How do you view opportunities?
We are buried in snow here in Michigan. The initial prediction was that we were going to get up to six inches of snow. I have ten inches in my driveway. It is heavy and hard to shovel. If only I had a snow blower, I think I could have made a few quick bucks. Which got me to thinking about my kids…
Millionaire at work
I want to teach my kids how to be resourceful, respect honest work and the value of a dollar. So how can a child who is still in school learn how to be an entrepreneur? They need to be taught. Formal school isn’t going to teach them, it’s up to me, the parent (and Mom too, let’s not forget about Mom). We need to get them in the mindset that they can create work and create their own opportunities if they can just see the opportunities out there.
All this snow looks like a gold mine to me. All my kids would need is a minimal investment to get started, a snow blower and some gas. They could start by walking from house to house asking to clear driveways. Here’s what I think they’ll learn;
- The art of negotiating
- The value of their efforts
- How to create opportunities
- How to deal with rejection
The same would be true for other neighborhood jobs like grass cutting, babysitting and general yard maintenance. They wouldn’t need any special training or large amounts of overhead. They would just have their own two legs and a little determination. The next step would be to organize others to do even more work in the area.
What skills do you have that you could turn into your own side business? Look to what you do for fun and that’s probably your answer.
Reiter Thinks 
Matt,
Your post today has truly captured my attention. What you describe is how my parents raised me. Daily living and all it’s ups and downs were the pathway to learning and growing into adulthood.
As for your question — what skills did I use to make money on the side?
—
1. Musical talent – singing, guitar, piano
2. Typing
3. Teaching/tutoring
4. French language – actually babysat children of French executives on long term assignments in USA
5. Organizing/cleaning
6. Teaching small businesses to use Twitter
Although I don’t have much time now for this extra work, it sure feels good to have talents that travel through my life!!
Your post today is one of my favorites.
Kate
Kate,
I hope that I instill in my children that hand-outs don’t exist. Waiting around for them is just fools gold. They need to go out and earn a living.
They need to be able to see past false barriers and create opportunities.
What happened to all of those kids who set up lemonade stands? Did they keep that mindset as they grew up?
-Matt
Matt,
Well said. Brings me back to shoveling driveways, cutting grass and delivering papers when I was a kid. I am going to try something this year that I haven’t done yet. Volunteer. There is a group called the First Tee that teaches golf etiquette to children and then relates that etiquette to real life. My hope is to give a little back, but at the same time turn that into an opportunity to meet some like minded people who enjoy doing what I do. This should turn into business down the road, and possibly friendships.
Matt,
First Tee sounds right up your alley! Making connections is important and being able to connect while you are with likeminded people is even better.
I think you’re on to something.
Thanks for your first comment too! I hope business is going well.
Matt