Px6: Self-Assessment for Aspiring (and Established!) Entrepreneurs
Read Introduction
Read Part 1: Promises
Read Part 2: Possession
Read Part 4: Progress
Read Part 5: Promotion
3/9 Axis: Perceptions
Most of what we learn early in life comes from our immediate surroundings: what our bodies tell us, how parents and siblings treat us, what teachers teach us and all the subtle data we pick up on our antennae in each passing moment. Then, as we grow up, we venture out into unfamiliar territory, experiment with different ways of being, experience new surroundings and discover other ways of thinking. Collectively, all these countless learning moments pile up inside us and create a corpus of knowledge through which we perceive and respond to the world.
What we know in life is closely tied to how we speak — which, in turn, is never far from our identity itself. It’s important both to have a solid base of knowledge about the world and about your field (common knowledge, conventional wisdom, basic assumptions and so forth) and to develop your own creative contributions as an entrepreneur. But just as important as knowing things is knowing what you know — and what you don’t. Because without that meta-view of your mind, you might as well be hacking through thick jungles without a map.
3rd House: Our Perceptions
To understand what foundational knowledge you carry into your self-employment, answer each of the following questions for yourself in turn.
1) What is the broad foundation of assumptions, information and knowledge in which my work is sourced? In very basic terms, what is my field? What are the basic tenets of the field? To which “subdivision” do I belong, if any? Where does that sub-field fit into the larger field — traditional? mainstream? fringe? emerging?
2) Who are the major thinkers in my field and sub-field? Who pioneered the field? Who took up the baton? Who are the contemporary and emerging thinkers within my field? What have each of these people contributed to the field?
3) With which major thinkers do I find similarities and differences? What are those similarities and differences? What early knowledge or experiences led me to the thinkers with whom I identify? What puts me off of others? Is my business defined by my affinity for, or differences with, a particular sub-field or thinker in my industry? Do I speak to customers, partners and others through this perspective? If so, is it beneficial to my business or detrimental?
4) What don’t I know about my field? In what area of my field or specialty am I weak? Where do I need to focus my learning or professional development? Does a gap in knowledge make me feel less valuable or effective?
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9th House: My Perceptions
To understand what how you can move from foundational knowledge into your own creative ideas — how you can light your own torch of insight and wisdom to distinguish yourself in your field — answer each of the following questions in turn.
1) What experiences have influenced the way I think about my job and my field? Have these experiences confirmed or gone against my “book learning” in the field? How have my experiences led to skills, self-confidence or my own way of approaching my work?
2) Does my experience-led wisdom change my niche? Or am I still squarely within a defined sub-field of my industry? How does my experience translate to value for my clients or customers? How does it enhance the products and services I offer? Does it change my target audience?
3) In what area(s) could I use more hands-on experience? Where and when do I still need to refer to people, books or other resources? Where am I less confident about what I offer? Does that influence the way I handle projects or interact with clients? Where and how could I get the experience I need?
4) How can I articulate my own experience-led wisdom in a positive way? How can I raise my own voice, and make my own wisdom known, without disrespecting important thinkers in my field? How can my unique knowledge and perspective within my field become my “brand”?
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Take Me to Part 4!
In Part 4, Progress, you’ll explore the tension between belonging to a community or tribe, on one hand, and pursuing your highest goals alone, on the other. How do you resolve the tension that often crops up when focused determination interferes with family obligations — or vice versa? Take me there now!
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Photo credits: Books, The Thinker
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