The first step in starting a business you love is
to uncover what your core passions and skills are. Here are some
exercises you can do to help you do that.
How Are You Perceived By Others?
Many
times it is much easier to see the strengths of others than it is to
see the strengths that lie within. So, in this exercise I want you to
create a list of three people who know you well and whose opinion you
respect.
Then you're going to send them a letter or email asking them
to take a few minutes to help you find your calling. This exercise was
modified from one I found in Inc. Your Dreams by Rebecca Maddox. Here
is a sample of that letter or email:
To: My Good FriendSubject: Small Favor of 5 Minutes
Hi My Good Friend,
I'm doing a self-assessment, taking a look at some new options in my life. I would really appreciate your candid feedback.
Please take FIVE MINUTES, no more, to answer the following questions:
1.
If I had the opportunity to step out of my current career or role and
try something completely new, what would you see me doing and why?
2. If you were describing me to your mother, what is the first word you would use?
3.
What are the two things you wish I would change about myself? (Be
honest, now!) Please, only one sentences for each of the two changes.
4. What do you see as my driving force? In other words, what do you think makes me tick?
Thank you for your time and effort. You don't know how much this means to me.
More
than likely, you will be surprised by what you get back. When I did
this exercise, I discovered parts of myself that I had never even
noticed before.
Now read through the answers you get. Do you see any trends? Did you get any "aha!"s?
Embrace Your Inner Child
Do
you remember what you dreamed about when you were just a kid? What did
you want to be when you grew up? When I was five, I wanted to be an
anthropologist. I went through many sciences - archeologist,
planetologist, paleontologist, astronomer, everything-ologist - before
I finally settled on science writer when I was in college. Write down
your list here:
Now,
remember the games you used to play when you were a kid. What did you
do when it was just you and you had to entertain yourself? When I was
about 7 years old, I had a bad bicycle accident and scraped the side of
my face really bad. The doctor said I needed to stay indoors and rest
for a few days. So what did I do? I created a board game based on One
Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss. In my teens, I used
to play teacher and give my sister homework - which she never did, I
might add. What did you do with your time? Write down your list here:
Now
take a look at these two lists. Do you see any patterns? If not, have
someone whose opinion you trust take a look at them and see if they
notice any patterns. From these two lists, you will see a recurring
pattern of activities that draw you and skills that you exercise
naturally. These will most likely be related to your core passions and
interests.
Why are you doing all this, you may ask? Because a
business you love HAS to be built around your core passions and
strengths. Also, a business that is built around your core interests
and skills has a much better chance of attaining longevity and being
successful.
Would you like to learn more tips and tricks for growing and nurturing a business you love? Then visit http://www.womensbusinessgallery.com and sign up to get your copy of "StART Your Business" and gain access to a library of business building information at the Women's Business Gallery blog.
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