You cannot be all things to all men: 4 steps to discovering your true business path

One of the major steps to success for business owners is the ability to become laser focused on the right audience that actually want and need their products/services.  Being able to develop solutions for your target audience and build expert status will certainly lead to success. But how do you discover the right product/service and the right people to focus on? How do you determine where you want your focus to be?

1. Pay Attention to your Instincts

A lot of times, we are so dogmatic with our lives; we stubbornly focus on a path even when our instinct is screaming otherwise.  For the first time in my life, I can truly say I love my job.  I mean, I really love it! Not the kind of love I think I felt on Monday mornings when I was an employee, so I could get out of bed and get to work.  I learnt that there is absolute no joy in pretending to love something when you don’t.  Sticking with a job, just to satisfy the need to be seen doing something can’t be healthy in the long run.  When you identify that you are not happy with where you are at, do not ignore it.  Take time to discover why you feel that way and commit to do something about it.

If you work as an IT contractor and the job and money you earn no longer mean anything to you, pay attention to those feelings. If creating murals makes you come alive, then take time to research how you can do this more often, but keep your job whilst you figure it all out – to take off the pressure.  You can take a leap towards something that is not remotely connected to your current job, as long as it makes you happy and you can live off it.

2. This Way or That Way?

There are many ways to do what you love and enjoy. You don’t have to create murals, you can actually teach people how to create their own or write a book about it. When you find a comfortable place to express what you are passionate about, you know you have found your business focus.

3. Determine Where Your Gifts Lie

Be honest about what makes you truly happy. Collate your skills sets and your interests; take time to discover how you can combine the two to create the lifestyle you truly deserve. It is important that you figure out how your gifts align with a business you’ll love.  It may take a few weeks before it all comes to you, but believe me it will.  Take your mind off just making money for a bit and be honest with yourself about what you will really love to do.  Money is essential to our lives but it will not cure unhappiness if we keep finding ourselves in jobs/businesses we absolutely loath.

4. Separate the Forests from the Trees

It can be helpful to talk to someone about what you want to achieve.  A business coach can help you weed through all your options and guide you to find the right path to follow.  Be mindful that a business coach can only act as a guide with your co-operation, so be sure that this is the next step you want to take in your life.

There is no reason why your passion cannot lead to a purposeful life with a lot of profit too.  You just have to figure out how to package your passion the right way.  Be creative, carry out extensive research and think outside the box. You make not find a novel idea but you may find a better way to do what already exists.  Make sure that you start a business that is aligned with your core values and offers you the ability to do things you love and enjoy.  When you find this, success is inevitable.

The only thing limiting you from saying “I love what I do” is you.  So take a bold step and explore the possibilities of the things that interest you.