When Opportunity Knocks...7 Unconventional Ways To Prepare For Your Chance Of A Lifetime
Monday, November 13, 2006
Usual advice to entrepreneurs focuses on practicalities like
learning to evaluate the market, write a business plan or raise
money. But this assumption that we've already found the perfect
idea or business opportunity is just plain wrong!
As a kid I dreamed that someday I would have my own business.
In my 20's I kept my eyes open, freelanced a bit and even had a
little web start up with a friend that turned out to be more of
a hobby than a sustainable venture. I completed an MBA and
studied entrepreneurship, and along the way I wrote a number of
appealing business plans. Unfortunately, none of those
businesses were appealing to me.
Truth was I didn't know what my dream looked like. I was
surrounded by great opportunity but I hadn't spent enough time
honing my receptors to know which opportunity was right for me.
What was missing was the atypical business advice: To find my
perfect business opportunity I had to find myself first. I
needed to assess ME before I could even look at the market!
How will you recognize the idea or business opportunity that is
the perfect fit for you? Do you know what gives you the passion
and energy that you'll need to start a business? Steel your
courage and get ready to dive in: knowing yourself
objectively, good and bad, inside and out, is essential for
recognizing your perfect opportunities.
Here are some unconventional ideas to help you prime your
entrepreneurial pump:
1.Specialize - in Yourself
Take the time to inventory your most important values and
goals. Evaluate your strengths as well as your blind spots.
Remember that it's not easy to read the label when you're
inside the bottle, so solicit help from friends you respect and
who know you well. My friend Jim was stunned to realize that not
everyone loved talking to people the way he does. He had
discounted his talent for networking because for him it's as
natural as breathing and he assumed everyone could do it. These
overlooked gifts are often our easiest, most energizing and
valuable skills.
2.Generalize - in the World
You're an expert in your field, no doubt, but don't forget that
there is a whole world out there. Be curious and pay attention
to different industries, trends and patterns. Many of the
biggest breakthroughs come from making connections between
previously unrelated needs. Visit the newsstand once a week to
pick up a publication you would otherwise never read. Watch the
ideas start flowing. Collect the ideas that are most intriguing
to you. Are there any patterns?
3.Take a Vacation
Sometimes a break from your routine is needed to reconnect with
your creativity, insights and passions. Have you ever been
driving a car or daydreaming in the shower when suddenly an
amazing revelation pops into your head? A relaxing vacation can
have the same effect on a grander scale. Give yourself time to
dream.
4.Prepare Your Financial Attitudes
You've heard all the advice about preparing your bank account
for the big leap, but you must also tune up your money
attitudes. An off-kilter relationship with money can derail
your entrepreneurial dream. My client Lori, whose business was
slipping, examined her beliefs and found she wanted to protect
money, and thus failed to take needed risk. Now that she's more
comfortable with money, and bolder, her business is thriving!
Appreciate money as your would a business partner and create a
good relationship with it, before you start the company.
5.Kick Butt at Work
While you develop your entrepreneurial dreams, redouble your
commitment to your current job. Do great work for co-workers
and clients. Develop relationships and a sterling reputation.
So what if these people are not among your first customers,
they can become your greatest advocates! Do your day job to the
best of your ability and be someone that others are proud to
refer.
6.Befriend Your Fears
We all have them - big, tummy-knotting fears or little nagging,
"I'm not good enough" worries. Learn to recognize the limiting
perceptions or attitudes that may become speed-bumps on your
way to success. When acknowledged, these fears become allies
that will actually make you more successful: Business owner,
Lisa, is a creative visionary who shivers at the thought of
implementation. For sure, she will want to hire a crackerjack
implementer for her team. Seek opportunities that minimize the
effects of your fears, or consciously prepare to accommodate
them with additional training, specific people in your team or
advantageous alliances.
7.Discover - and Live -- Your Personal Brand
When people's perception of you is in sync with the real you,
life gets a whole lot easier. Act consistently on your values
and beliefs, and people will recognize what you stand for, what
you can be counted on to do, and how you will do it. This makes
it easy for others to introduce you to the perfect people, the
perfect companies, and perfect ideas. An authentic personal
brand gives you a high likelihood of finding the perfect
opportunity. After all, your unique dream comes from who you
really are.
About The Author: Laura Koehne, founder of THRIVE Against the
Grain, coaches you to take the road less traveled with complete
confidence. She holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from University
of Maryland and has realized her entrepreneurial dream by
helping others find theirs. For coaching, guidance and
additional exercises to help you prepare for your chance of a
lifetime, visit her website at
http://www.ThriveAgainstTheGrain.com and subscribe to Laura's
DoWhat!? monthly eZine.
posted by Dennis Cheesman @ 5:42 AM,
