I've always found that the best ideas show up when I'm chatting with myself. Sometimes with wildly expressive hand gestures. Oftentimes when I'm driving (minus the hand gestures).
So in true Notes from Debbie spirit, I've wrangled five (5) pieces of advice (well, more accurately, observations masquerading as advice) from my foray into the solo business life.
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a few nuggets to mull over with your morning coffee tea. Or, you know, while talking to yourself.
Here goes:
1. Have a conversation… with your echo
Before clarity takes its bow, things are often full-on fuzzy. The fastest way through? Say it all out loud. Even if the only thing talking back is your slightly startled reflection. And frankly, the echo seems to have pretty solid advice.
2. Treasure the quiet bits
I used to think “Big, Bold Moments” were where the magic happened. Turns out, the subtle shifts, the tiny light bulb flickers, and the sentences in books that won't leave you alone are where the real gold lies.
Document these. They're probably shaping your work more than you realize, and you never know when they'll become your secret sauce.
3. Pursue clarity, not neat endings
If you're fixated on boxing up your thoughts with ribbon and a glittery card (as delightful as that sounds), you might miss the point. I'm much more interested in clarity than conclusion.
A “hmm, that makes sense now” beats an “aha!” Any day.
4. Make your workspace a cozy library (where hustle is banned)
Think: searchable, scannable, easy to revisit. A cozy nook for your thoughts, not a high-speed treadmill. Look for what ignites you, not what looks impressive on someone else's Pinterest board.
Slow is good. Hustle is overrated.
5. Celebrate the human side and invite others to the slow party
Running solo doesn't have to mean going fast. It means honoring intention, creating structure, and giving yourself permission to actually be human, preferably with a bit of cheek.
Trust me, it's way more fun and your sanity will thank you.
So if you ever feel lost in the land of business “shoulds,” here's your ticket to slow down, pay attention, and let your observations do the heavy lifting. No hard conclusions, no pressure. Just a gentle nudge and a wink. 💛