As an entrepreneur, I felt lonely and lost until I adopted these 7 simple habits

Not so many years ago, I remember sitting alone in my small home office, thinking: “Is this really all there is?” 

I had a startup that looked pretty good on paper, but inside I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of my next move. Over time, I realized I wasn’t just missing a strategy for my business—I was missing strategies for my life.

Below are the seven habits that pulled me out of my rut and gave me the sense of direction and connection I desperately needed.

They might just do the same for you. 

01 Making real connections

Have you ever felt like you’re the only one struggling? 

That was me. And I used to hustle away, convinced that seeking help would somehow reveal I wasn’t cut out for the job. 

But loneliness doesn’t magically vanish when you ignore it.

So I started reaching out to fellow entrepreneurs, even if it was just for a coffee or a quick Zoom chat. Soon, I found people who understood my challenges and offered genuine support. 

Whether it’s signing up for a local startup meetup or simply reconnecting with an old colleague, real connections can lift you out of the isolation many entrepreneurs feel. 

02 Building effective systems

Once I had a network of people in my corner, I realized I also needed better day-to-day routines. 

In my early days, I’d work a dozen hours straight without clear priorities. And as you might have guessed, burnout came knocking in no time.

That’s when I stumbled on a quote from James Clear: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Powerful, right? 

Instead of throwing myself at a million tasks, I began using a simple project management tool, blocked out consistent times for client calls, and scheduled daily breaks. 

The structure didn’t restrict my creativity—it actually freed me from the chaos I’d been drowning in.

03 Prioritizing rest and recovery

I’ll admit it: I once wore my exhaustion like a badge of honor—“I’m grinding 24/7,” I’d say. 

But the truth is that it left me anxious, irritable, and, ironically, less productive.

So I flipped the script and started valuing rest as a cornerstone of my success. Getting enough sleep, taking power naps when needed, or even having a day off to decompress turned out to be game-changers. 

As Tim Ferriss has said, “Focus on being productive instead of busy.” By recharging properly, I found that my best ideas popped up when I wasn’t punishing myself with endless work.

04 Embracing daily reflection

It’s hard to shake off that lost feeling if you never pause to see where you’ve been or where you’re headed. 

I used to jump from project to project without stopping to reflect on what went well or what crashed and burned.

Journaling helped me break that cycle. Every evening, I’d scribble down my biggest win of the day, a challenge I faced, and one thing I was grateful for. 

I’ve mentioned this before in another post, but it’s worth repeating: a simple reflection routine can keep you grounded and laser-focused on what really matters.

05 Practicing focused attention

Mindfulness always sounded a bit fluffy to me, but I couldn’t argue with the level of focus and calm it brought once I actually tried it. 

A five-minute breathing exercise in the morning? That’s it. And it works.

The benefits of mindfulness practices have been backed by countless experts, too. For instance, the folks at The American Psychological Association highlight that mindfulness can lower stress and even boost working memory. 

After a few weeks of training my mind to stay in the present, I noticed I wasn’t spiraling about the future as much. My daily tasks felt more manageable because I wasn’t piling on worries that didn’t exist yet.

Trust me, give it a shot!

06 Saying “No” (and meaning it)

Ever find yourself nodding “yes” to every request, even if it’s draining your schedule and energy? 

Guilty as charged. 

Early on, I thought saying yes to all opportunities was the only path to success. Turns out, that’s just a quick way to burn out. 

As bestselling author Greg McKeown once said, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” I started setting boundaries around my work hours, politely declining commitments that didn’t align with my goals, and guess what? My productivity soared, and my stress level plunged.

When you protect your time, you’re not being selfish—you’re being strategic.

07 Comparing myself to who I was yesterday

Let’s finish on a big one I think many of us are guilty of. 

I used to scroll social media feeds filled with entrepreneurs crushing it. I’d look at success stories from people who I knew and others who I didn’t. You might think that would be inspiring but it wasn’t. It only made me feel terrible about my own progress. 

It took a quote from psychologist Jordan Peterson to snap me out of it: “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.”

I started tracking my own improvements, no matter how small. Did I learn a new marketing hack? Did I manage to wrap up a challenging project on time? 

By focusing on my own growth, I felt less lonely and more empowered. Plus, I realized how far I’d come each time I stopped to reflect.

Wrapping things up

Building a business shouldn’t leave you feeling isolated or defeated. 

These seven habits gradually turned my experience around—and they might do the same for you. Don’t be afraid to connect with others, embrace healthy routines, and guard your mental space. 

As your habits improve, so will your sense of purpose and belonging.