Welcome to the Working Solo Minute, the 60-second newsletter designed specifically for solo entrepreneurs. To unsubscribe or change subscriber options, see the bottom of this issue.

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Here in New York State, the days are getting shorter, the temperature keeps dropping, and I hear from solo entrepreneurs who are struggling to overcome the tendency to hibernate and ignore their double-digit To-Do lists. How do successful soloists keep moving forward? Here are three guidelines:

1. Forget the why.
One of the most frequent comments I hear is "I wish I could figure out why I [fill in the blank: have no energy, can't get anything done, feel so tired, etc.]". My response: Once you've ruled out any physical causes, don't waste any more time psychoanalyzing yourself. Everybody hits a slump sometimes. Quit spinning your wheels on the introspection and focus instead on the tasks at hand.

2. Small tasks, small rewards.
Don't overwhelm yourself with mega-tasks. Chunk them down into simple, do-able steps that can provide positive momentum. Instead of "Create new marketing plan," think: "Make list of most valuable clients in last 12 months and ways they found out about me." Shift perspective to the micro level while keeping the big goals in sight.

Then, reward yourself with small treats along the way -- a 5-minute break for a fresh cup of coffee, a browse through a catalog, an online comic, or another pleasant diversion. Yes, you must be disciplined to return to the tasks at hand, but short spurts can often sustain momentum over a longer period.

3. Team up.
You've heard it here before: Working solo is not working alone. Reach out and connect with other soloists -- by email, phone, in person -- to stay on target with your plans. Some soloists make "work pacts" with each other to complete tasks by a mutual deadline. Others find kindred spirits for support in pushing back distractions and lethargy. What might work for you?

Solo success ultimately comes to the deal we make with ourselves -- to be productive, to manage time, to meet deadlines. It's in the daily constancy that success is forged, not the one-shot accomplishment.

-- Terri Lonier
Founder, WorkingSolo.com