Chapter 1: Self Assessment
Before you start it's a good thing to understand yourself, do you have the right skills and mindset for your business choice running a business is a life commitment and should not be taken lightly.
The best way to do this is by self, assessment, this is a simple exercise, but it will take time and importantly honesty. Why honesty, to be successful in business you need to be honest with yourself, when doing your self assessment if you take any shortcuts the only one your are cheating is yourself.
To take your first step, into starting a business grab a pen and paper and follow these steps. As you work through the exercises, take notes, write down real answers, don't worry too much about a precise answer often your first is the best.
Great, let's begin.
What are you good at
We all have our gifts and talents (skills), and these skills can be a real asset for running a business.
Make a list of five to ten things you are good at, it could be we are good at conversation, that's a great asset that can be turned into a communication skill.
As you start listing out your skills you will be surprised at what you have inside you, keep it up and tap into yourself.
Now create a second list only this time list what you are not good at. Now I suppose you are asking why and saying shouldn't I be focusing on what I am good at and using this to help with my business. Yes true, but the reasons will be come apparent later as you will refer to this list when you are building a business plan.
"We all have our gifts and talents
(skills) and these skills are a real
asset for running a business.
Your Goals
What are your goals, everyone has goals; whether they are business or personal it doesn't matter make two lists one for business and one for personal. Don't worry if you have the same goal on each list.
Writing your goals gives you a great tool you can use as you go along.
Having goals gives you a reference to check against and gives you a great sense of accomplishment as you achieve them and then check them off.
Make a list of goals, such as, where you want your business to be in one year, two and five years, how much money do you want to be earning.
Your first goal will likely be start your own business, well done you are already in the right mindset, keep it up!