Begin with the end in mind

In this moment of in-between, I feel there is an opportunity. Some kind of calling. Its like I need to move into uncertainty and murkiness all over again. 

I have created a podcast. I have a breath mint business launching in 3 months. I have pushed myself to get them going, and now they have momentum. I will keep working on them, but they don't need as much from me.

I am wrestling with ideas about speaking, writing a book, consulting to small businesses, coaching, and even going back to full-time work.

I am reminded of Stephen Covey's 2nd of 7 habits: Begin with the end in mind.

What is the end I envisage? When I imagine myself in 10 years time, as a 48 year-old, what do I see?

I see a healthy man, working out of city building. He has a few businesses of his own, and he is actively involved in helping and investing to develop three businesses owned by people. He talks occasionally, writes regularly, and never seems rushed.

With this end in mind, the following make sense:

- a slow build with the podcast where I write a detailed blog post

- focusing on the breath mint business to find a way to earn a livelihood from it

- finding a way to consult to small businesses

- learning about public speaking and coaching

- continue to challenge myself in personal development

Something is still not ringing true as I type this. Something to ponder today.

Making all the mistakes

One of my current endeavours is to launch a podcast called Subtle Disruptors. I am in the process of getting my first set of interviews together before I launch. I am in the process of making all the mistakes there are to make before I launch.

This is the part of the process you often don't hear about in successful and unsuccessful ventures. That part where people spend two days listening to samples of music for their 30 second intro and outro music. The part where the batteries run out half way through an interview and you don't have any spares. The part where for some strange reason your memory card is full half way through the best interview you have done to date.

I'm sure there will be more mistakes to uncover in the days and interviews to come. I want to make a note of them here, and how knocked down and shamed I feel when they occur. How I wonder if I will ever get to the point of launching, and if I have blown my chance at doing something well.

Today I get back on my feet and I will have a go at another interview. There is no certainty that all will go smoothly. There is no certainty it will be an awesome conversation. But I keep moving forward into that murky dark cave of exploration and creation.