For years, I assumed my introversion and sensitivity were obstacles I had to work around in life and business. I had absorbed a widespread belief: that introverts and highly sensitive people (HSPs) need to overcome their nature to succeed. I now know the opposite is true: these natural traits are business assets.
Worn Out by the Old Business Success Map
When I first started my business many years ago, I felt so resistant to doing all the prescribed go-go-go marketing things. Just thinking about it wore me out, but it seemed like the alternative was to fail. Ack.
I gradually discovered:
The mainstream map for growing a coaching or related business is exhausting. 🛑
It tells you to move faster.
To show up louder.
To push out more and more content.
To mask your natural rhythm so you can compete.
But if you’re an introverted or sensitive solopreneur, following that roadmap goes especially against our grain. So draining.
I know this because I’m an introvert and a highly sensitive person (HSP) and I hit that wall with the typical business success roadmap early on. I remember times of having my head on my desk in tears, sure it would never work. Yet really wanting it to work!
I see this happen to many others like me too. If you’re in that dread or exhaustion place, I am feeling for you. ❤️
You’re not broken. The typical map for growing a business is broken.
The Turning Point: Letting Go of the Business Rules
After lots of late night stressing, and daytime resistance, a wise part inside me took the reins, knowing I’d rather be myself, even if it fails. Gulp. Here I go.
Plot twist: My unconventional way started working better than following the business “rules.”
I got ideal clients by being myself, and only doing things that felt right to my sensitive, big-hearted nature. I found that people felt refreshed by my approach and were drawn to it.
In a way, my introversion and sensitive nature is what saved me, and made my business work!
I realized that business success didn’t come from acting more extroverted or hiding myself.
Turns out, sensitivity and introversion are business assets. I did not know that until it worked.
What I Did To Become More Aligned
Once I started seeing that this felt better and worked better, I started leaning even more into making choices that honored my energy, strengths, and natural way of connecting.
These were some ways I got more aligned with my introversion and sensitivity:
- I put more breathing room in my calendar, to protect my energy.
- I turned away prospects who weren’t a true match for my strengths and interests.
- I didn’t develop a fancy elevator pitch. I just had heart-to-heart conversations. 💞
- I connected with people I liked, mostly one-to-one.
- I let my natural excitement about my work rise up in conversations, in random ways while living my life.
- I got help from a business coach who didn’t try to change me, and instead helped me find what aligned for me. (I quit the misaligned coaches and it didn’t mean I was a quitter.)
- I connected with a small group of kindred spirit entrepreneurs who gave support and referrals.
- I noticed I was especially drawn to and effective at helping other introverts and HSPs, so I named it as my niche.
- I learned more about the client attraction methods I liked, so I could go deep there instead of spreading myself thin.
The result? My business became more and more stable as I shifted to this way of doing things, and it became something I genuinely love! And my business GIVES me energy instead of draining me. Even the marketing part, believe it or not.
It still took time before the business was sustainable, but this shift is what got me there, faster than if I had pushed myself to go against my grain.
I’ve supported myself this way for 16 years.
Yep, business success as an introvert and HSP, from trusting myself instead of following someone else’s rules.
4 Foundational Pillars for a Business That Fits You
After years of guiding other solo professionals through this shift, I have found that sustainable solopreneurship for introverts and sensitive souls (HSPs) relies on 4 foundational pillars:
1️⃣ Energy-First Alignment:
Designing your business around your natural flow instead of pushing past your limits or forcing yourself to do things that are draining. This includes aligning your schedule, marketing methods, and the way you work.
2️⃣ Heart Alignment:
Building your niche and client attraction style around what feels true to your heart, so your true people can feel the resonance and be drawn to you. No pushy sales or chasing prospects needed.
3️⃣ Income Alignment:
Creating offers that genuinely meet your people’s needs while providing a sustainable livelihood for you. It’s a fair exchange that just feels right.
4️⃣ Kindred Spirit Community:
Staying connected with people who get you and support you and your business in real ways.
Good news:
Introverts and sensitive people are naturally more drawn to all these pillars, so you can let those instincts lead the way!
Bottom Line
The biggest point here is realizing that you don’t need to build a business by overcoming who you are. You can build one by understanding who you are and building around that. That’s where you’ll glow best. 🌞
When you align your business with your natural strengths, values, energy, and the way you’re meant to contribute, success becomes more sustainable, and more fulfilling.
This is the work I do with introverted or sensitive solopreneurs in my business coaching and in the SOULpreneurs Circle: creating businesses that don’t require you to constantly push against yourself, but instead allow your strengths to become part of your strategy.
