Some people know from very early on in life that they want to own and/or run businesses. Some people are nurtured by their surroundings. And yet some still have been forced by the circumstances in Zimbabwe to look at a business as the only way to achieve some form of financial security or independence. Whichever the case many people have been stuck at that point before they have a great business idea and they just don’t know what to do while they wait for the eureka moment. Here are some great things you can do while you wait for your great idea to come.
Read
You will hear this everywhere so you really shouldn’t be surprised to read it here. Reading does many wonderful things including exposing the mind to new ideas or going into greater depth on known subjects. I’m sure we’ve all heard that idea that if you can read for 2 hours a day it translates to 20 pages a day which means you can read roughly 1 book a week which gives you a 50 book year. The math isn’t exact but it’s possible and it’s worth it in my experience. Allow books to sharpen your abilities and open up your mind to new possibilities.
Learn to sell
Aside from counting your money selling is the most important skill you will ever learn. In fact, if you’re thinking from a business perspective selling is the most important skill ever. It really doesn’t matter what you sell, sales are based on psychology and the game is always the same whether you’re selling toilet paper or caviar. Life insurance may be a bit more difficult. What you will find is that you will learn countless valuable lessons on the frontline of the battlefield metaphorically speaking.
Acquire soft skills
Selling is the most important skill. Though ubiquitous it is very much a hard or technical skill. Business is built around soft skills. Soft skills are skills that determine how effective you are at doing your work. These include leadership (private and public), teamwork, communication, problem-solving, interpersonal skills and critical thinking. You learn and nurture these in many environments but they are best learned intentionally and exercised consistently.
Network
Business people, successful ones at least, are known to have many connections. In Zimbabwe, those connections are cited as the reason for their success and it is not entirely untrue. Here’s the thing, nobody was born with connections. While some people have found it easier to gain connections because of proximity those relationships still needed to be maintained. The challenge for us is to create strong networks we can call on if and when we need them. So while you wait for your idea to come you can learn to connect with others who can eventually help push your idea to success.
Work
I cringe every time I see a meme or quote about how working for someone else is somehow the antithesis of running your own business. Nothing could be further from the truth. I understand as well as most that finding decent employment is difficult in Zimbabwe. I too have read The 48 law of Power and count “Law 36: Disdain things you cannot have” as one of the best lessons. However the reality is working for someone else is where the best business ideas are borne, business lessons are learnt and skills are developed. While it is not always in your control if you can find work opportunities take them and use them to learn.
Do these things with intensity and consistency while you wait for your idea to strike and when it does you may well be unstoppable. Challenge yourself to a 50 book year. Find a small product to resell to learn sales. Practice soft skills in your present environment. Aim to know 20 people in a specific area you think your business may be in or need. Learn everything you can about the business you are currently employed in if you are so fortunate. Remember patience is not measured by how long you wait but rather what you do while you wait.
