Why Defining Yourself Matters
Probably not unlike many people, I have also wanted to start my own business, and be my own boss, for quite a while now.
If you are like me, and you don’t have your arms comfortably wrapped around that fully-backed blockbuster idea yet, you can probably relate to the hardest part of starting a business which for me has been defining what it is I want to “be” (i.e., what problem I can solve for people with my service or product).
Along the way, here’s what I’ve learned out about the importance of defining myself/yourself:
- Not being able to define yourself often means one of two things: (a) either your idea isn’t concrete and specific or fully formulated enough yet, or (b) that you fear committing to any idea. If you can’t define it, you can’t identify with it. With no focus, there is no wonder you never get anywhere with it.
- If you don’t have a specific enough focus yet, start with a topic and choose an angle. See what you like and don’t, what catches people’s attention and what doesn’t; and, most importantly, what brings in revenue and what doesn’t. Rather than wait until you have the perfect pitch, pick something and try out the pitch you have as often as you can.
- Defining something makes it tangible, explainable, understandable. Define it as much for yourself as for others. Definitions help you describe yourself and help others remember you.
- Once you define something you have a focus, you know what matters towards achieving that goal and what doesn’t. You can best refine an idea once you can express it. Hear how it sounds when you speak it out loud.
- Defining something doesn’t have to feel restricting or limiting. You can refine things later, just don’t go too broad and don’t keep changing your mind. Success comes with sticking with something that you can remain passionate about.
Hope that helps you or someone you know. Let me know if you have any tips to add to this list.
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For a list of all posts in this series go to: Finding Purpose (actual links will be posted as each post becomes live.)
