What Color Is Your Parachute 2018 by Richard N. Bolles copy

When You Have No Idea What Business
You Want to Go Into
Let’s assume you want to be your own boss, but you have no idea what
kind of business you want to have. How do you start? There are four steps,
that any thorough, intelligent person should faithfully follow: Write. Read.
Explore. Get Feedback.
WRITE
1. Begin with chapter 8 in this book: Don’t just read it. Do it! As I
repeat throughout this book, Who precedes What. First get a clearer
picture of Who you are, before you try to decide What you want to
do. Ultimately, what you decide to do should flow from who you
are. When done, look at your whole Flower Diagram and see if any
or all of the petals give you an idea for your own business.
2. Get out a piece of blank paper, and jot down any ideas. Use this same
piece of paper for any ideas that come to you, as you do the rest of
these steps. You want it all on one page. (Something to do with the
right side of your brain, and intuition.)
3. Then write your resume, if you haven’t already, answering all the
questions you will find in chapter 2, under the heading: A Starter Kit
for Writing Your Resume (this page). When done, read it all over,
and see if anything there gives you an idea for a business of your
own. It may be that you have been doing it for years—but in the
employ of someone else. But now, you’re thinking about doing this
kind of work for yourself, whether it be as an independent accountant,
massage therapist, business consultant, repair person, dance
instructor, home decorator, home care nurse, craftsperson, or
producer or seller of some kind of product or service. If so, add your
great idea on that piece of paper.
4. If nothing inspires you, try Daniel Pink’s prescription: 2