In these difficult times of Covid-19 and political and racial strife, it can be hard to focus on your own day to day life. Yet at the same time, please remember that you matter, too. And these times can be the perfect time to prepare for your own authentic future.
It’s through the change of our economic landscape that, if you’re creative, and listen to what I call your souls message, you can re-frame your life and step into a new beginning or simply adjust and give your life new breath.
We, as women, are ready more than ever, to take our place in our own self-designed world.
A study of fifteen women who left positions at fortune 500 companies to go into business for themselves stated why they did so. They all said that they felt status and money were not the main motivators in their daily work. The motivator was getting zest and energy from the work they did. They started their own companies for the opportunity to work collaboratively in a satisfyingly rewarding business of their own.
Do you have a passion to work for yourself? Or find a job opportunity that you can live your passion through? There’s no reason to work in a job or career that isn’t fulfilling, right? We as women are more than ever claiming our right to do work that is meaningful to us. And, my friend, it’s everywhere. You just have to put attention to finding it.
That’s why I’ve created these 10 steps into making your decisions on where you’re headed and how you want to make it happen.
- Take Stock. You may know exactly what interest you want to make into your career or you may need to take some quiet, “going-inside time” to determine which direction is best for you. If you are the one who knows exactly what you want to do but just need help getting there, good for you. But some of us can get pretty far away from our dreams while caught up in what I call the “day-to-days.” In that case, maybe make a list of the things that give you joy.
- Weigh Your Options: What’s the fit? Determine if you need to hang out your own shingle and go it on your own, purchase a franchise where a lot of the strategy is done for you, or incorporate your passion into a job opportunity for yourself? Loads more ideas can come from this kind of contemplation.
- Research the Need: Is what you have to offer what people are wanting and will you be paid for it? Can you earn a living doing what you feel passionate about?
- Make Your Plan: “A goal without a time frame is just a dream.” A Harvard study discovered that people who write down goals were 97% more likely to achieve them than those who did not. In addition, achieving your goals correlates to making more money. You’ve made your decision to move forward. You know what you want. It’s what excites you and you feel it in your soul, right?Put thought into your strategy. Every action comes with a plan. It’s just hard to do sometimes. For now, write an outline version of how you see yourself setting up your business and implementing it. Call people who have their own businesses or work in the field you are interested in and ask them questions. Shortcut the learning curve for yourself.
- Get the Tools: Educate yourself on what you need to work your plan. One of my favorite sayings is: “luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Years ago, I personally researched my company idea for nine months before I launched it.
- Line out your $$$$: There are many ways to finance your business from personal loans to SBA loans. when I started Business Women Connect, an online women’s leadership business, websites were really expensive. I’m embarrassed to say what I paid for that first website. What was cool was I was able to get an SBA loan. And since it was very early in the internet/online businesses world, this was back in the 90’s, that the SBA wrote about my business in their newsletter. Yes, we were truly unique back then. But today there are all kinds of opportunities if you need a lift up in the areas of finance. Micro loans, family funding, angel investors, even credit cards are used these days to get started. Do what works for you and research all the different ways to find funds.
- Find a Mentor or Coach: A mentor or coach can keep you on track, help you move along faster, encourage you when you get discouraged, and offer critical guidance and resources. Find someone who has a good reputation and strong background. It’s worth the money.
- Act on Your Plan: “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat!” Even baby steps can be the best way to begin.
- Have the Courage to Change Directions: Keep in tune with what is working and what is not working. Remember to be flexible and “listen” to what’s happening in your own work and the businesses around you. Your success is about what people actually want, not what you think they want.
- RET IT!: That is rational emotive therapy, a thinking process created by famous psychologist, Albert Ellis. I utilize this approach every time I am stuck with a difficult decision. You can, too. Simply say “what’s the worst that can happen?” If you are prepared for that, and you can accept it, it is worth the risk.
I’m so excited for you. You’ve created a beginning to a life that is authentic and a dream that can be actualized. Keep it coming.