Excerpts from the weekend entrepreneur

Know You Have What It Takes

One can get anything if he is willing to help enough others get what they want. – Zig Ziglar, salesman
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In these times, and with the high number of people unemployed or underemployed, many are seeking creative ways to make extra money.  Making extra money can help you make ends meet, save money for college, travel, or to pay debts. Extra money can be used to remodel a home, take care of a loved one, or carry you through a period of unemployment or special circumstance. There are many reasons to seek to earn extra money, and there are equally as many ways to go about doing this.

Where do I begin?

Using the resources at hand
Some of us look around and say “I have nothing that could make money.” My rule is that if someone else needs it, then it can make you money. Every physical thing, you have in your possession because at one time or another you needed that item. What do you have in your basement- tons of collectibles, items ripe and ready for a yard sale, or auctioning online? Do you have a computer? Then the possibilities are so much more.

Using the resources within
All of us are born with everything we will need for life and living. We are born with natural abilities, curiosity and the capacity to learn new things. Therefore, we have an untapped pool within us that can help us not only make a living but live an extraordinary life when properly applied. Within you, there is a God-given ability that will help you make a living and care for your family. This unlimited potential may be already at work in your current 9 to 5, but there may also remain greater potential, untapped abilities, creativity and energy to be used to earn more. 

Begin With What You Know
Often we begin to ask questions, and then focus on the ones we cannot answer alone, thereby becoming overwhelmed by our lack of knowledge. Rather we should focus on what we know and are certain about. Therefore, to avoid this mental trap, you can begin by making a list of what you already know, the knowledge, skills, and insights you are bringing to this business, and what you are confident you can accomplish with the resources you have. 

Begin With What You Have
Start building the business today in simple steps with what you have on hand. One man’s ordinary item if placed in the right hands and given a new purpose, can make an extraordinary difference in someone else’s life. 

Begin By Filling a Need
If you are unsure about the type of business you want to open, you can begin by surveying the people you know and finding out what are some of their needs that can be met if there was a product or service created with them in mind. Needs are often found at the end of the statement, “If I just had someone or something that could______.” This person is expressing a need that would be valuable to them.
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Begin With What You Love- If you love to tutor young children in science, play in a band, give advice, collect rare items, your passion can become profitable. In your passion lies the potential to build a great business product or service. Begin by seeing what services or products already exist from those who share your passion.