Your Personal GPS Part III The World Right Around You

By far, the most help and encouragement I have received in all of my business efforts over the years came from people and resources that were right in my own personal environment.

Do you remember the phrase "six degrees of separation"? According to Wikipedia,

six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is an average of six "steps" away from each person on Earth.

What does this mean to you as a dream seeker? It means that if you will just start asking and talking, you will find a myriad of sources for help and information right outside your front door. But you have to start the process.

My friend and mentor Barbara Winter ends her workshop with a gleeful shout, "and don't forget to talk to strangers!" Indeed, she can regale you with stories for hours about her own conversations on airplanes, in restaurants, and in queues around the world.

You need two approaches to make this work. The first is to just talk with everyone you encounter about your goal or challenge. When someone casually says "what do you do?", have your 2 sentence answer ready. "I am working at _________(researching, creating, building, designing) my dream of becoming a _________(consultant, inventor, professional musician, chef, etc.)

You will be amazed how many times someone will respond that they know someone else doing that, or mention an article they just read, or an NPR story they heard about your subject, etc.

Now the trick is to gather usable information from this conversation. Don't just say, "oh, really." Ask for the person's name, or more details about the book or show.

Pull your nifty little notebook out of your pocket or purse and write down the details. Ask for a referral or an introduction. Or, in the case that this person has knowledge or experience to share, invite them to coffee, lunch or breakfast to pick their brain. Don't be shy - people love it when you ask them to help you.

The second approach takes a little more work. Go back to the first two GPS articles on the library and the internet. Take the information you have gleaned from the resources you found there and FOLLOW-UP ON IT.

If there is a professional association that relates, call the membership contact and ask about visiting a meeting. Once there, talk to everyone! Have your ducks in a row. Know what it is you need to know so you can ask folks intelligent questions. "How do you market your service?" "Have you been able to find good suppliers?" "What has been your biggest challenge?" "Is there a particular niche you think I should focus on?"

Another approach is to make up a questionnaire, locate possible competition or related businesses in your area, and then visit them to ask your questions. Call ahead and explain that you are thinking about getting into ____ or starting a _____and ask if they could spare 30 minutes to answer some questions.

In most cases, people are flattered that you have asked, want to show off their own knowledge and are more than willing to share their experience. If you get a dud who is competitive or discouraging, just end the conversation and go on to another one.

Check the yellow pages under Associations or Organizations or Clubs for other groups that might be helpful. Ask everyone at your church, gym, office or talk to the self-employed folks you find working at the local coffee shop. I found a fellow coach and eventual workshop collaborator when she overheard my conversation with the coffee barista.

Expand your circle of friends. Join a club, take a class, seek out the kind of people who are interested in the same thing you are. Often, our family and close friends are not our best supporters.

Google "entrepreneurs or small businesses + (your town) to find a group of like-minded dream seekers. Check the local chapters of the Chamber of Commerce, E-women Network, Nat'l Assoc of Women Business Owners.

Go ahead and be nosy - talk to strangers as well as friends and acquaintances and friends of friends. Remember, you are only 6 people away from expert help!