Why not turn your hobby into a business, how to cope with the imposter's syndrome and learn to distinguish constructive criticism from cynicism.
In the corporate environment is now a fairly popular idea of a second career or exit from the corporation to open their own business. There was even a whole direction of career consulting, helping to find yourself and smoothly pass this turn. It's never too late to open a business - on the contrary, in the USA, according to a recent study by Ate and high-level entrepreneurship MIT, the average age of the startup is 42 years, and the fastest growing companies are created by entrepreneurs at 45 years of age.
Why prepare, if you decided to radically change the scope of activities and start your business?
Do not rush everything
Do not rush to teach diving or open an early development center just because you are tired of sitting in the office. Think about which of the applications skills, knowledge, connections can be capitalized. HR can become a career coach, a PR specialist - an expert on a personal brand, a financier - a trainer in financial literacy and investment. And suddenly something from what you do in the office can be done elsewhere and realize your ambitions?
Do not think that it is the hobby that should become the second career
Often a hobby is not a way of making money, but a way to spend with pleasure. Do you feel the difference? You need an idea that brings money. And often it turns out that the less it is original, the more profitable.
Check the idea
Tell others about it. Find potential customers (optimally, so that they are people who know you as a person with a certain level of expertise in what you are going to offer in the market) and talk to them. Find out if there is interest in what you plan to offer, if yes - by what criteria do they choose such kind of goods or services. And the most interesting is that they will criticize your idea. It is a treasure trove of valuable information.
Prepare to deal with the imposter's syndrome
Even if you have achieved success and recognition in a corporate career, everything is reset when you enter the market in a new capacity. Here that helps in such a situation:
• From the first day, collect a collection of feedback and thanks from customers (letters, comments - it will come in handy all).
• Include logic: "I was also worried when I started a new project, accepted a proposal for a leadership position, changed the company. But I managed, and I managed well. I'll manage this time too. "
• If there is still no confidence in yourself as an expert, share from the perspective of the benefits you can get by applying your advice. For each level of expertise, there is an audience.
Form a supportive environment
Former colleagues who consider you a strong professional and are confident that you will succeed. The best friend who will say: "You really are a very motivated person. You always achieve what you want. " Family members who can help in different cases - from getting acquainted with useful people to making proposals to take on some household chores.
Learn to distinguish constructive criticism from cynicism
"Yes, how will you do it, there need to be a connection" and the like. "Do not stick out", "do not stick out". Download the audiobook for motivation and listen in traffic. Who, if not you?
Develop a financial plan
What financial obligations do you have? How will you be able to execute them at a time when the new business will not bring money (and most likely, will require investment)?
Serious changes need to be prepared in advance. Perhaps, it will be necessary to invest in new knowledge, equipment, materials, rent. You will definitely need investment in promotion. This should not come as a surprise to you.
Do not forget about the business plan
How much does it cost to start a business, what other expenses will be required in the next stages? When will the business start to bring the first money? How will it grow? Honestly answer yourself these questions. They will have to answer more than once, especially if you want to attract investors' money.
Work in a demo mode
If you come up with what you want to do, do not rush to leave and open a company. Take a vacation or do it in your spare time. Put on the hat of the entrepreneur and listen carefully to yourself - does not press? Is it interesting to do a new thing, not in the hobby format, but regularly, according to plan and with clear deadlines?
When the decision is made, announce it to the world
Make an announcement in the public space, tell your family. Now there is nowhere to retreat, we are working. And by the way, so will your first customers.
The most important thing is to understand that you will have to go through periods of burning with an idea and doubts. This is what every entrepreneur is dealing with. And if in a corporate environment you accomplish your tasks and keep deadlines, if only because you have a manager, now you need to remember: "Now I am my new boss."