Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have been an advertising writer for the past ten years and, although I
love what I do, I need to do something more meaningful with my life. The
trouble is, I`m not sure what my options are! I remember back in high
school we had to take a career aptitude test that asked all sorts of
questions then spit out the occupation(s) best suited to our interests and
aptitudes. Is there any sort of similar test for deciding the best business
for you to start?

I remember taking a career aptitude test back in high school.  It was a whole list of multiple-choice questions.  It would be neat to be able to get the results and see how they stacked up with reality!

I came across these many aptitude test and these three seemed decent (though I can vouch for their accuracy!):

http://www.aboutcareereducation.com/pages/career-testing.php
http://www.mindmedia.com/links/career_planning_and_personal_ transformation.html
http://web.tickle.com/tests/jobinterests/?sid=2005&supp= search_career&test=jobinterestsogt

For me doing something that I liked was always a priority with my work.  The fact that I got paid to something that I liked was a great bonus.  What else have you done that you enjoyed?  It doesn’t have to be a job.  Just something that you like to do.  With a little creative thinking (you’ve got that being in advertising) I’m sure that you can thing of a new direction.

I got into my business in a round about way.  I didn’t wake up on day and decide to make jeans!  Really what got me down this path was that I was looking for French Cuff shirts.  The path wasn’t straight and took while (ten years), but so far I like it!


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Daniel the Denim Doctor

Here`s an exercise you can try. Look back over your life and pull up an example of when you had a major trauma. It might be a bad breakup with a lover, the collapse of a dream-job, losing someone or something special. The point is, go back and review that trauma period.

What did you do to get through the days? What ended up being the thing that slowly pulled you out of that depressing black sense of doom?

Whatever is that thing, that`s one of your deepest passions. List that here, and I`ll be you end up with plenty of ideas about how to turn it into a business. :-)

WriterDude,

Craig is on track. Before going in business, you need a Definiteness of Purpose, A Chief Aim. You won`t find your "options" until you sit down and find your purpose. Tests are fine and all, but I doubt there are many people out here who took one of these tests and now does what the test said they should be doing.

What did you want to be when you grew up, back when you were a kid? Ask that question to folks in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s and see the answers you get. It is rare you run across anyone who ended up doing what they dreamed about doing as a kid. And this is OK. We find our places. The people who really find their places work at it and work at it hard.

If you have not done so, read Napoleon Hill`s "The Law of Success in Sixteen Lessons." If you don`t want to go deep, read "Think and Grow Rich" by Hill - this is based on the larger Law of Success book.

Owning your own business is not only about What You Do but How You Do It.  

Keep us posted on your progress and Welcome to the SuN.

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

I think the best way is to look deep into what interest you and what's viable and feasable and then you have yourself a business.

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IT Companies in South Africa