Have you been circling numerous ideas without actually landing on the runway to launch your business?
Do you often feel like a frequent visitor to the land of confusion when it comes to deciding who your dream client is, which business idea to focus on first, or when to pivot and get the results you’re truly after?
If you don’t know what you really want in business, you’re not alone.
When we are searching for the answers to entrepreneurship’s toughest questions, that search always seems to be directed outside of ourselves.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll look for someone else’s answers to your most pressing questions. You may say to yourself:
“What do I really want?”
“I mean, what actually lights me up?”
“Is what lights me up the same as that successful entrepreneur I listened to on stage?”
“Or perhaps, it’s the same as that guy that’s in every industry publication I admire?”
Drag that colossal idea into the light
It’s a toughie, but the answer, my friend, is within. So, here’s a look at five ways you can drag that colossal idea into the light, settle on what the “perfect client” means for you, and what next right move will make the most difference in your business.
Pro tip: You don’t have to decide on all of those things at once and – here’s the biggie – you are allowed to change your mind.
1. Meditate
I’m not saying sit cross-legged and chant mantras. Meditation in its most simplistic form is the act of giving your attention to only one thing, either as a religious activity or as a way of becoming calm and relaxed. You can walk in nature, go running, color, sew, knit – anything that allows you to get into the flow and still your mind. Personally, I find that mindfulness meditation is one of the best ways to create space for my ideas to blossom.
2. Journal
It’s a time-tested method that actually works. “Journaling (or keeping letters or diaries) is an ancient tradition, one that dates back to at least 10th century Japan.” Successful people know that “Writing can do wonders for your health. Beyond keeping your creative juices flowing—a separate topic we’ll get to shortly—regular writing can give you a safe, cathartic release valve for the stresses of your daily life.”
Practice free writing for 30 minutes a day for one week and I promise you things will crystallise. Free writing is writing “continuously for a set period of time without regard to spelling, grammar, or topic. It produces raw, often unusable material, but helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and self-criticism.” I recommend placing a Rosemary Essential oil diffuser in your space to wake up the emotional and creative centres of your mind. Also, creating a dream board can help bring clarity.
3. Find your muse
You’ve probably heard the notion that all great artists have had their muses. In the art world, “Art is both powerful and personal. Different pieces of art were created with different intentions. Various things inspire artists; some artists are inspired by nature while others are inspired by fantasy. However, the most common form of inspiration comes from another person – a muse.”
In the business world, the same inspiration can be found in your muse. I don’t mean copy someone; far from it. Instead, search for people in your space who have the life and business you want. Look at their pictures, websites, content and listen to how you feel inside. Can you see yourself doing that, being that and serving those people? Close your eyes and visualise yourself in that role and note how it feels in your heart.
4. Suck it up and see.
Yes! I just wrote that. Sometimes the best way of finding out what you really want is to choose a path and see how it works out. I’ve made choices based on the flip of a coin before and you’ll soon find out what you don’t want if things don’t work out as you’d hoped. These experiences are not wasted, they are merely a part of your learning journey and your business will be enhanced by the path it took you to get there.
5. Get a mentor
If you’re really stuck or you want to see quick results and benefit from someone else’s experiences then a business mentor is the way to go. Investing in yourself is big sign to the world that you are ready to succeed and a good mentor will ask the right questions and hold you accountable whilst you build your biz. No one said it was easy, but the best way through is always forward, and as the master of your own destiny you are always on the right path.
This article has been edited and condensed.
Abigail Lemon is the founder of The Real Woman’s Coaching Company, helping entrepreneurial women leave their corporate 9-5 and create a business they love. Abi’s corporate background is in publishing, recruitment and financial advice, but she also used to run her own successful health and wellness practice and is now studying for a BSc in Acupuncture in her ‘spare’ time. Connect with @realwomanco on Twitter.
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