5 Steps to Discovering Your Dream Career or Business

1. Create a Dream Inventory

Make a list of the things you really enjoy doing. Do it over several days so you have time to give it some thought. First, list everything that comes to mind. This will get the ideas flowing. When something really interests you, add it to your list. Try to write down at least 10 items, the more the better. Once you have the list, review it.

Note the items that stir you emotionally, especially if they’re potentially money-making ideas (i.e. writing, opening a store or business, photography, etc). Next, rate them by your level of interest and do-ability. For instance, if it’s your heart’s desire and you have money and/or the resources to fund your project, make it a 10. You can have multiple 10s. If it interests you, but you may need training, maybe it should be a 6, 7 or 8. Eliminate any idea that rates less than a 6.

2. Research Your Choices

Talk to people who are already doing what you want to do. Get their input on market conditions, trends, specialties and any other information they may have to offer. Google it to see what the demand is for your idea, and to see what the latest techniques or ‘twists’ may be, (i.e. online greeting cards vs hardcopy cards).

Do market analyses to help you determine if your chosen field is in an upward or downward cycle. This may not be a show stopper, but it may mean you’ll need a larger financial base to support you. Or perhaps postpone starting it until the cycle changes.

Use Google AdWords Keyword Tool to see if people are really looking for your topic online. This could be a clue to your idea's marketability.

3. Create a Treasure Map or Book

Look at magazines or print pictures from websites of things related to what you want to do and make a scrapbook. If it’s music, cut out pictures of the instruments you want to play or singers in performance. Go to karaoke lounges and have someone take pictures of you singing.

Get a 3-ring binder and some plastic slip covers or poster board. Arrange the pictures in a way that’s meaningful to you, (by date, significance, or category). Put them in the slip covers or glue them to the poster board. Look at them frequently and let yourself dream. See yourself ‘doing’ what you’re dreaming about. It’ll stimulate your senses and your creative talents will come alive.

4. Narrow Your Choices to 1 or 2 Dreams

This could happen within weeks or months, or only days. Once you start ‘dreaming’ about your new career, you’ll find yourself drawn to 1or 2 subjects more often than all of the others. They’re the ones that you’re being spiritually guided to follow. Follow your intuition; it’s the voice of your heart. These ideas will be your best options for making a living, while doing what you love.

5. Make a Plan

Once you’ve narrowed your choices to 1or 2 options, you can start planning. You can have more than one choice at this point. The activities that follow will facilitate a natural selection based on your continued research and discovery.

I started out planning to open a restaurant, but once I found out how much time, training, money and risk were involved, I chose to do something else. This could happen for you too.

But don’t worry…if one opportunity doesn’t work out, another will. And if both look good and are related in some way, you can always flip a coin…or do both. I did!