How Openness Can Transform Being Stuck into Progress
This morning, as I stared at my computer screen, frustrated by yet another failed attempt to integrate AI tools into my workflow, it hit me: I had isolated myself. For weeks, I’d struggled with this problem, following guides I couldn’t fully grasp and making no real progress. As an expert troubleshooter and productivity coach, admitting I was a beginner in this area felt like a betrayal of my own expertise. The gray, dreary Ohio weather mirrored my mood, sapping my energy and clarity.
Finally, after several false starts, I pushed past my hesitation and reached out to someone who had already navigated this particular challenge. It wasn’t easy, but the persistence paid off—the conversation gave me the understanding I’d been missing and a renewed sense of connection.
Isolation had closed me from accepting the new information. I had to open up, reach out, and connect to solve the problem at hand.
I needed Openness.
Isolation can feel like a badge of honor for solo business operators—proof that you’re toughing it out, building something meaningful on your own. But here’s the truth: isolation doesn’t breed success; it erodes it. It dulls creativity, chips away at motivation, and, over time, can leave you wondering why you ever started.
As a conversation from the Coworking Values Podcast puts it: “When you work alone, it’s easy to feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world. But the second you walk into a space where others are working on their own dreams, you’re reminded that you’re not the only one trying to figure it out.” This shared struggle—this sense of community—is what transforms the solitary grind into collective progress.
Openness isn’t just a nice idea; it’s the antidote to the loneliness epidemic that too often comes with being a one-person business. Let’s explore how embracing openness through coworking, collaboration, and connection can revitalize your creativity and your business.
Remote work, freelancing, and solo entrepreneurship promise autonomy and flexibility, but they come with a hidden cost: isolation. According to Steve King in Harvard Business Review, loneliness doesn’t just affect our mood—it undermines our ability to think creatively and solve problems.
When you’re alone, it’s easy to get stuck in a feedback loop of self-doubt or tunnel vision. The ideas you generate have no one to bounce off, no perspective to sharpen them,and no critique to refine them. A report from the State of Belonging 2023 captures this perfectly: “Creativity flourishes in environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and encouraged to take risks.”
But here’s the flip side: studies also show that coworking spaces reduce feelings of loneliness by 83%. Why? Because they’re built on the principles of openness and collaboration.
Why openness and not collaboration or socialization? Because before you can accept help, you must be open to new information. A lot of the time, when we are isolated, it’s because we’ve shut down and closed up. This is okay in the short term, or if we’re doing focused work, but when we get stuck, it might feel like going backwards or giving up to open back up again, abandoning our work to deal with our feelings.
Join a Community Builder CohortThe Solution: Openness as a Business Superpower
Openness is more than a mindset; it’s a strategy. It’s about intentionally stepping out of isolation and into spaces where ideas are exchanged freely, where feedback flows, and where connections spark.
1. The Power of Shared Spaces
Coworking spaces aren’t just desks and coffee machines—they’re ecosystems of creativity. In the Rural Coworking Guide, a coworking operator explains, “What happens here isn’t just work. It’s serendipity. A conversation in the kitchen becomes a partnership. A casual question sparks a breakthrough.”
When you step into a coworking space, you surround yourself with diverse perspectives, skill sets, and experiences. This environment doesn’t just combat loneliness; it supercharges creativity.
2. Collaboration Without Competition
One-person businesses often fear collaboration because they mistake it for competition. But in coworking communities, collaboration thrives without the pressure to outperform. The State of Belonging highlights this dynamic: “Coworkers celebrate each other’s wins as if they were their own. It’s not about taking credit; it’s about shared growth.”
When you share openly—whether it’s an idea, a challenge, or even a small success—you invite others to contribute, improve, and expand on your vision.
3. Emotional and Professional Support
Openness also means being honest about struggles. A coworker from the podcast shared, “Sometimes, you just need someone to say, ‘Yeah, that sounds tough. Keep going.’ That tiny moment of connection makes all the difference.”
Beyond the emotional boost, the professional support in coworking spaces is invaluable. 82% of coworkers say these spaces expand their professional networks, leading to unexpected opportunities【35†source】.
Openness doesn’t mean you have to share everything with everyone. Start small:
- Join a Coworking Space: Pick one that aligns with your values. Look for spaces that emphasize community and accessibility.
- Engage in Conversations: Spend time in shared spaces. Ask questions, offer help, and listen. These small interactions build trust and open doors.
- Share Your Work: Whether it’s a half-formed idea or a finished product, share it. You’ll be surprised at the insights and encouragement you receive.
- Commit to Connection: Attend a workshop or host a meetup. Even if you’re an introvert, these structured moments of connection can be game-changers.
Your Next Step: Build Your Community
As the author of this piece and a dedicated guide for those navigating the challenges of one-person businesses, I know what it’s like to feel the weight of doing it all yourself. But I also know what it’s like to walk into a room full of people who remind you: you don’t have to.
That’s why I created the Community Builder Cohorts at Third Place Works. These aren’t just workshops; they’re transformative spaces where you’ll find the openness, collaboration, and support you need to thrive.
Let’s take the first step together. Visit Third Place Works to learn more and join a Community Builders Cohort to get the support you need.
Because openness doesn’t just solve isolation—it sparks growth, builds resilience, and turns your business into something extraordinary. And it starts with one step: showing up.
Join a Community Builder Cohort