
  • Live for the present and enjoy it to the full.
  • I respect the relationship between beliefs and outcomes and channel my thoughts accordingly.
  • If I?m not passionate about my work, I need to do something else.
  • With the right attitude I?ll be a magnet for inspirational ideas.
  • An inspiring vision must always be at the heart of my solo venture.
  • Being myself is not just good for my soul, it?s good for business.
  • By loving my work I attract opportunities and promote word-of-mouth referrals.
  • It’s better to be heard well by one person than forgotten by five hundred.
  • The secret to managing time is to first know what I?m trying to do with it.

The way I work

  • I run my solo business as I choose.
  • I set my own pace.
  • I engage and participate fully in all that I do.
  • I don’t need permission to take a break from anyone other than me.
  • I don’t need to follow the example of bigger businesses.
  • I focus on what I have, not on what I do not have.
  • I conduct my business from wherever I choose.
  • I freely share my knowledge and wisdom with others.
  • I listen deeply to my clients and prospects, developing genuine empathy with them.
  • I have balance within life and work, not between life and work.
  • I position myself firmly in the flow of ideas, influences and information.
  • I like to get the ear of influential people.
  • I take responsibility for my mistakes.
  • While I may do what others do, I strive to do it better and do it my way.
  • I acknowledge the role of research and development in the evolution of my business.
  • I consider my clients and customers to be my partners.
  • I attach great importance to the relationships around me.
  • I work to surround myself with supporters.
  • I do not binge; I’m consistent in my actions.
  • I know when and where to focus my energies.
  • I know the value of my work and charge accordingly.
  • I have determined my rates and do not work for less.
  • I do not carry junk and clutter in my work.
  • I have a clear means of reviewing my performance and do so regularly.
  • I protect my energy sources by taking breaks.
  • I put myself first.

Source

The Solo, Micro & Small Business Manifesto

Comment

The Solo, Micro & Small Business Manifesto fits beautifully with Principle #5 of the Manifesto Manifesto: ‘Manifestos define us’ in their use of the words ‘soloism’ and ‘soloist’. Whilst they’re not the most elegant words they do give the people who run a solo business a name and an identity. This

I think this manifesto needs an edit. There are some great themes and values here that I resonate with in my solo business. However, it feels like it was created by a committee that couldn’t make a decision. It’s trying to cover too much territory and loses it’s impact. It could be split into several related manifestos or simply edited.