A hands-on exercise to help make a proper decision about starting a home business

One of my favorite lesson plans as a teacher was how to make a strong, properly evaluated decision. This process is never more important than when searching for or starting a home business. Wrong choice gives poor results. No choice has no results or missed opportunities. Worst choice is giving up without knowing all the facts.

I taught middle school and more opinionated, group-orientated young people were hard to find other than these fourteen year olds who had figured out what society was all about….other than, perhaps, some 40 years olds who know it all from the trenches.

The exercise involved a series of actual stories clipped from newspapers.

Students worked in small groups to share notes and complete a chart.

This chart helped to break the story into main ideas (topic sentences) and supporting details. Each detail was next considered from different points of view.

For example the word accident would be looked at from the perspective of driver, family, policeman, doctor, friends, etc.

Finally, at the end of considerable deliberation, they noted the actual result in the story and then speculated about different conclusions using various points of view.

We certainly created some serious buzz in the room…and talked about different, potentially superior, outcomes based on several other considerations rather than limited options.

The success of the lesson showed that making a decision is far more than an impromptu,

so-what proposition...it is a web of probabilities, a host of better alternatives, education and empowerment.

Making a decision about a home business is particularly challenging. It’s definitely not a “yes, or no or I’ll think about it” as part of a recruiting campaign.

It is a composite “map” of many roads, possibilities, benefits, people, emotions, obstructions, denials, problems, fears of the unknown, guidance and support, physical resources like money, time factors, and even dreams to fulfill more self-worth.

It is about “juggling many balls in the ever-changing parade of life,”  trying to keep all daily activities moving along as smoothly as possible. Now on top of all this, you need to make a decision about a profitable home business.

…what do I have to do….time limitations….learning curve…communication skills

…how much will this cost…start-up versus maintenance…family priorities...

…how much can I make…do I have to sell…rejection…short-term…long-term security

…who will help me...obligations…team support…training …work conflict

It is about finding a concerted balance that will personally work for you after you have considered four main topics about a home business.

So here’s a simple exercise you can do right now.

PART 1: Get a blank piece of paper and cut it into 20 pieces...don’t have to be exact here. Number each piece 1, 2, 3, up to 20.

The numbers will represent many of the most common details used in making a home based business decision.

PART 2: Here are common statements used for each topic (no need to copy this but you need it handy for reference)

      1. I need a personal source of income when the national income is in turmoil

      2. I never have enough money left over to buy the things I want

      3. I want to learn more to expand my time and resources in the Information Age

      4. I am concerned about retirement options (reduce debt

      5. I  want to strengthen all core values: financial, physical/mental, relationships,

          spiritual. I don’t want to measure my life by working for someone else.

      6. Freedom from fear of staying broke all my life

     7. No boss makes my schedule…I plan whatever I want to do

     8. Never have to listen to the rush hour traffic report

     9. Time freedom to spend with family and friends

    10. Receive substantial income tax benefits

     11. Takes too much time…information tools tell the story for you

     12. Don’t know enough about technology…can you send an email…view a website

     13. Don’t have enough money…find low-cost programs for under $50 to start

     14. Tried programs that never worked out…fix the problems in a proven system

     15. No idea how to begin, sell, what people want…follow a simple marketing system

     16. I use an inbuilt training system to explain my business

     17. I am the messenger, the message does not change

     18.  I can LEVERAGE my time and knowledge with information tools

     19. I can develop a positive mindset and adapt to change with 10 simple operatives

     20. I am proud to share products that people desperately need.

PART  3. Interactive Decision-Making Exercise

Turn your pieces of paper upside down so numbers are hidden. Scramble them because it doesn’t matter what the topics or details are. Now at random pick 4 pieces and look at the numbers. Read the corresponding statements from the list:

Now you can evaluate these ideas to rationalize how a home business could work for you looking at it from several points of view.

Example:

Rationale: Time freedom is important (9) and I can develop a positive mindset with simple operatives (19)sounds good so far. Now, I have tried programs before that never worked out but perhaps there was a missing piece unaccounted for (14) like a positive mindset. When I take into consideration that the Information Age is expanding resources and opportunities maybe I should take a closer look.

Now choose 4 other pieces of paper…any topic any order

Rationale: I don’t have to worry about a boss making my schedule (7)…that’s a real plus.

I could certainly take more time to strengthen core values in my life..it’s not just about work. (5) A home business action is to be a messenger…I don’t have to create, invent, write anything…just duplicate actions…I CAN DO THAT (17) This will be perfect because I can leverage or expands my limited time and resources with information tools.(18)

You can either mix the used numbers back into the scramble for re-evaluation within a different combination. Or keep playing until all numbers are used.

Each time, however, you will make different evaluations and think about four important areas and extensions about starting a home business.

You’re not just concentrating on just one area but looking at the whole decision making process…reasons, benefits, excuses and strategies that work.

Every single person who is struggling to make ends meet within a narrow focus of opportunity MUST do this exercise.  If you are looking at alternative long-term solutions in an expanding Information Economy, then you MUST do this exercise…you deserve to  give equal evaluation to making a proper decision for the best home business you can do.

Your family deserves it.  

It becomes even more fun if you can share this exercise and dialogue with other friends or family. You may also request the 48 card version game: