Section 1.1: Who Do You Want to Help?

Every business caters to a specific audience. Have you ever considered the types of individuals you wish to support? In the early stages of my journey, I aimed to connect with those who appreciated:

• Social impact
• Community
• Creativity

Despite numerous attractive opportunities in more profitable areas like NFTs or Dropshipping, the thought of serving those markets didn't resonate with me. Your business should bring you joy, not despair. Generally, a one-person business struggles more due to a lack of genuine interest in serving customers than due to insufficient clientele.

Section 1.2: What Challenge Inspires You?

Starting a business is akin to entering a long-term relationship. Congratulations! People often stumble because they mistakenly believe they are committing to a solution. In reality, you are committing to a problem. Your proposed solution is merely a hypothesis aimed at addressing that problem, and you will likely need to pivot, fail, and iterate many times.

I wake up each day eager to tackle the challenges within my industry. I spend my free time reading research and engaging with others in the field. If you lack this excitement, consider pursuing a different challenge.

Subsection 1.2.1: The Importance of Enthusiasm

Section 2.1: What Distinct Abilities Do You Possess?

As Peter Thiel famously stated, "competition is for losers." In the online space, it's essential to differentiate yourself rather than compete. While I write in a highly saturated field—self-improvement—I have carved out a niche based on my unique skills and experiences. These do not necessarily have to be technical skills; they can stem from personal experiences such as:

• Growing up as a migrant in Australia.
• Achieving recognition as a three-time award-winning social entrepreneur.
• Transitioning from a 9-to-5 role to explore being a digital nomad.
• Generating a part-time income as a content creator.

By blending these elements, you can create a unique value proposition for your audience. Remember, "You can escape competition through authenticity." — Naval Ravikant.

Section 2.2: Simplifying Your Approach

Many people complicate the process of starting a business. You don't require an office, a flawless product, or a fully developed value proposition. In the past year, I've made various adjustments based on customer feedback and data, and I anticipate continuing to adapt.

Here's how I initiated my journey:

1. I reached out to a few contacts to discover if they had any social impact projects in need of assistance.
2. I identified their current challenges and the gap between where they were and where they wanted to be.
3. I proposed how I could assist them, showcasing my skills and experience to establish credibility.
4. I secured contracts, and just like that, my business was born.

Anything beyond this is simply overthinking. Just take the plunge; you can always learn and adapt as you go.

The first video, "Feeling like you aren't going anywhere in life/business? Ask yourself these 3 questions," offers valuable insights that align perfectly with these principles.

Section 2.3: What Do People Ask You About?

Everyone possesses innate talents. Don't believe it? Look through your direct messages, comments, and past conversations; they hold clues about your strengths. If you're still uncertain, consult friends and family to identify what energizes you.

When I conducted this exercise, I discovered:

• Earning money as a content creator.
• Values focused on social impact and entrepreneurship.
• Insights and knowledge from books and experiences.

I'm still working on how to weave these elements into a cohesive offering, but that's part of the journey!

The second video, "Stuck in your business? Ask these 3 questions," dives deeper into overcoming challenges and igniting your entrepreneurial spirit.

Section 2.4: Facing Your Fears

Returning to the marriage analogy, individuals often envision a bright future without considering the possibility of a tough breakup. I had numerous concerns about launching my business, such as:

• What if I fail?
• What if I incur financial losses?

While these fears are valid, they can be exaggerated. To combat this anxiety, I applied Tim Ferriss's Fear-Based Goal Setting approach:

1. Define: Identify and articulate your fears. Rate their severity on a scale from 1 to 10.
2. Prevent: Recognize that negative outcomes don't occur overnight; develop strategies to mitigate potential risks.
3. Repair: Formulate an action plan should your worst fears materialize.

An example from Mindful Ambition illustrates this process:

Fears that are articulated are 80% resolved.

Lastly, reflect on the potential benefits of a failed attempt or partial success. For me, the outcomes included:

• Building a transformative business that allows me to escape the 9-to-5 grind.
• Gaining invaluable stories and experiences for future endeavors.
• Acquiring new knowledge, networks, and insights into my capabilities.

Once I laid everything out, I realized that inaction posed the greatest risk. Remaining in a 9-to-5 job was more detrimental than beneficial, leaving me feeling stagnant and defeated. I made the decision to leave a few months later and haven't looked back.

Here are two ways I can assist you further:

• Download your FREE copy of my e-book, "50 Short But Practical Life Lessons I've Learned From Reading 100+ Self-improvement Books." 🔥
• Subscribe to my "Living a Limitless Life" newsletter for weekly tips on generating an online side income alongside your 9-to-5 career. 🚀