So, what do you want to do with your life?  Remember when you were asked that question as a youth?  You actually probably had something you really thought was a good idea but probably not the idea others envisioned for you.  So you stuffed it away and did the work that made others happy.

Now you’re facing life and professional changes.  Even if you’re still gainfully employed the idea of starting your own business or pursuing that long-lost idea still nags at you.  If you’re alive and breathing it’s never too late to try something new. Change can be your best friend when you take steps to make it work for you.  Here are a few ideas to start your thinking process.

1.  You have the experience to be a coach, consultant or mentor to others

You already have what you need to be a Coach, Consultant or Mentor. If you’ve been working for someone else all these years, you will need to restructure your way of thinking about business. Striking out on your own doesn’t have to be frightening, expensive, or the huge risk you often read about.  What you need is knowledge of what you have that others want and a system and method to get that information to them.

2. Understand the basics of running a business.

With that said you still have to understand how to get a business set up and operating.   If you have no job at this time, you will need to have enough money to get going for at least the first six months as you get started. You might have money saved up from years of working or you might not. You don’t want to run up a lot of new debt as you get started in your business.  So select a business model that doesn’t take a lot of start up money.

3. Inventory what you already have to get started

You can control start up costs by using what you already have to get started.  Something like a Coaching or Consulting business is not that expensive to start. Other businesses can be started on a shoe-string budget. Look around the house and see where you can clear some space for a home office.  Do you already have a computer, file storage, office supplies?  These are some of the basic items you need to do work in this modern age.

4. Inventory your skills and talents

Do a skills inventory by thinking of all of your previous work experiences. Recall what you’ve done and learned over the years to be a success in the workplace.  Consider all of the special assignments and training programs you’ve completed.  Make a list of these skills and start looking at these skills in new ways, combining different skills to deliver unique services.  For instance if you’re good at technology and love to write, work with developing writing skills and electronic information products.

5, Don’t stop dreaming with the obvious

Don’t stop with looking at what you’ve already done.  Think about what you’ve always dreamed about doing too.  It’s time to really go for your dreams.  Think of it as a “now or never” time in your life.   

Once you think about what you can do, which will be a long list when you know how to look at your skills and talents, you will be on your way to finding how to be a successful independent service provider to others. Facing change at this stage in life can be a Boomer’s best friend when you harness that change for your good.