Does this sound familiar?

“It’ll all be good, Terri, once I get there.”

In the past month, I’ve had multiple conversations centered on a comment just like this. Some were with coaching clients, others with solopreneur colleagues.

All were about shifting goalposts, and the nirvana (less stress, more money, top-notch clients, etc.) that would arrive “once things finally come together.”

Now, if an idea shows up this often, I know it’s a newsletter topic.

So in today’s mini masterclass, I want to share how you, as a visual thinker, can avoid the most painful solopreneur trap.

The fallacy of “getting there”

The “when I get there” mentality is a common pitfall for solopreneurs. It's the belief that happiness and success are just around the corner, always tied to the next big achievement.

We tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy when I land that big client.” Or, “I’ll feel successful once I reach a certain income level.”

When we finally reach a goal, the sense of achievement is fleeting. We often discount it and quickly set new, higher goals.

The endless chase

This cycle of postponing fulfillment creates an endless chase, leaving us feeling like we’re never good enough and that our efforts are never rewarded.

This mindset can result in frustration and resentment for our work. It obscures the joy of being a solopreneur through an endless search for the next big thing.

Visuals to the rescue

By shifting our focus and using visual thinking strategies, we can learn to appreciate the journey, celebrate small wins, and set realistic goals.

Why visuals? Because they leverage the brain’s ability to process images faster than text. They break down complex goals into smaller, manageable parts. Visual tools like diagrams, mindmaps, or charts capture our attention and make it easier to stay focused and on task.

Visual thinking also encourages us to look at problems from different angles. It often leads to creative solutions and opportunities that other approaches miss.

Have you tried these?

Here are three visual thinking tools for solopreneurs to navigate the endless chase. See which resonate with you.

Vision boards
A vision board is a collage of images, words, and quotes representing goals and dreams. It serves as a visual reminder of what you’re striving for and helps keep you motivated. Solopreneurs can use vision boards for both personal and professional goal visualization.

Mind maps​
Mind maps are freeform diagrams representing tasks, concepts, or items linked around a central concept. They help solopreneurs brainstorm, organize thoughts, and see relationships between different parts of their goals. Visually mapping these elements makes it easier to develop a clear action plan.

Kanban boards​
Kanban boards use cards and columns to visualize workflow. They can track project progress, manage daily tasks, and ensure incremental achievement. Solopreneurs also use the visual representation of their kanban to-do lists to stay organized and on track.

Work the tool

Choosing the right visual tool is just the first step. It’s important to put it to use.

✅ Set Realistic, Achievable Milestones
By visualizing your goals, you break them down into smaller, attainable milestones. This helps avoid the trap of constantly moving the goalposts.

✅ Stay Motivated and Positive
Visual reminders of your goals and progress can boost your morale and keep you motivated, making the journey more enjoyable.

✅ Track Progress and Adapt ​
Visual tools make it easy to see where you are, what’s working, and what needs adjustment. This real-time feedback allows you to adapt your strategies and stay on course.

Incorporating visual thinking into goal-setting and daily routines helps solopreneurs create a clearer path to success and avoid the trap of the endless chase. It also creates a happier and more satisfying journey.

❤️ My favorite visual delights

Here are this week’s gems from around the Web to help you build visibility, credibility, and authority:

​TikTok’s sonic logo​
In our torrential information age, sonic logos are becoming an important part of a brand identity. (Think of the “ta-dum” with that deep resonance each time Netflix starts up.) This podcast explores the creation of the TikTok sonic logo through thousands of iterations, its multiple layers (including a dog bark!), and a final debate about a single note. Enjoy.

​Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions​
Psychologist Richard Plutchik developed this visual model to illustrate his idea that there are eight essential emotions (joy, trust, fear, surprise, sadness, anticipation, anger, and disgust). This site presents his framework in multiple dimensions, including an interactive version and an interpretive guide. Great inspiration if you’re developing your own model(s).

​Doodle Ipsum​
When designers mock up layouts, they include placeholder text that begins with “Lorem ipsum.” This fake language allows them to visualize text flow and typography without meaningful content. Now, Blush Design has created a similar tool for placeholder illustrations, with a fun name to accompany it.

Did you miss these?

Catch up on some recent popular issues of SOLO you may have missed.
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✅ Box up a competitive advantage!​

✅ When is empty space not empty?​

✅ Is your typeface telling the right story?​

✅ Meet the visual philosophers​​

Want to check out other past issues? Visit the SOLO Newsletter archive.

Thanks again for being a SOLO reader and coming along on this journey of visual exploration.
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Know someone who’s on an endless chase? Share this newsletter with another solopreneur.
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And if you received this issue from a friend, I invite you to subscribe.​

See you next week,