Business Lessons from a Solo Trip: Protecting Time for What Matters

One of my hesitations about the Upper Peninsula trip was the long drive by myself. But once I was on the road, I discovered something unexpected. Driving long distances alone isn’t everyone’s thing, but the focus is real. No competing agendas, no debate about pace or pit stops, no one snacking or chomping on gum in your ear; just a good podcast or music and steady miles. Your workdays deserve the same protection: blocks of uninterrupted time to focus on what truly matters.

Apply it:

• Pick one “deep work lane” per day. Close the tabs, silence the dings, finish the lane.
• Time-box communications: two 30-minute windows for email and messages instead of all-day grazing.
• Protect at least 4 hours weekly for owner-only work: pricing, forecasting, offer design.

Other people’s opinions are not operating instructions

Several people thought a solo trip was crazy. People will always have opinions, especially about risks they’d never take themselves. You don’t build strategy on someone else’s comfort level.

Apply it:

• Choose three advisors you’ll listen to: one financial, one operational, one legal.
• When feedback comes in, tag it: data, preference, or fear. Act on data; weigh preference; file fear.

In my final blog post, I explain why strong systems are essential for running your business efficiently and avoiding burnout.