Finding Where You Are
Take a moment to contemplate where you’re at right now in life. Consider anything that’s important to you–work, home, finances, relationships–and jot down a few points for each of these questions on your own or on your companion worksheet:
- What are the realities of your life, including responsibilities, that you have right now? How full is your plate?
- What are some things that make you happy?
- What are things that make you unhappy?
- What do you want to create?
- What does your ideal life look like with your new business?
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This is a snapshot of where you are at this moment in some succinct points and a little bit about where you would like to go. This is YOUR outline, so put in the things that get you really excited along with it!
Turning It into An Idea
It’s time to look inward at a number of things to help narrow down a good business idea for you. As you work through each section, take note of some of your thoughts and responses on your companion worksheet.
What do you really like doing?
Think about the types of things that you love to do. Are you passionate about your current job? Why? What are your hobbies? Do you enjoy volunteering? List your passions briefly. You may notice that some things are starting to create a pattern!
What are your gifts and graces?
List the abilities, experience and strengths you have that may contribute to your ideal life. Keep in mind that your skills need not be strictly from your professional life – list skills developed in your personal life as well. Your business may be founded on a combination of skills from all your walks of life.
What have you done before?
Write down the things you’ve accomplished of which you are most proud. Is there anything in particular that you’ve done that might help with running your own business?
What will your hours be?
How much time do you want to, or can you, invest into your business right now? Do you want a part-time or full-time business? Also take a moment to think about where you will run your business.
Your Mission Statement
This is your personal mission, your values and what drives you forward, all wrapped up into a concise statement. To write this, you should draw on everything you’ve already discovered about yourself in the previous boxes, and bring it all together into a clear statement of your principles and priorities.