Think about it, if you know where you're going it means you've already been there. It means that all your plans, all your ideas are taking you in a circle - back to "been there and done that."

I suppose that's ok if you like what's showing up, but I'm an adventurer, I like to allow room for the unexpected to show up. I like to receive those cosmic surprises from the universe that suddenly appear.

Stay Open to the Unexpected

Think about the last time an unexpected opportunity presented itself. Were you so bogged down in what you were doing that you couldn't even consider it? Were you so attached to the way you were doing things that you brushed it off because it was different? Or did you stop in gratitude and look that gift over for exactly what it was -an invitation - an opportunity, a challenge, a possibility.

If it's "old stuff" be sure it's good "old stuff"

Your new idea may be based on something you have done in the past that you could do differently. That's great, if the original idea had merit, if it produced the results you wanted. There is a fine line in being able to recognize a really bad idea versus one that is a core passion you really want to bring about and need to stick with.

What's in it for them?

If your target market is like you (which it often is) you may evolve some ideas for service by looking at what you need. But primarily we have to look for, study, and understand the current needs of our target audience. That means we have to watch for the shifts in their world that will create a new needs. Look at all the people offering solutions to a declining economy. As a coach, I could certainly encourage others to start their own business so they hold their personal welfare in their own hands - they have control over their future.

All my marketing material, many of my articles and radio shows should address the current needs of my target market - how to start a business, how to attract the people you are meant to serve, how to create low cost marketing strategies that pay off.

So I may be using skills and knowledge that I already have but I will position it to address the current need of my target market and let them clearly know what's in it for them.

Same ol', same ol'

What I offer may have a similar form - another teleclass, another workbook, combined with another set of experiential exercises for my coaching clients. In that sense it's the same path. The form is familiar; the idea of why my target audience will do it and what results it will bring to meet their current need is different.

Keep looking for new twists in the path

Your skills grow, your knowledge base expands, your interests change and refocus. All of these are signs that new doors are opening, new possibilities are appearing. Go to the edge of your comfort zone and step through it. Take that next bold step that starts you on a new journey. Even if you think you know where you are going, at least consider finding a new way to get there, a new path unexplored, some underbrush to clear, a mountain to climb. And when that unexpected fork in the road presents itself, take time to go exploring. You never know what wonderful discovery awaits you.

© 2009 Cara Lumen