The core shift from a position with an organization to trying to start something on my own has been the daily challenge of not only completing a set of tasks, but creating and structuring opportunities and next steps on a daily basis. That means ‘laying the tracks’ on a daily basis — if I want to close consulting business, I need to search and engage for the prospective client, work with them to clearly articulate their need and where I can add value, figure out a way to keep it relevant and a priority for the potential client, figure out how to work through process steps and then execute the work. On the business planning front it is even less structured — I am currently trying to build a technology prototype. Each conversation I have on the idea helps to validate and shape the potential product, but changes the potential requirements and focus. It takes a new level of discipline from me (sometimes I show it and other times not as much), to continue to move forward, make some decisions, and focus, focus, focus on getting something out there instead of being concerned that I am closing down potential directions for a product. It is a great exercise in really defining the product and answering WHAT problem I am trying to solve and continually asking myself if what I am building is actually doing that. My goal is to get something out to a core group of users over the summer and to get LOTS and LOTS of feedback to iterate from. People are extremely busy and developing a technology tool to help them manage their time and to promote action in theory sounds useful but I want to see and listen to what would make it something they would use every single day. Laying the tracks and eating what you catch, two key skills I am learning to sharpen.
