In my previous article, Step 1, your challenge for the month was to research where your passion lies. Based on your research you might have discovered that self investigation can lead us to two places; either we find out our answer or we realize we need to ask more questions to get that answer.
Finding your purpose takes great effort, but can be effortless all at the same time. It seems that once we begin pursuing that in which we were intended, everything falls into place. But the matter we have to realize is that time plays a great role.
Sometimes people are over night successes and others have to nurture their purpose for years to come. Keep in mind though, as long as you enjoy what it is you are pursuing and the motivation you have is strong, than that alone will sustain your ambition and provide your passion longevity.
Remember you are making a commitment to yourself. You should treat that commitment the same way you would treat a marriage or devoted friendship. The key is to value yourself the way you value others. Having a good attitude from the very beginning can make the difference and not only affect your career, but the people around you. Self dedication does show and the commitment will be reflected in your professional life and relationships.
Assuming you now have a general idea of what you would like to do, now you need to visualize how to get from Point A, where you are now, to Point B, where you would like to be. Sometimes it is easier to set up a structure for your business if you look at the large picture of your purpose and where you intend to be in the future. Granted your ideas and goals change as you change, but your general purpose will usually remain the same, it just branches out.
Now that you have researched what you want to do, take the time to research what others in your area of interest have already done. Conducting market research will allow you to get a feel for the industry you are entering. It's important to see what is out there. Look up trade journals and magazines. Really put some effort into getting involved with your career and learning about it. Every career has an abundant amount of resources available and a lot of that information is free. If you see a trade journal or magazine that you like, sign up for their newsletter. This will help keep you updated on industry events and trends.
Reading and researching can be one sided tasks. Sometimes it is easier to learn about your career by actually interacting with others in the field. This can be done on your own time instead of regular business hours thanks to the internet. Now you can find chat groups, users groups, and forums and you are not limited by time zones or borders.
One of my favorite resources is Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/. You can look up any particular subject and find a group where you can discuss some of your career objections. This is an excellent way to network with your peers and experts in the field. It is not uncommon to find a lot of other "newbies" in these groups as well as professionals. The most important thing is to not be afraid to ask questions. If you don't know what questions to ask then reading over the archives of a group is a great place to start. Groups vary in size and subject so what I suggest is to join a couple to see which ones fit your personal needs.
Another resource you can use is ListServ lists http://www.lsoft.com/catalist.html. Typically you subscribe through your email client to a discussion group within your field of interest. You can also do a search for "listserves" or "user groups" on the internet to pull up a vast amount of sites that list an array of groups. Not all lists are treated equal so again use your own judgment when joining.
I also personally like forum communities. You can often search for "forums" online to find one in your career field. It's a great opportunity to share your discoveries as well as learn from others. Not to mention you can do several searches within a forum and read old posts. This is a great way to see other member profiles which often reference their personal or business websites. Some forums even have a 'members' section that lists all their members profiles. Any profile with a "www" by their name usually has a live link to their site. Be sure to take the time and visit these sites for reference.
When you are visiting other people's websites in your field, I advise you to check and see if they have a links page. I have found so many great resources through other people's links pages. Also it helps you get an idea of what sites you can possibly request link exchanges from in the future.
By networking with others and conducting your own market research, you will gain a better sense of direction and get an idea where it is you want to be in the future with your career. If you see a website that you like, bookmark it. Then once you have collected enough information, go back and review your favorites once more. Ask yourself what do you like about it? What information was useful to you? Was the site visually appealing? Was the site easy to navigate? If not, what would you change? What information would you add? Take notes, write your thoughts down and remember? patience plus perseverance, equals purpose.
Artist and Inspirational Author Heather J. Tait work and articles are displayed internationally. She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships. Email: contact@silencespeaks.com Silence Speaks contact@silencespeaks.com
bedroom cleaning professionals Bannockburn ..Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More
Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More
In the heavy equipment cleaning business you can make good... Read More
Franchising Directory Sites-Paid Advertising, Lead Generation for FranchisingFranchising Directory Sites... Read More
There are only a handful of car wash franchises in... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More
Macon, GA goes after garage-gas station conversion detail/hand car washes... Read More
You only have so much time in a day right?So... Read More
The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More
If you are thinking of turning your current into a... Read More
Did you know that satisfaction is the number one emotion... Read More
With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More
Last week's question from Anthony R. on how to choose... Read More
The temporary staffing industry continues to expand, with yearly double-digit... Read More
Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small... Read More
What is the satisfaction & expectation review of the business... Read More
Introduction: This article is written as a general discussion on... Read More
While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..The story is told of a tiger chasing some goats... Read More
Why does a good business relationship rely on having some... Read More
Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More
Summer is a time for the outdoors, for that well-deserved... Read More
Most of us remember going to at least one garage... Read More
Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it... Read More
Q: I will be retiring this year at age 60... Read More
You're a small business owner with a hot new product... Read More
If you have ever had your antique shop or mall... Read More
Congratulations, you are starting a small business! You are taking... Read More
Senior citizens are generally not a large marketing segment for... Read More
Disclosure laws in franchising are suppose to help the consumer.... Read More
It is not surprising that some people may perceive Six... Read More
When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More
How do you find groups that are in need of... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
Shipping materials can be expensive! Even the styrofoam "peanuts" can... Read More
Financial Consultants are one of the fastest growing industries today.... Read More
Concrete cleaning can be a lucrative business to start. Here... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --People do business with... Read More
You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
Most business owners know when they need an accountant, but... Read More
Do you know what your genius work is? It's the... Read More
Manufactured and Mobile Home owners know that the weather this... Read More
Small Business |