Welcome to Issue #014 of SoloLIVE! Each week, I’ll share practical tips to streamline your solo business, right from my desk, to help you escape the grind and create a life on your terms.
Every solopreneur dreams of escaping the 9-5. But most don’t expect to swap a boss for burnout. The truth? When you go solo, the pressure doesn’t vanish - it multiplies. If you’ve ever caught yourself working late, running on fumes, and wondering if independence is worth the exhaustion, you’re not alone. There’s a smarter way forward.
Why ‘Solo’ Shouldn’t Mean ‘Drained’
Let’s face it: going solo can feel like playing every role in a company - at once. Marketing, sales, admin, content, support… it’s a classic recipe for overwhelm. Sure, hustle culture is baked into the journey. But as the solo landscape evolves, a quiet revolution is happening. More founders are turning to AI - not to do more, but to do less (of the stuff that drains them). The solo movement is shifting: real success is about working sustainably, not working endlessly.
When Hustle Backfires - Spotting Solo Burnout
Solo creators aren’t lazy - they’re relentless. That’s exactly why burnout is so sneaky. It shows up quietly: missed deadlines, half-finished projects, chronic fatigue, and that low-level dread before opening your laptop. Without boundaries, work invades weekends and rest becomes an afterthought. Sound familiar? Many swap the corporate grind for a new kind of grind they control - but control doesn’t always mean freedom if your systems are just as chaotic as your old job.
Ali Abdaal’s Burnout, and the Turnaround
Consider Ali Abdaal, the doctor-turned-YouTube educator. After leaving medicine, he dove headfirst into content creation - scripts, courses, newsletters. His calendar became a battleground. Ali has openly shared (even in his YouTube behind-the-scenes) how, despite “living his dream,” exhaustion crept in. He’d check emails at midnight, forget to exercise, and felt guilt about resting. The turning point? A total systems rethink. Ali began using AI to batch content ideas, automate scheduling, and, crucially, protect his health. Tools like Notion AI handled information management, while calendar bots booked in white space for breaks. The difference? More output, with less strain - and happiness that lasted beyond a viral video.
How AI Can Rescue Your Energy
You don’t need a full tech stack - just a handful of smart tweaks. Here’s how to start:
Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use Zapier or Make.com to create automations for anything you do twice - auto-file invoices, routine emails, simple client onboarding.
Prioritize Health with AI: Use tools like Rise or Motion to schedule “thinking blocks,” plus automated reminders for breaks and wellness check-ins.
Protect Deep Work: Task managers powered by AI (like Notion AI) can suggest your highest-impact task and even block distractions by sorting incoming requests into “urgent/important” folders.
AI for Client Management: Otter.ai transcribes meetings, leaving you more present. Scheduling bots let clients book time, no back-and-forth or calendar Tetris.
Inbox Zero - Finally: AI email filters sort noise from signal, so you only see what matters.
You’ll notice the shift: less firefighting, more creativity. And pockets of energy return—enough to finish strong, log off guilt-free, and, yes, enjoy being your own boss.
Your 7-Day Burnout Breaker
Pick ONE repetitive task that drains you - maybe email sorting, late payments, or setting up meetings. Research a free AI tool to automate it (Notion AI, Otter.ai, or customized Google Calendar automations). Commit to using it for a week. Each day, note how many minutes you save - and how your energy shifts. Small wins add up.
Reflection/Call to Action: Ready To Experiment?
What if AI could win back just 30 minutes daily for you - what would you do with it? Challenge yourself to try one new automation today, and share the impact with a fellow solopreneur. Real freedom isn’t about doing more. It’s about freeing up your mind and time.
That’s all for today. See you next week.