Tips to get focused on one idea to start with?

by amywah
13 replies
The more I read the more I am unsure of a starting point. I have never really had my own business. (unless you count the magazine that I started when I was 7!!) I have an associates degree in early childhood education. I currently work from home for a large roadside service organization. I make OK for the type of job it is, but I know I want more. I just don't know where to start. I can't seem to find my "big idea".

I am not asking anyone to do it for me, but I would like a few tips on a starting point on what to read first, here or elsewhere.
Thank you in advance.
#focused #idea #start #tips
  • Profile picture of the author yragcom1
    Honestly, take a look at a bunch of stuff. See which one thing appeals to you the most. Then study the crap out of that one thing for 7-14 days straight. Explore it from every angle. Answer every question that may pop up, either by research, or asking here. Get the big picture view of it, and explore the details of it as well. If you can find a mentor in that field and can afford it, get one. When you're convinced you've got the answers, execute.

    I know people say, "just do it, man", but that's ridiculous. You're investing in a plan of action tht will take considerable effort and knowledge, as well as some cash. Know the battlefield and the enemy before starting the war. My two cents.
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  • Profile picture of the author PrettyJenny
    If you are looking for a business idea, first assess your passion and expertise. Say your passion is in education, look around in related forums, groups and other discussions to find a repeated problem.
    You want your business to solve a real problem, not to be something "nice to have".

    Once you find a general problem to solve, come up with a solution for it that you can deliver. Now is the time to read about business, marketing and all the skills you would need for your business.

    Hope this helps! Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Yours is an interesting question. You mean of all the things you've been reading none of them told you where to start? I'm just trying to find out what you really need...

      1. Some More information still?
      2. More focus on your part?
      or
      More Action on your part in regards to what you've already read?

      What do you think?
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  • Profile picture of the author camohit
    Did anything clicked while you were reading, that this could be suitable to you? What is your target, the ultimate goal? If you don't have one in your mind, all the things which you will read will only waste your time and frustrate you. If you're struggling to make a target may be following could help you.
    I suggest lock yourself in your room for few hours take a pen and paper and write what kind of life you want to live. Write it in detail as much detail as you can. Write your hourly activities for some days. Be creative in your imagination and profound too. When you have spent around 2-3 hours in doing so (and 2-3hr will fly without you even getting the hint if you'v indulged yourself) you would get an idea what you want to achieve to live that kind of life. If you do not get the first time, do this activity several times. Idea will come, you can not stop it, its natural. And at that moment trust your intuition and make that idea your goal.

    So now, when you know your goal then start reading everything, you will automatically find thing that will be suitable to you, that will give you the life you imagined, your dream life.

    Hope that helps. Wish you luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author DRP
    You don't need a "big idea". Everyone tries going for a grand slam in the professional league when they can barely hit base hits at the middle school level.

    You need to pick a decent idea that you can roll with, get to work, and hit those solid base hits. Tweak and improve as you go. Paralysis of analysis is wasteful...as is trying to swing for a grand slam with a "big idea".
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  • Profile picture of the author AuthorityBuilder
    First, analyze a business model you want to start with and second the niche of your business. The rest will fall into place.
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  • Profile picture of the author zdebx
    I think the best thing to do for beginners is blogging. There's always something that you enjoy talking about, discussing it with your friends, etc.

    So if you take that passion and put it on your blog, then you'll be surprised how many other people are out there with the same interests as yours, who will come back to your blog on regular basis for more content. That's of course assuming that your articles are genuinely good and useful.

    The only thing you need to check before going ahead with this, is to make sure that there's a demand on the topic you want to blog about. Making money from a blog is something that will only work few months down the line, but you want to be sure that there's money to be made from promoting products as an affiliate or advertising other companies, etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Amywah,

      Very very few of the successful Internet businesses started this year will be "big idea" driven. Most "brand new" ideas come from technology based industries and not typically from average people like most of us on this forum.

      Instead, look for a way to satisfy a simple need, want, or desire. Find a solution to a problem that many people have. Figure out a way to make a product or service (already in the market) better or less costly or easier to use. Improve upon someone else's business model.

      You can waste a lot of time and effort trying to come up with a business idea that no one has thought of in the past.

      Rather than "big ideas" start thinking about little ideas that will improve people's lives in some way.

      As others have stated, a good place to start identifying "little ideas" is in those markets where you have education, training, passion, past work experience, hobbies, or a special interest. Inventory your life and see if there are things you know how to do that other people would like to learn.

      The very best to you.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Tony Action
    I think your best big ideal should be centered around providing a solution to a person's problems. Evergreen niches such as make money and health always fair well because these niches relate to everyone. For the Make Money niche, Who doesn't want to make more money?
    For the Health niche, there are always going to be health problems that is why most of the top income jobs come from the health industry (doctors, surgeons, etc).
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  • Profile picture of the author amywah
    I want you all to know I appreciate your advice and have been thinking it over.
    I have had a few ideas but still not sure which direction to go in. It just feels overwhelming.

    One idea I had was to start a drop shipping online store. I was thinking about in the education/parenting niche. I am open to other types of products if that is unlikely to sell well.
    I have also thought about starting a movement class for child care centers in the local area.

    I think my problem though is I may be too open to any ideas! I don't want to sink myself into something in the early childhood field if it is not going to bring in a decent income.
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  • Profile picture of the author amywah
    I also have a work at home job and have had quite a few previous work at home jobs so I thought about maybe a blog or ebook or something about finding legit work at home opportunities. I am just worried that there are too many of that type of thing already out there and also that many people tend to think of work at home jobs as being scams. I know many are, but many are truly legit.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by amywah View Post

    The more I read the more I am unsure of a starting point. I have never really had my own business. (unless you count the magazine that I started when I was 7!!) I have an associates degree in early childhood education. I currently work from home for a large roadside service organization. I make OK for the type of job it is, but I know I want more. I just don't know where to start. I can't seem to find my "big idea".

    I am not asking anyone to do it for me, but I would like a few tips on a starting point on what to read first, here or elsewhere.
    Thank you in advance.

    Its definitely NOT a necessity but it is still something you should check on...and that is what are you passions and expertise in Life? If those align with a niche that money can be made then you may consider that.

    That's where I would start off first.

    Early childhood development would definitely be something you may want to look into


    - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author nicholasb
    I would find something that you can just start promoting thats mostly "done for you" I like digital franchise systems.. They do just about everything for you all you have to do is send traffic.

    This way you can learn o drive traffic to a website or offer so when you do have your "big idea" you'll know how to actually get in in front of people/
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