I can do everything!

Yes you can – which can confuse everyone. 

Yes you can – which can leave you exhausted. 

Yes you can – and not very well.

You own your own business and you’re just starting out.  It’s a scary time and you want as much business as you can possibly have.  You take on projects from anyone who walks through your door. 

You work for a company and you take on everything you possibly can.  You offer to help everyone with every project and get on all the committees.  You take on the jobs that others don’t want to do.

Does any of the above sound familiar?  Whether you work for yourself or you work for someone else, it’s time to find your niche.

A niche is specific.  For business owners it’s what you offer to your market and what you’re known for.  For employees it’s much the same, it’s what you’re good at and could be your specialty.  In either case having a niche will help others remember you.  You pick a niche that can bring attention to yourself and then develop your personal public relations efforts to let the world know who you are.

Many entrepreneurs start out offering as many services as possible to as many people as possible.  It’s hard for the market place to understand what you do, when you say you can do everything.  Pick a service or product that you’re really good at and pick a specific market that needs and wants that service or product.  When you’ve established yourself and have business, that’s the time to add another service or product.

Picking a niche as an employee is slightly different.  Instead of a service or a product, think of your skills.  First examine what you really enjoy doing.  Here are some examples:  Organizing; managing; problem solving; team building; details; big picture thinking, you get the idea.  Be conscious of this niche and take on work activities that need your niche. 

Continue to strengthen your strengths.  Activities and work that are opposite of your niche are those activities that you don’t want to volunteer for or perhaps you can delegate.

Remember to promote yourself and shout it out (see past blogs for great tips on how to do that).  You’ll be doing great and letting others know it will get you that promotion that you’ve always wanted.

What’s your niche?  What are you really good at?  Share below, we’d like to know.

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