February
4
(Please note that this article is an updated version of one I wrote a few years back.)
Having a handle on what makes you happy is a great first step, but knowing yourself is pretty important too. You may love doing crafts, but perhaps you know, in your heart of hearts, that what you make is for your enjoyment only and not necessarily up to professional standards. That’s perfectly okay. I am sure that there is something else that you enjoy doing and would be able to deliver a superior product or service for your work at home business. In the meantime, you can keep working on that other hobby and perhaps evolve in your training to be able to focus on that in the future.
So, how do you take stock of your personality? Let’s begin with asking the right questions.
1. Do you talk to the folks next to you in line at the grocery store?
2. Or do you walk with your head down trying get through your errands without being seen?
3. Are you known for carrying your planner everywhere you go?
4. Or do your friends make fun of you for being kin to the Absent Minded Professor?
5. How are you at following through on projects?
6. Do you keep your word or just wish you could?
7. Is five minutes early being on time or are you always the last to arrive?
8. Do you see yourself as creative?
9. Is it preferable to be told what to do with your day?
10. Do you like the outdoors?
11. Or perhaps you’ve grown used to your computer chair widening?
12. Do you actually like people? Which kinds – young, old — doesn’t matter?
13. Or has a whole week passed you by when you realize you’ve seen no one that doesn’t live with you?
14. Perhaps you prefer animals that don’t talk back?
15. Are you in style with a subscription or two or a dozen to fashion and/or decorating magazines?
16. Have you ever been complimented on your phone voice?
17. Do you think you are a good judge of character? Are you sure?
18. Details – Love them or Hate them?
19. Do you know how to say no? Can you say it and not cave in later?
20. What kind of support system do you have around you?
Let’s see what your answers may show you:
Just so you know, the above test has no right or wrong answers. It is not scientific as the questions come from my own head based on my past work experience. The opinions are also given with a smile on my face and with never any offense intended. So what follows are my judgments on your possible answers:
1. If you are thinking about sales, it helps to be at least a little bit of an extrovert. If you answered yes to this – give sales a point.
2. If you answered yes because you frequently walk around with your head down, you should know that is a sign of low self-esteem. Or that you are very clumsy and need to watch where you go. *grins* If your self-confidence needs a bit of boosting, you will want to choose a path that allows you do something where you already have knowledge of the subject. There is nothing worse than walking into a situation where you don’t feel good about yourself to begin with and then you feel dumb on top of it.
3. I’ve tried to be one of those women. If I still had the money on all the planners I’ve purchased — I could probably retire. If you answered yes though – first you have my admiration. Next, though your friends may find you a bit stuffy – it is nothing but a benefit in whatever you choose to do. In fact, it is a personality trait that will allow you to choose roads less traveled because you will usually be prepared for whatever is at the end of it.
4. If you said Yes to piles, then we have something in common. You also know that no one ever believes us when we say we know where everything is — even after we prove it over and over. Piles are a drawback though because even if you really know where everything is — piles eat your time. They also distract you from being able to focus on the subject at hand. Whatever path you choose, should not generate more than the most minimal of paperwork.
5. I’m great at starting things, I start to flop in the middles and I stink at endings. If you are someone that sees results, that is a benefit that will help you in anything you choose to do. If you are more like me, then at least you know your limitations and will want to choose something that allows for many of the smallest of projects or one big never-ending one.
6. If you keep your word, you must know that is the one of the best traits you can have. Your clients and vendors will know that they can count on you and trust you. Based on that alone will take you very far. If you make promises and find yourself not being able to keep them, then you need to take a step back and re-evaluate your life. You are either taking on things that are not suited to you or that you do not have time for. Take a break and learn who you are. It may sound old-fashioned, but your word is your bond. Until you can learn to keep your promises, I would not attempt to start any home business.
7. Being early or being late really goes with the last question. I do not like to be kept waiting. It is a sign of complete lack of respect for me and my time to be tardy. Yes, life happens — especially when you have kids. When that happens, pick up the phone and show that you care enough about me to let me know you are running late.
8. If you see yourself as creative, then please choose a business that allows you to be you. If you love to create beautiful things, then do not choose to do data entry from home. Whether or not you would make money doing it is not the point – enjoying life and your family is and if you aren’t happy then no one else around you will be.
9. Having a set schedule is very comforting to some people. Even if it is self-created the night before. If that sounds like you, then you probably want to stay away from sales which makes you have to be flexible in everything you do and say.
10. Working outdoors allows for some unique possibilities which we will talk about in other articles. Just realize that if sunshine is your thing, then do not choose something that ties you to a computer desk.
11. Yes, something does happen to change the shape of your body when you sit in front of your computer for any great length of time day in and day out. Either accept it or join a gym if working online is what you love.
12. Sometimes something is right in front of you and you can’t see it. If you love kids or helping the elderly, you need to focus your energies on creating a life that revolves around them. On the other hand, if you are anti-social then don’t force yourself as you will not be successful.
13. This one goes pretty much with the one above.
14. It has been proven that having a pet enriches your life, both mentally and physically. If fur and the like is your thing, then pursue working with them.
15. There are many health and beauty companies out there. If you are the “In” girl in your clique, then why not make a career from it?
16. Customer service is severely lacking these days. If you are lucky enough to get a human being on the phone, how often do they sound like they actually care? Some companies are now outsourcing their customer service. If your voice is your talent, then use your gift.
17. This goes back to knowing yourself. If you are constantly surprised by the actions of others, please do not place yourself in situations where you must depend on other people for an income.
18. Those little details — if you are good at them great. If not, you must work on it. Make lists, be a post-it note junkie, purchase a good reminder software — whatever you do, try a few different ways until you find a perfect match. Keeping up with the details could mean the difference of getting a client or losing a client and it could mean the difference between having an easy time filing your taxes or having the IRS visit you for an audit.
19. Another item for homework. If saying no isn’t your forte, well then they say practice makes perfect. If you want to work at home, you have to make sure your friends and relatives understand that your time is not your own. It isn’t easy and you will be tempted to try to make time for everything and everyone, but something will have to go to the bottom of your to-do list. Make sure your priorities are always in order.
20. If you have young children at home, you may need some support system to help you care for them occasionally so that you may build your business. It may be cute a time or two to take the tots along, but it will get old very fast not only on you, but also your perspective clients. Don’t be scrambling at the last minute — arrange your outside business meetings for times that fit for your support system.
What strengths and weaknesses are you already aware of?
Taking a thorough personal inventory will be one of the most invaluable tools you will bring with you to your work at home business. This will allow you to visulize the greatest amount of paths open to you. You will soon see how this can prevent a lot of heartache in persuing fields that truly aren’t your destiny.
If being objective was not in your personal inventory, may I suggest that you work on this skill. Teach yourself to pull your ego out of other situations in life and see the bigger picture. Please note, that just because you start off on one path, doesn’t mean that you are married to it forever. Mistakes are simply challenges that teach us the most.
This has been a lot to take in. I recommend you put off making any decision without researching it and then sleeping on it. Only you can make the right choice for you, but this article was designed to help you to realize who you are and your limitations.
Take a good look at yourself and keep your answers in mind as we go over different ideas and possibilities.
Melissa Olivero ©2010
