I firmly believe that anyone who wants to succeed by working solo can do so -- if they discover the business that matches their unique interests and abilities,and if they find an appropriate market. How does that happen? Most simply, by asking yourself some questions -- and answering them honestly.

Here's a fun exercise that's helped hundreds of people launch their solo businesses. Find a quiet spot and jot down the ideas that come in response to these questions:
* What awards or achievements have you received in your life that gave you special pleasure? Try to remember what it was that brought you that recognition and how you felt receiving it.
* What are the things you do that others compliment you on?
* Think back to some of your most recent pleasurable experiences. What common key ingredients were in them?
* If money didn't matter, how would you create your life? Or, as one of my seminar participants asked, "If every job paid a dollar, what would you do?"

As you do this exercise, take time to fully answer each question. It's also important to write your answers down on paper. We all think we remember ideas, but they escape so easily. When you write something down, it takes on a different attitude -- it becomes more concrete, more possible. The process of writing often brings a clarity to your thoughts, because you need to express in words what this fuzzy idea is all about.