You want a super-successful business…
But you have many different passions… and you’re unclear on which direction to go.
If this sounds familiar to you, you’re SO not alone. It’s an extremely common characteristic among entrepreneurs, and it often causes a lot of strife.
For example: you’re a savvy business coach who has a passion for teaching stand-up paddle boarding and a knack for feng shui.
As you’re starting to plan out your new business, your confusion suddenly gives way to wild excitement.
“Why limit myself?? I’ll incorporate them ALL!” you say.
You decide that your business model will look something like this:
You’ll offer your business coaching prospects the “value add” of paddle boarding lessons–to help decrease stress as they build their businesses, of course. And, you’ll also market yourself as a feng shui consultant who will happily travel to clients’ homes and offices for a generous fee.
Wow, what a renaissance gal you are, right?
Not so fast.
Here’s the deal: if you really want to be seen as an industry leader, at some point you’ll need to focus your energy (and time) towards a single, primary goal.
Does that mean your other passions get thrown out the window?
Nope! Your other passions can “infuse” what it is your core business is about. Once your primary business or brand is making a profit and you have some things systematized, you may be able to add in another income stream from an additional passion.
But, choose to move forward with multiple streams of income from different passions and industries all at once?
Yikes! You might just find at some point it may become pretty hairy to manage it if they all begin to “take off.”
You only have 24 hours in a day, and when you’re first getting off the ground, the more focus you can devote to one thing, the quicker you’ll see results. (You’ll also likely see a lot less folks confused.)
Then, you can build off of that one success and branch out to others.
The lesson here is this: you don’t have to deny the multiple passions that make you who you are. You simply need to apply some patience and singular focus to your business at first, then “sneak” those passions in the back door–if it truly makes sense to.
Establish yourself, and then maybe we’ll talk about that paddle boarding, feng shui business coaching package you’re itching to promote, ok? 😉
Do you consider yourself to be “multi-passionate?” Let me know in the comments.
Love this article. So very true. I agree wholeheartedly with the need for focus, especially in the beginning. At the same time, in my own journey, I’ve found harmony in the “two sides” to what I do. Because they aren’t totally unrelated passions, and there are actually two sides to my business, like two sides of the same coin, each side serving different types of people. It has been interesting seeing how it all come together over the past few years. 🙂
I have been struggling for several years between being a ‘generalist’ and finding a ‘niche’ in my private practice. I am a family therapist and work from a structural family systems perspective (I know that means nothing to anyone other than therapists:>), so clearly, I like working with families and couples. But, I realize that is too broad and I understand the significance of finding ‘clarity’ in order to attract my ideal client. I believe it all comes down to self understanding; knowing what makes you tick. While I am able to articulate this well on my website, I recently realized that I need to have a ‘formula’ for the ‘how’ in finding out what makes someone tick. I’m thinking THAT could be my niche. Whether it is deciding on a career, marriage, family dynamics, etc., it always comes back to being in alignment with your authentic self. I would love some feedback from others about this!
Best,
Kathy
I’m just starting out as a coach and I’ve been having so much difficulty choosing my niche as I have so many ideas and interests and can’t narrow down where I would like to focus because of this. I’m happy I read this because it definitely reminds me that I need to just focus on one area for now and that I can always add in my other interests down the road. Thank you for this! 🙂
At first I was just going to be “general” life coach with showing people how they can also live a more positive and happier life – then I thought well maybe if I get a niche, I can just focus on those who want to live a more happier and positive life and came up with an online course (21 days to a happier you), which I haven’t even promoted yet (I have completed the “site” for that program) because I’m not sure how to price it, etc – and then another niche hit me for dealing with women who were sexually abused as and child and still holding on to the emotional baggage, etc. (Healing the hurt to reveal true happiness (or Joy ) – so I like to do both somehow because I personally live a very happy/positive life and I’ve experienced the abuse as a child – so I understand and have survived :o) – so same with getting this program together and pricing as well and just trying to work on my “branding”. I’m sure there is a way to do both and not feel overwhelmed – or maybe somehow combine and just focus on one big program….thanks