After you've made the decision to strike out on your own and be an entrepreneur, deciding on a business to go into should be easy, right?
I mean you know what you're good at. You know what you like doing.
Hmmm…there's the issue. You like doing EVERYTHING!!
Now, I may not be talking to all of you here. Some people just know what they're meant to do.
Then there's those of us who are decisionally challenged who can flip-flop daily (or hourly) on which business avenue to pursue.
Want to hear some good news?
You don't have to decide.
What I mean by that is you can create a business that incorporates your talents and your passions and you don't have to pick just one way to earn your living.
Matter of fact, given what we've been through these last few years in the economy, it's smart NOT to have just one way.
I'll use myself as an example. After I was downsized from my job four years ago, I knew I could sell houses. Problem was the market wasn't all that pretty plus I was suffering from a serious case of don't-care-if-I-never-sell-another-house-again burn out.
Not good when it's only thing you've done for a living for the last 17 years. I knew I'd always keep my real estate license, but also knew that I had other passions I wanted to pursue; passions that had been put on hold in the pursuit of a Real Estate career.
So I started looking, and looking, and looking. If looking could've been turned into a career, I'd be sittin' pretty right now.
Everyone said to really focus on the real estate, and even though I love working with my buyers still to this day; it didn't hold the same excitement that it used to. There had to be something more.
The search continued…I dabbled in a couple network marketing companies. I fell in love with internet marketing and put up some
websites. I started a little mobile marketing company. I wanted to do it all. Everyone said focus on one thing…and I just couldn't.
Then I came across the coolest book. It's called "Refuse To Choose" by Barbara Sher. When I started reading it it was like finally someone was speaking my language.
While I'm not going to do a full-on book review today, I'm giving it my whole-hearted recommendation for anyone who loves to do a bunch of things and would love to make a living at them, but doesn't have a clue where to start…or where to start first.
There are those people (like me) who have a lot of knowledge in a LOT of different areas and they love ALL of it.
When I tried to come up with my "one big thing", I took a look at all the experiences I've had. Let's see…
I was a military wife and mother for 20 years. At one point in time I added up all the time I held down the fort by myself. It totaled almost 12 of those 20 years. I could talk to Military spouses and retirees…
I've sold Real Estate for the last 20 years in the highly crazy Las Vegas market.I could talk about real estate…
Most of the time I sold new homes and worked so hard (my fault) that I developed Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. I could help people with the same thing and let them know what to do to feel better…
I'm a mom of four awesome kids. Two of them have special needs and my youngest, Emanuel, I adopted in Colombia, S.A. as a single mom in 2004. Maybe I could help parents of special needs kids or adoptive single parents…
Maybe this, maybe that…eeeeeek!
It was driving me nuts. That's when I found Barbara Sher's book. What I found was there are certain people who do lots of things well. You'll learn that you can actually earn a living doing lots of different things. And you'll learn that it's OK.
I'm going to be talking about this more in future posts and I'm gonna be giving you different examples of how to turn those things you love into income.
Stay tuned and be sure you sign up for my free report to the right. If you've even thought about starting your own business; read it, today's post will make perfect sense.
Let me know what you think about having a passion for and making a living with a bunch of different things. Look forward to hearing from you…
Thank you for sharing Beth! Look forward to your future related articles…Hughie 🙂
It sounds like you've lived so many lives in such a brief period of time (you're still young!) … I look forward to hearing more of your journey in helping new entrepreneurs, as I am one, myself! Thanks for a great article, Beth… I love your style! 🙂
Love this!! I too have found myself asking this exact question as I have so many interests! I can't wait to read your next post! Happy to know that I am not the only one!
You’re welcome Hughie!! Looking forward to sharing lots of ideas…stay tuned 🙂
Thanks Jen!! Nope you’re definitely not the only one. Sometimes I feel like I’ve got multiple personality disorder because I have so many things I love to do. 🙂 There is a way to do it all without making yourself a crazy person AND making money at it in the process…bonus!!
Hi Susan…thanks bunches!! It’s funny you said that because I sometimes refer to some of the things I’ve done as my “other lives” 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the article…stay tuned for many more.
Hi Beth. you have quite the interesting story. when I read it now I know why you know Jeff & Judy. Can't wait to see what your #1 passion is that will carry you forward into the future with this website.
Ahhhhhh, FInally I have met someone just like me…with the same, exact issues! I mean about Why choose? (never sold real estate, but worked as a floral designer for over 30 years) I have successfully done many things in my life, all of which I love doing. I am familiar with Barbara Sher but need to get my hands on this book! Thanks for sharing and I wish you much luck on your path or paths. Perhaps our will cross one day!
This article came at just the right time for me! Looking forward to more…thanks!
Looks like we have a lot in common, Beth. I was a military spouse for 23 years and now my oldest son has gone down the military road as well. Great article and thanks for sharing!
I'll have to read the book you mentioned. I have a variety of specialties. 🙂 Great article.
Great post! Perhaps some interests can be developed into product lines while others can rest more in the core mission of the business. I hate giving things up, too. Always looking for a way to bring it all together without compromising the quality of services.
Enjoyed your post! I will be back 🙂
What a wonderful article, I am so inspired to read the book and recommend it to some other wonderful multi talented individuals in my life.
What an inspiring story…love hearing from your heart and your life. I feel as if I know you so much better this week. I can't wait to 'stay tuned' and hear more!!
Hi Pat, Yup…life has been interesting to say the least, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Cool thing is there’s MUCH more to come. Have a great one!!
I’m smiling right now Michele because that’s exactly how I felt when I read that book. It helped me make the decision to coach and mentor folks just like us who love, and are good at, LOTS of things, but make ourselves crazy trying to choose “the one thing”. For us there isn’t any one thing. We’re not crazy, we’re gifted and if we don’t do those things our hearts desire we feel like we’re being suffocated. At least I did. I hope our paths cross, too. It will be fun to compare notes in person 🙂
That’s awesome Denny…so glad you liked it. We “scanners” as Barbara Sher calls it, have to stick together 🙂
Ahhh…military life. The memories 🙂 It’s definitely a different way to live, huh? Congrats to your son. My oldest was considering it, but a health issue kept him out. Now he’s my web designer…sweet! Mom’s not complaining a bit. Have a wondermous day, Kim!
Thanks!! The book’s great Lori, you’ll love it. It validated for me that it’s OK to do multiple things and to do anything else isn’t being who I was designed to be. Let me know after you’ve read it. I’d love to get your feedback.
Thanks bunches Mary Kate…glad you liked it!! Much more to come. 🙂
Thanks Lori!! Those are great ideas and ways of channeling those interests into income. There is a way to bring it all together and serve your clients well at the same time. (more about that in future articles) You’re happy, they’re happy, everyone wins!!
Thanks Beau! You’ll love the book. Barbara has written many books on the subject of working at what you love, but this one hit me right between the eyes. Everyone has their own sweet spot. For some folks though, there are a bunch of ’em…like your friends. It’s reassuring to know that we can work in all those spots and make a living at the same time.
Thanks so much Elise!! I feel the same about your story. You’re an amazing lady doing great work. Overcoming obstacles is definitely something we have in common. Glad you’re looking forward to more. Cant’ wait to share!! 🙂
Great story Beth, I am glad I am not the only one with this mentality. Everyone does business differently and I am happy to have found someone with whom I can relate.
So true Beth, it is a tough thing to figure out, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with the trouble. Good Luck figuring things out!
Thanks for sharing!
I love your style Beth. It is really nice to hear a very inspiring story that comes from the heart. Looking forward for your next post. 🙂
Boy, can I relate to this article. Too many interests and exciting ideas – not enough time!
Appreciate your insights and I'm really looking forward to your future posts.
I love your article! I can so relate, I am one of those that do a lot of stuff well and I've been battling with narrowing it to one thing… and I never could! Woohoo! I'm going to love reading more of your articles. Thanks so much! x0x
The LEARNED Preneur @ NormaDoiron.NET
Great article, Beth! I look forward to more of your inspiring posts 🙂
Beth thank you for sharing your story! It is not easy to make a decision as we can have more than one talent and also more than one purpose in this life… looking forward to your free report and also the next post! 🙂
Hi Karla, Thanks. Seems there are quite a few of us. Glad we found each other and can compare notes on how to run a different business successfully. Take care 🙂
Hi Jennifer, It can be tough, but you’re not alone. Hope you visit often and we can figure this thing out together. Have a great one 🙂
You’re very welcome, AJ!! 🙂
Thanks for the great book recommendation Beth, that one definitely appeals to me. Also, for sharing a big piece of yourself, I can relate to much of your story! While I am clear on my current mission, it seems like once you start doing things online you want to do EVERYTHING you do online because it's so much fun and so easy to serve so many people. I look forward to reading more from you.
Great post , Beth. It really brought out the point that if you focus on one thing you are good at then your cut the rest of yourself off from your business. I'm looking forward to more posts about this. Thanks, Beth!
Looking forward to the follow up articles. Wow I admire you being a great parent to these special needs kids. Keep me engaged in your life. Thanks for sharing and I can feel your heart and transparency Beth.