Figuring out what you want to spend your life doing and then how to do it isn’t a simple task. I’ve been on this little lifestyle design experiment for about two weeks now, and while I am already fulfilling many of the goals I’ve set for myself, I still find that I’m struggling to pick the vehicle(s) to take me to where I want to end up. You may be asking, what do I mean by the vehicles?

CHOOSING A RACE HORSE

If you are one of the people who desires to launch your own business and saying goodbye to the cubicle, chances are you already have a business idea you want to pursue. You likely have an understanding of your passions, strengths, talents, needs, and a rough plan on how to do it. And you may be extremely focused on creating or building the best ____________ (insert your idea). This is your vehicle or method for achieving your dream. But what if you are like me and you have a DOZEN ideas you want to complete? It’s funny because there are two sides of the spectrum; those who can’t grab any idea and run with it and those who see opportunity everywhere and try to grab them all! I am the later and it can be a curse.

A few years ago my brother in law, a very smart businessman and leader, gave me a gold nugget of advice. He said “just pick your race horse and ride it for all it’s worth. Don’t stop until you get to the finish line and don’t jump off unless it dies.” Choosing just one race horse is extreme hell for me but I know from experience that if I don’t focus, I won’t win.

THE CURRENT LINEUP

Going to the horse races to win that million dollar payoff and choosing the winning thoroughbred takes research, looking over the big picture, knowing the horse and just plain luck. At some point you also have to narrow down your options. I’m listing out the horses I feel can complete the entire race, as well a short analysis of each.

• Branding Shed: Proven and has a great track record. It’s a business I excel at and is the bread winner. But I am getting older and spending my entire days behind a computer is taking its toll. I have to build a team or be limited. Services are hard to scale but there are more pros than cons.
• WP Design Coach: Something I am passionate about and which can help a lot of people. It takes a lot of time to do with not much in immediate profit, yet it is also easily scalable and the long term benefits could be awesome – including residual income. There are also so many membership site options now and the market is getting full.
• Professional Blogger: I have several niche blog ideas and a few that I write at (including Wage Slave Rebel). I totally enjoy sharing my thoughts and experience, but I am not a very strong writer compared to my design and creative skills. Making a living just from your blog is also a long-shot , plus I think the blogging landscape has really changed. It may not be as viable as it used to be.
• Business/Life Coach and Professional Speaker: Out of all my ideas, this is the one that I am drawn to the most and the “dream” work I’d like to do – plus I’ve already been doing this on a small scale. I believe this would be the one place I could feel like no other opportunities would be worth looking at. But I also have to make a living and I’m not sure exactly how to do it in this realm.
• Other Ventures: There are a few other ideas I’ve been sitting on but I don’t think they are worth mentioning now as they aren’t likely to be the champion horse, though they could be a “sleeper”. Perhaps it’s best to pass those along to someone else who may be able to make them a winner.

IT’S THE FINAL CALL

The race is about to begin. At some point you have to step up to the window and place your final bet if you want a chance at #winning. If you want to win big, you go “All In” and leave it all on the table. Of course you can go small and diversify, but is this what you – and what I – really want to do?

• Do you prefer to play it safe and know that whatever decision you make won’t hugely affect your life?
• Do you go for broke and shoot for the big win regardless of the outcome?
• What would you place your bet on?

It’s that time in my life to step up to the window. What will be the outcome? Stay tuned for Session 8.

Related posts

1. Lifestyle Design Journey: Session 8 – The Final Call
2. Lifestyle Design Journey: Session 1
3. Lifestyle Design Journey: Session 5
4. Lifestyle Design Journey: Session 2
5. Lifestyle Design Journey: Session 6