How would you like to spend the next 10, 20 or even 30 years of your career feeling like you’ve never worked a day?  That is the kind of joy most people long for, and what author Nicholas Lore, who has just updated his 1998 bestseller The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success, says he has done for the past 30 years.

In an interview with Entrepreneur Magazine, Lore notes that one of the stumbling blocks to attaining a career that you love is, surprisingly, your brain:

We listen to the little voice in our brain that is always trying to minimize risk. It is just biology at work trying to keep us safe. The brain doesn’t like risk and does its best to talk you out of anything risky. It wants to instantly return you to your comfort zone.

Lore says that most people spend more time researching what kind of car to buy than answering what he calls “the big wonderful question” of what kind of work they should be doing.  He advises those seeking a new career path to find clues in their lives about what excites them, what matters to them, what they care about – even what kind of music they listen to and the TV programs they watch.  This, he says, will provide insight into your true passion – but perhaps not in the way you think.

For example, Lore says that his own passion is sailing, but that he would never want to be a charter boat skipper.  Instead, he examined what he likes so much about sailing and discovered that sailing requires making hundreds of little decisions while you are doing it.  This awakened Lore to the fact of how much he likes constant problem solving — which led to his now 30-year job as a career coach.

If you want to learn more about the right career path for your personality, attend our free April 26 webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path.  The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.

In a blog post on the Houston Chronicle website, career columnist Kim Thompson poses the question: Can a franchise be a career option? 

Thompson notes that one of the common misconceptions that keep people from considering investing in a franchise is that franchising is only for entrepreneurs.  But, Thompson says, this is a mistake since franchising means operating within a defined system, so those who are truly entrepreneurial may become frustrated or disappointed in following a proven business model.

She also notes that those who have spent their careers in Corporate America often feel drawn to a franchise because of the training and support franchisors offer, as well as the national marketing campaigns that support new franchisees.  They are also attracted because franchises offer a lower risk proposition than pure start-ups.

Thompson says the key to determining if a franchise is a good career strategy is to conduct extensive research, starting by identifying the services or products that interest you, or would be a good fit for your current skill set.  She also advises potential franchisees to consult with a franchise consultant who can provide guidance on what kinds of franchise opportunities would be a good fit for you and the associated costs.

While franchising provides a good structure and less risk, you need to assess if you have the motivation and skills it takes to be a successful franchisee.  A franchise consultant can help you determine this as well.  At The Entrepreneur Authority, we encourage anyone interested in becoming a franchise owner to take our proprietary eQuiz™, which helps assess if you have the right mix of skills to succeed as a franchise entrepreneur….or what we call the “franchipreneur”.

To learn more about franchising as a good career move, attend our free March 22 webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path.  The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register.  To register online, click here.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.

Studies show that the vast majority of us would rather work for ourselves than for anyone else.  So why doesn’t everybody go out and start their own businesses?  It’s usually because of fear.

Larina Kase, author of The Confident Leader, says if you are stuck in limbo and want to get to the point where you can make a decision, you should take these five steps:

Uncover your fears.  In order to move forward, you have to understand exactly what it is you fear.  One of the best ways to do this is to ask yourself what would happen if the fear came true.

Get perspective.  When we imagine our fears being realized, most of us exaggerate the consequences to an unlikely extreme.  Try to keep things in perspective and reduce your anxiety by challenging negative thoughts.

Take baby steps.  One of the best ways to overcome your fears is to test them.  Doing something that makes you anxious gives you confidence to tackle larger fears.

Make a one-hour commitment.  Imagine just for one hour that you have already made the decision you are struggling with and see how that makes you feel.

Go with your gut.  If you are in analysis paralysis – researching the same information over and over – trying trusting your gut.  Your intuition will take into account what you already know and is liable to guide you to the right decision.

To learn more about realizing a dream of business ownership, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path.  The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.

Entering into any new business venture is a process; here are some of the major steps along the way:

1. Self-evaluation. Matching franchise opportunities with the skills you have accumulated over your career and your own personal strengths and weaknesses is the first step in finding the right franchise for you.

2. Choose a franchise consultant. While there are lots of online resources for researching franchise opportunities, a knowledgeable franchise consultant can be invaluable in guiding you through what can be a complex process.

3. Research. You need to not only look at businesses that on the surface appeal to you personally, but also those that meet a market demand in your geographical area. Once you have narrowed your choices, you will need to obtain a Franchise Disclosure Document from each potential franchise and examine it thoroughly with the assistance of a franchise attorney.

4. Attend Discovery Day. This is where you will get more in-depth knowledge about the franchises you are researching. You will likely visit the franchisor’s corporate office and have the opportunity to meet the management team. Be ready with a list of comprehensive questions.

5. Talk to other franchisees. Choose a good mix of existing franchisees that are in your region as well as one or two others who are new to the system. Ask them if they are happy with the support they are getting from the home office as well as if their financial and other expectations are being met.

6. Make your choice and find financing. Once you have made your choice, you will have everything you need to secure financing. More franchisors are stepping up to fill the financing vacuum these days, so be sure you explore options before you sign the agreement.

7. Sign on the bottom line. Sometimes there is room for negotiation in franchise agreements. Again, be sure you are working with an experienced franchise attorney, who can help guide you through that process.

8. Permits and insurance. The franchisor is the most likely source of guidance on state, county, or city requirements for permits and insurance needed prior to opening your franchise. You can also get information at SBA.gov.

9. Staffing and training. Franchisors are responsible for providing training to you and your staff (if the franchise you have chosen requires a staff). Depending on the franchise, training could take place at a franchisor’s home office or at field locations, and can range from a few days to a week or more.

10. Open for business. A key component of your training will focus on the grand opening of your franchise. Beyond an operations manual, you should receive intensive training on franchise marketing practices. Some franchisors provide a corporate trainer to be at your location during grand opening.

To learn about what it takes to run a successful franchise, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path.  The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.