A wise friend once told me, when bashing my head against a brick wall determined to find the ‘big idea’, that I should write down all the things I love doing. Then from that list look at all the things which I can make money from now without any further study or resources; and then work through those ideas to see which could offer me a gap to be my own boss.
I reckon many people think that hitting the nail on the head in terms of nailing a ‘big idea’ is a mysterious bottomless pit of darkness and confusion. Everyone has their own road block that makes them hesitate before taking the big step, and maybe this single step is causing you to freeze frame.
So here’s some simple help. Take out an exam pad and across the top write “Things I Love Doing”. Well done, that’s the first step to the light being a little less blurry at the end of the tunnel. Now, list seven to ten things which might include “I love working with kids / numbers / reading / computers” etc.
When you’re finished, ask yourself what three to five products or services that would make your life better, and what would they be? They might include things like “Nicer food in the tuck-shop” or “Easier way to tie my shoe laces” or “Someone to do my homework” or “A simpler way to wash dads’ car”.
Basically, the things that could make you and others more productive, efficient or simply give you more time.
So you have the list and some common ground and now you need to put them to your family and friends – run your ideas passed them asking them things like “would you buy or use this?”
Business start-up isn’t rocket science. It’s not easy to begin, but it’s not as complicated or as scary as many people think. It’s a step-by-step, common-sense procedure. Figure out what you want to do. Once you have the idea talk to people. Assess the risk. Persevere and don’t give up. Make this the year you’ll really do it!
