Success with Adversity: How to Easily Grow an Online Business with Parkinson's

byGlenPalo

4K followers

Updated 5 days ago

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a bit like an unwelcome guest who shows up and refuses to leave. It's a long-term progressive neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects movement (motor). You might experience tremors, stiffness, and even some trouble with balance. Parkinson's also has a non-movement (non-motor) component. Non-movement symptoms may include anxiety, apathy, depression, constipation and nausea, fatigue, sleep disorders, and speech & swallowing issues. It's not just your body that takes a hit; your mood and mental health can also face their challenges.

Living with Parkinson's, I deal with balance, muscle stiffness, and a host of emotional ups and downs. It's like riding a roller coaster, but I didn't buy a ticket. Some days are good, and I feel on top of things. Others might feel like I am swimming through quicksand or worse, such as the day I fell at home, fracturing a vertebra in my lower back. My emotional ups and downs affect how I think, work, and even enjoy the little things in life.

Now, imagine trying to juggle these challenges while managing a business. My cognitive functions might play hide-and-seek on me, making decision-making tricky. Decision-making often requires more time and patience than I may have anticipated. Days when concentration falters can add to the frustration, impacting productivity and business growth.

Balancing health management and entrepreneurship becomes an art form. You've got to learn how to listen to your body while keeping your business goals in sight. It's about creating harmony between nurturing yourself and being the boss of your venture. This balance is crucial and will set the stage for how you approach challenges moving forward.

How I Navigate the Business Landscape: Strategies for Success

Running an online business with unique challenges can sometimes feel like a tightrope. Building a resilient framework that can withstand those wobbly days is essential. Start by figuring out what systems work best for you, whether a routine that flows with your energy patterns or tools that automate tasks when you need a breather.

Technology can be your best business partner. Many apps and software are designed to make life easier, so don't shy away from exploring options like project management tools or apps that streamline customer communications. It's about working smarter, not harder.

Jitbit Auto Text for Windows and Grammarly are the workhorse apps I use daily.

With Jitbit, I create and assign acronyms to snippets of text. When I type the acronym, Jitbit auto-fills the text assigned to the acronym. For example:

• 1gpe = glen.palo71@gmail.com
• wa468 = https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/banners/show/wa_not_magic_468x60.jpg
• wa468u = (my actual WA affiliate URL)

I use Grammarly mostly to correct typos and spelling errors because I have lost my fine motor skills due to Parkinson's. I struggle using a keyboard and mouse, often clicking the wrong keys or clicking my mouse at the wrong time or spot.

If Siri or Alexa could understand what I was saying, I would use a speech-to-text app. I should also look for a much better microphone.

Stress and energy management are also essential. I incorporate mindfulness or regular breaks into my day to help keep my mind clear and morale high. I also monitor my energy levels because I expend a lot of energy at home. Whoever said Parkinson's was a movement disorder was not joking! Consequently, I plan my tasks accordingly, tackling more demanding jobs when I am at my best, usually after taking my medication.

Time management is another biggie. Creating flexible plans can help me respond to unpredictable situations, whether a sudden downturn in health or a surprise opportunity. Allowing room for spontaneity ensures that neither my health nor my business gets left behind.

Sharing the Journey: Leveraging Personal Stories for Business Growth

In business, sharing your personal story can be a game-changer. Authenticity is your superpower, and I have started weaving my experiences with Parkinson's into my "brand." My experiences will make me unique, relatable, and resilient. People love connecting with real stories so I won't hold back on my journey.

Content that resonates goes a long way in building relationships and triumphs in your day-to-day life. It can help break stereotypes and show that living with Parkinson's doesn't define my capabilities.

Storytelling is a powerful tool for shaping perceptions and inspiring others. I use it to share my journey and encourage others to see possibilities rather than limitations. Your story can motivate someone else to take that first step into entrepreneurship.

Being part of a supportive online community like Wealthy Affiliate, bonded by shared experiences, can bring a sense of solidarity that's hard to find elsewhere.

The Parkinson's Foundation has lots of good information here.