Reflection Part 2: Is This Business For Me?

• November 28th, 2007
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This is Part 2 of the article I posted recently from the Barefoot Executive Newsletter:

Bare “Footnotes” :: Part 2 - Are you in the RIGHT Business?

Make sure you read PART 1 of this article before continuing. My intent is not to create dissatisfaction for you - but to encourage you to seek HIGH satisfaction from your chosen pursuits!

As I’ve said before, I don’t think it’s a question of whether you SHOULD be in business or not…but whether or not you’re in the RIGHT business for YOU!

Our last article posed some questions about your current business and your lifestyle. Continuing on…let’s probe a little further and see if we can find out what exactly DOES fit you, your values and your goals.

(as a side note…a book I recommend that changed my perspective and really opened my eyes about where I should be focusing my time & energy is Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot by Max Lucado. Wow!)

If you are “hating” or “dreading” portions of your work - or neglecting “checking in” or “showing up” then you have not created a business you’re passionate about…you’ve just created another JOB. Let’s explore a bit more!

Did you ask yourself these questions?

What are your strengths on the job? With your family? In social settings? What are others always complimenting you on? What have you won awards or bonuses for? When you’re in a group, what do others tend to assume about you? Are you the family “connecter” or “peacemaker”? Are you the reunion organizer or the one delegating who brings what to events? In social settings, are you the conversationalist or the observer? Are you the one introducing everyone to each other, making meaningful connections? Do you plan social occasions or go just because you feel obligated?

What are some natural talents and gifts you have? What makes you smile? What do you find yourself doing in your free time? What does everyone ask you to do because you’re so good at it? When you’re busy…what do you MISS doing? What are some things that seem easy to you that others don’t enjoy? What type of tasks do you tackle FIRST in your day because they bring you pleasure or seem effortless?

What do you LOVE in your business (or your job)? Don’t answer the way you think we want you to answer. Be honest. Do you love the money? Do you love the HOPE of the potential? (trick question) Do you love your associates? Do you love your time freedom? Do you love your product or service? Do you love helping others? Do you love being viewed as an expert? Do you love being able to clock in and out? Do you love being in charge? Do you love NOT being in charge? Do you love supervising people? Do you love NOT supervising people?

What do you tend to postpone, neglect or procrastinate about? Again, be honest. With me, it was the money details, the books. Do you stay “busy” with non-productive stuff so that you can avoid other things? Do you spend time with creative avoidance behaviors? (organizing your office/inventory/products/files) Do you always have a to-do list that doesn’t seem to get “done”?

When you feel the most confident, most successful? When do you feel like you’ve “scored?” When are you smiling the biggest? (payday doesn’t count!) What are your triumphs in life (not just business) Whether big or small…think of your victories and see what they have in common.

Now — as for business opportunities. Are you looking for long-term or short-term? Are you looking for something to replace your job income or something to supplement? There are legions of women who JUST want to earn some extra…for a vacation, a car payment, holiday fun money or private school tuition. Where do you fall? Do you want to earn a serious 6-figure income or would you rather look at part-time funds? You can do either/or - it’s up to YOU!

Now … for a just a moment, set income requirements aside. Yes — don’t think about money for a moment. I want to mention a few things I’ve noticed about gals who make it and gals who are just as burned out as when they worked for someone else.

If you need girl time … lots of social interaction … compliments on your new outfit … someone to notice your hairstyle … gals to chat with about the kids … people to celebrate your victories with you — then by all means … join a business or create a business that is conducive to that! Do NOT isolate yourself at home in a service-based business that “locks you away” from natural social settings. You will be unhappy. You can still work at home, but consider a “party plan” - or a situation where you have group meetings, a local network, company convetions, etc.

Conversely, if people get on your nerves … then do NOT put yourself in a situation that is reliant on lots of interaction and social stuff. You are setting yourself up for frustration and no amount of money is worth the aggravation! Meetings and “parties” will annoy you and rallies will push you over the edge, haha.

If you are really great with details and systems and administrative things — being a virtual assistant … a support to other business owners … might be right up your alley!

BUT, if you dread details, constantly avoid systems-related things and cannot motivate yourself to get these things done … being a VA for someone else would be a disaster for them and not very profitable for you.

If you want something that you can walk into fairly easily (you could literally start TOMORROW) … consider a direct sales or network marketing opportunity. You might even consider telecommuting for your current employer. This will require very little setup and few support systems. You can enter these arrangements with little cash investment and training is usually provided. You have a built-in support team with your upline, sponsor or employer and if it isn’t a good fit, you can walk away without alot of expense lost. That being said — I recommend you give ANY opportunity (unless it turns out to be immoral or unethical) about 6 months of concentrated effort (real honest-to-goodness effort) before you decide it’s not a good fit.

However, if you’d rather pay 4x the retail value than sell anything or recommend it to your friends, there will likely not be a direct sales or network marketing opportunity that appeals to you. My recommendation (even if you don’t feel sales-oriented) is to find a product that you are passionate about or use ALOT of yourself! Then, you’re at least getting your products at wholesale while you’re test-driving the business. (These businesses abound, by the way and are the business of choice and highly recommended by Donald Trump and other business “gurus” as a way to increase personal freedom and build wealth. Consider books, toys, cookware, cosmetics, home decorating, nutritional supplements, travel, electricity…you name it - there is likely a home-based business opportunity for it!)

And you know … there are many, many more tips we could share — but I just want to get you thinking today!

Next week … we’ll talk about WHY you need extra income. How to MAKE it. How to KEEP it. And some tips on what to do and what NOT to do!

Until then … be BLESSED — in life and in business!

Carrie Wilkerson, The Barefoot Executive &trade

© 2007 — you are welcome to reprint any of our articles if you include author credit and reference our website www.Barefoot-Executive.com

Tags: Home Based Business, Home Office, Is Direct Sales Right For Me?, NaBloPoMo, Work from Home