"Get Real"

...Was that harsh? It wasn't meant to be. A lot of times entrepreneurs are creative, open-minded idea engineers who can figure out everything from opening the next best zoo to selling the latest natural haircare product. While every idea you come up with may be awesome, there will be ideas you can flesh out just by "getting real." By that I mean, get real facts, assess whether you have "real passion" and figure out if  the idea has "real potential." These 3 assessments will help you narrow your melting pot of ideas into one clear entree that can draw a crowd.

"Get REAL facts:" Look up statistics, profits, research and any other information that may help give you a realistic perspective of your idea. For example, if you want to open a hair salon that also sells hair extensions and accessories but the area you plan to open up in has 3 such places in the vicinity, you may not get the results you want. If you wanted to open up a local "smoke haven" for smokers who are not allowed anywhere else but statistics show that many have risked litigation because patrons grew ill, you may want to avoid that lawsuit. Sometimes we can get mesmerized by our ideas and do not realize that there may be information out there that could keep us from suffering losses. Check the facts and weed out the lemons.

"Do you have REAL passion?" If you hate cats but your latest entrepreneurship idea involves cat sitting for the holidays, you may not have the drive to follow that through. You may have heard that entrepreneurship requires a little sacrifice and dedication and you may not be able to give all of that up for your feline friends. "Real" passion is what propels music artists who were rejected 99 times to try again for the yes on 100. "Real passion" is probably what propels the Soledad O'Brien's of the world to keep seeking the story even when more doors are slammed than answered. If you wouldn't go hard for YOUR idea who else would go harder? Narrow down your choices to those you really love.

"Does it have REAL potential?" We  have all watched those infomercials with things that seem cool but you probably wouldn't spend a dime of your hard earned money on. Some will actually go far but many may not even allow their inventor to break-even. Why try to get a boulder off the ground when you can have an easier time getting a feather off the ground with a better idea. Narrow your choices down by choosing those that really may usher you to the life you are seeking rather than babysit an idea that may not manifest into anything.

Oh how the choices are many but the good choices are few.