3.Make people unhappy

4. Specific Business Goals

Finally, list your specific business goals. Exactly what do you want your business to accomplish for you? Freedom from 9 to 5? Money-and if so, how much? More time with the children? Making the world or your little part of it a better place? Its your wish list, so be specific and enjoy writing it.

Antoinette Gorzak: My Specific Business Goals

1.Have my own business that gives me a decent living and financial independence

2.Work with and sell to my friends and acquaintances as well as new customers

3.Introduce clothing presently unavailable in my city and provide a real service for working women

4.Be part of the growing network of successful businesswomen

5.Be respected for my success

C. How to Use the Self-Evaluation Lists

After youve completed the four self-evaluation lists, spend some time reading them over. Take a moment to compare the skills needed in your business to the list of skills you have. Do you have what it takes?

Show them to your family and, if youre brave, to your friends or anyone who knows you well and can be objective. Of course, before showing the lists to anyone, you may choose to delete any private information that isnt critical to your business. If you show your lists to someone who knows the tough realities of running a successful small business, so much the better. You may want to find a former teacher, a fellow employee or someone else whose judgment you respect.

What do they think? Do they point out any obvious inconsistencies between your personality or skills and what you want to accomplish? If so, pay attention. Treat this exercise seriously and you will know yourself better. Oh, and dont destroy your lists. Assuming you go ahead with your business and write your business plan, the lists can serve as background material or even become part of the final plan.

You have accomplished several things if you have followed these steps. You have looked inside and asked yourself some basic questions about who you are and what you are realistically qualified to do. As a result, you should now have a better idea of whether you are willing to pay the price required to be successful as a small businessperson. If you are still eager to have a business, you have said, "Yes, I am willing to make short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term benefits and to do whatever is necessary-no matter the inconvenience-to reach my goals."

D. Reality Check: Bankers Analysis