avatarJerry Keszka

Summary

The article presents a structured approach for solopreneurs to succeed online by focusing on clear 90-day goals and consistent output rather than immediate outcomes.

Abstract

The article outlines a blueprint for content creators and solopreneurs to achieve success by concentrating on specific output-driven actions within 90-day cycles. It emphasizes the importance of clarity and prioritization to avoid burnout and ensure that efforts are directed towards activities that significantly advance one's business objectives. The author advocates for a disciplined approach to goal setting, where the focus is on executing a well-defined plan rather than obsessing over immediate financial gains. By adhering to this framework, individuals can measure progress through valid metrics, resist distractions, and maintain a steady course towards their long-term vision. The methodology is designed to provide enough time to assess the effectiveness of strategies while remaining flexible to adapt as necessary.

Opinions

  • The author believes that focusing on the potential monetary outcome can lead to a win-or-lose mindset, increasing the risk of failure for new online entrepreneurs.
  • The article suggests that working in 90-day cycles allows for a focused approach to achieving goals, with enough time to test the viability of strategies without wasting excessive time.
  • It is expressed that the mind will challenge set goals with doubts and distractions, and it is crucial to resist these to see if the chosen path is effective.
  • The author underscores the importance of measuring the right metrics to avoid misjudging progress, accepting that some metrics may temporarily decline.
  • The article advises saying no to distractions and opportunities that do not align with long-term goals to maintain focus on essential activities.
  • The author shares personal experience, highlighting the value of consistency and daily action towards achieving goals, even if progress seems slow initially.
  • It is conveyed that productivity is not about being busy but about engaging in activities that move the needle, and this clarity is best achieved through a 90-day action plan.

The Best Framework to Start as a Successful Content Creator / Solopreneur

The proven blueprint that works

Image by the author using Canva

Optionality is the best and the worst part of the Internet. You can do so many things, but you should do only a few that move a needle.

It is very easy to burn out if you are overwhelmed and have no clarity. Because you may be busy with too many activities, you need to focus on what is the most important and moves you forward.

Instead of trying to do everything in your business (or freelancing or side hustle), work in 90-day cycles for a clearly defined outcome. Having a goal like improving my writing is vague; you need to specify the actions you need to take to make your goal a reality.

This article will share the proven blueprint for starting a successful solopreneurship online.

Concentrate on output, not the outcome

Most people beginning their online journey to make money start with the wrong goal. They focus on the amount of money they can make. In this case, they put themselves in a situation where they can win or lose.

With that approach, lack of experience, and clarity, you prepare yourself for failure, and you can become one who claims that online entrepreneurship does not work.

When I started, I tried to do too many things at once, which is why I failed in many attempts to make money online. But those were also valuable lessons and helped me eventually escape 9–5.

When I decided to write and publish an article every day on Medium, after three months, I could quit my job. Instead of chasing the money, I focused on writing and posting daily. And that is why I succeeded.

Work in 90-day cycles

You can apply this rule to any goal in your online business. For example — you are finding a new client. Depending on the platform, you will have to come up with a strategy to achieve that goal.

Learn what actions you have to take to meet your goal. Let’s assume that your social media platform is LinkedIn. The plan of action:

  • Optimize your profile
  • Build and engage your network
  • Post relevant content once a day
  • Engage with other's content
  • Join and participate in groups
  • Send ten personalized messages per day
  • Check out the analytics and adjust
  • Utilize LinkedIn features
  • Stay updated with the industry

Naturally, there are more details, but this is just a framework of the activities you must do daily to get a client during a 90-day sprint for this particular example.

The same methodology will work for anything like creating a digital product (eBook or a course), launching a newsletter or creating landing pages.

Sticking to the 90-day goal is crucial

Our mind is a real challenge; after two or three weeks of our 90-day cycle, it will question previously set goals. It will question us with doubts, what ifs, and the shiny object syndrome.

You must refuse any doubts and keep on going. Stick to your 90-day sprint no matter what.

Only by sticking to your goal will you see if it is going to work because:

  • 90 days is long enough to see if something is working
  • is not so long, so you do not waste your time if it is not working

After 90 days, you need to ask yourself:

  • What I need to improve
  • What needs to change
  • Where is the bottleneck

That way, you can refine your daily actions that move you toward your goals. Or you can pivot and set up a new goal.

Clarity of your 90-day goals

Thanks to the 90-day work cycle, you know exactly what you need to do (or not to do). This is priceless as one of the primary reasons for online business failers is the lack of clarity and doing things that cause “busyness” but do not move the needle.

Let’s say that your 90-day goal is building a course. You don’t focus on launching a $120 K online course. Instead, you set up a clear plan of activities you need to do to create a superb quality course that will solve the problems of your target audience.

When you have a 90-day action plan, you realize what actions you need to take and that you don’t have the time for anything else. That way, you prioritize your daily actions to what is essential.

No more time-wasting and laser focus on critical activities. And this is a real productivity hack.

Measure the valid metric

The reason why you do not progress is because you often focus on the wrong metrics.

If you write on Medium and build your business, you can not write as much as you would like. As a result, your stats will drop. And this is entirely normal. They meant to fall.

You can always go back and improve your metrics once you finish your 90-day work cycle.

Focus on essential metrics for your long-term goal and accept that some will drop occasionally. Success is not a straight line.

Say no to distractions.

When you are focused, that will help you to optimize everything to align with your goals and say no to the wrong things.

There will be many opportunities coming along during the 90-day sprints. If you create content, you will constantly get messages. I say no to almost all of them.

If you focus on short wins, that may very often delay your long-term goals. Focus on what you want and say no to most things to achieve your goals.

Conclusion

It is very easy to start an online business, but with so many options, you can easily get overwhelmed and burned out quickly.

I made many mistakes, but after concentrating on what was important, I could quit my 9–5 after three months of writing on Medium. Your results may be completely different, but even if that would take me three years, it would be worth it.

The most effective way of setting yourself up for success is focusing on the right activities:

  • Focus on output, not outcome. Instead of calculating how much you can earn, decide what you must do daily to achieve your goal.
  • Work in 90-day cycles. Develop a strategy that will allow you to achieve your goal.
  • Sticking to the 90-day goal will help you stay on track and collect enough data if this works (or not).
  • Clarity with the 90-day goal. You know exactly what to do (or not to do).
  • Measure the valid metrics. Stick to your 90-day goal even when other metrics (engagement) drop.
  • Say no to anything that will delay your long-term goals.

Hack your mind into sticking to your actionable goals and just do it. You will suck at first. Accept it. But only by staying consistent will you get better.

Watch tutorials and learn, but immediately apply your knowledge and share it. You can discuss the same problem or topic but add your personal angle.

There will be very challenging days. Sometimes, you will give 80% and sometimes only 20 %, but as long you keep going, you will progress.

Even if you are getting better, only 1 % every day, imagine how you can improve after 90 days or a year.

Starting is always the first step to success.

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