If you want to grow your freelance business, try "bouncing ideas off someone."

caveSometimes I feel like I'm in a.

I also started my own business, and after four years, I've managed to get things running, but sometimes I still feel like I've fallen into a dark path.

At the beginning, you don't even know“what you don't know.”

But there are moments when that cave becomes a“tunnel.”

That is what we call "bouncing ideas off someone."

Simply put, "business bouncing" is:

In tennis, there is a term called“wall practice,”where you practice by hitting the ball against a wall yourself. Think of it as applying that to business.

In short, it's a rally of business ideas.

I have had my thinking sharpened by this kind of bouncing. (Still ongoing)

By the way, these are the times when I still“bounce ideas”off others.

• When my ideas are vague and I want advice from someone.

• When I want someone to point out the weaknesses in my business model or project.

• When I want to exchange opinions.

• When I want to practice a presentation, wondering, "Will this get my point across?"

Sometimes, things I couldn't figure out after thinking for a week are solved in five minutes with someone's advice.Of course, thinking for yourself is also important. It's not good to ask others for answers immediately. The reason is that in the process of thinking things through yourself, your thoughts deepen and your business mindset is polished.However, being open to advice and having a learning attitude is also very important. Because people are polished by other people.

I had a meeting with three other business owners this afternoon, and after we quickly resolved the main topic, we spent about 45 minutes just talking.

Although we have similar businesses, we each run our own companies, and our environments and experiences are different.

Today's "bouncing ideas" session went something like this.

・How to develop a second-in-command
～Including examples of my own past failures～
・Corporate accounting matters
・Stories about various "business owners"
・How to build a business model...

We talked about many things.

I really have to be grateful for the environment around me where I can have these kinds of open conversations. It's not an environment you'd have if you were just working as a regular company employee. Receiving insights from seniors and getting advice from the business owners I always work with... I believe this accumulation of experiences is what makes me who I am.

In the past, I wasn't able to "bounce ideas off others."

But back then, I wasn't such an open person.

"I can't do it"—I couldn't say that (what kind of pride was that, lol).

When I first started my business, I was convinced I had to do everything myself, so I might have prioritized solving things on my own rather than consulting others.

But one time, when I was talking with some business owners at a dinner party, I saw an incredibly successful president asking various questions on the spot, saying "What's that! Tell me more!"—and my mindset changed 180 degrees.

I used to think that consulting someone was "relying on others."But now I know better.

I know that it's a world where those who rely on others win, and those who are well-liked win.

Of course, not every brainstorming session feels good.

Sometimes I get told things that sting, and sometimes I get discouraged. But, if you really want to move forward, the existence of people who will tell you things that are hard to hear is incredibly valuable, isn't it?

Also, being able to share the time of "amazing people" is something I am very grateful for.

Time is more valuable than money, so when you are given someone's time, you must give back in return.Having a sense of gratitude is essential.

If you are currently a freelancer and feel like "something is bothering you" or "I have an idea but I can't move forward," I want you to try talking to someone first.

I think "freelance" might actually be a tricky position to be in. (*I am using the term freelance here to mean sole proprietor)

・You haven't incorporated, but you are running a business
・You work as a company employee on weekdays and a freelancer on weekends, and you aren't fully committed to either, leaving you in a gray area
・You don't have anyone a little further ahead than you to consult with...

Your ideas don't have to be perfect at all. By putting them into words, thoughts you hadn't even realized yourself might pop out, so I want you to take the plunge and consult someone.

For a sounding board partner, I recommend a mentor who is a little further ahead than you.

Someone who understands your perspective and feelings while also giving you precise advice. External communities or consultants are fine too. In fact, I believe that articulating your thoughts on social media or a blog is also a form of“sounding board”.

Finally

The best way to get out of the state of "not knowing what you don't know" is to "talk to someone."

It's easy to feel lonely when running a business, but rather than thinking alone, moving forward while using someone as a sounding board can often be a shortcut, even if it feels like a detour.

I'm sure I'll hit many walls in the future too, but I intend to find answers by thinking for myself while listening to what others have to say.

A cave is a cave if you think it's a cave.
If you think and act for yourself, it becomes a tunnel.

If you're okay with me, I'm happy to offer advice, so feel free to reply tome.

See you tomorrow🫶🏻