I've been doing a little snooping into Santa's mail, and I've found three things that seem to be on the wish lists of most solo business owners. See if they're on your list, too.

1. Meaningful work.
As soloists, we want to do work that engages our mind, feeds our curiosity, and makes time stand still. Oh, and if it can help make the world a finer place, that's even better.

2. Connections.
We may be working independently, but we don't want to be isolated. A community of kindred spirits -- whether based on geography or linked virtually across the Net -- provides support, information, and avenues for sharing the many aspects of our lives.

3. Compensation.
We seek to be compensated financially, but also in ways that will enhance our personal and professional satisfaction. Work that stretches and strengthens our skills and experience brings additional value to our business. And if you have appreciative and fun-loving clients on your list, Santa, we'll take them, too.

Of course, if Santa doesn't get a chance to deliver these to your solo business this year, you have a fresh New Year to create them on your own. (And we'll be talking about them here in the Working Solo Minute in the weeks and months ahead....)

Wherever you find yourself this holiday, may your days be filled with the joy of the season.

-- Terri Lonier
Founder, WorkingSolo.com

PS: Sorry for any confusion last week regarding how to "do" a 2009 copyright on your Web site. It was simply a nudge to make sure your site details are updated for the New Year -- another way to avoid your site looking stale and neglected.