Creating Tomorrow

Dear Friend,

Fellow coach Myriam Callegarin recently published a list of things to take time to do when you are contemplating making the leap from the corporate world to self-employment. Because most of the individuals I coach are (future) entrepreneurs - and being an entrepreneur myself - I saw many of my own coaching questions (and personal thoughts) reflected in her list.

If you are currently on the road to self-employment (or about to start off on that journey), I strongly advise you to have a good look at this list (below the cut), and in a quiet moment spend time thinking about your own unique and personal response to each item.

Better yet: Grab an new notebook or journal and write down (long-hand!) what comes to mind as you read this list. This will not only help you better focus on your goal. In the weeks and months to come, reading back over your own responses will be a powerful motivational tool when the going temporarily gets rough or you confront yourself with the question “Why am I doing this?”

Trina

- Take time to identify your passions as well as what is important to you in your life
- Take time to be clear about what you expect from starting your own business
- Take time to identify your strengths, your skills, what motivates you
- Take time to identify what you do not like
- Take time to identify your weaknesses and the obstacles you tend to set yourself
- Take time to decide who you would like to work with and WHY

- Take time to find out what type of business would really suit you, considering all of the above
- Take time to identify who will support you emotionally, and to be kind to them : )

- Take time to identify what tools you need to learn and master
- Take time to choose who will support you starting & running your business (a lawyer, a coach, etc.)

- Take time to identify your resources
- Take time to define a strategy and set up an action plan
- Take time to write a marketing plan (so many new ideas can unfold!)
- Take time to write a business plan - be very aware of your finances

- Take time to identify the best places for you to network
- Take time to network in any place you love, even if it’s not related with business!
- Take time for the people in your growing network

- Take time to decide what you want to focus on in your daily work
- Take time to delegate those tasks that you don’t like and that drain your energy and time
- Take time to celebrate your successes, and to remember them in those times things do not go as you wish!
- Take time for the things and people you love, including yourself: Work is not everything, and if you feel balanced you will have more energy at work as well.

Did I mention to take time? Even if you have great ideas and you would love to implement them at once, take your time to plan each step carefully.

Starting an own business is a wonderful adventure, with continuous ups & downs and nice & bad surprises as you go. If you get ready properly, you will still experience them, but the journey will be smoother!

Are you considering starting your own business? Or are you simply doing a research?

Whatever you do, enjoy it!