Skill
--noun
1. the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
2. competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity: The dancers performed with skill.
3. a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.
4. Obsolete. understanding; discernment.
5. Obsolete. reason; cause.
Origin: 1125-75; ME < ON skil distinction, difference; c. D geschil difference, quarrel.
One of the concrete concepts of success in any area of our lives is that we must realistically be able to look at ourselves. We need to not only look at the skills that we currently have, but also at the skills and psychology of what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Most businesses fail because the owners choose to attempt to learn new skills instead of relying on the skills they already have. That's why we need to start the discussion with how to determine what your skills really are. Many people have a lot of trouble with this phase of the process and many more underestimate the types of experience they actually have. Let's start with this question, "If you moved to somewhere in the country that you had never been to before or knew anybody, what do you know how to do that could create revenue within a week?"
To help jog your memory, start with these ideas:
- What are the tasks that you are responsible for at your job?
- What are the tasks you do as a parent?
- What are people always asking your opinion about?
- What are the markets and industries you have experience in?
- What tasks do you do at home?
- What do you do in your spare time?
- If you had spare time, what would you like to do?
- What are people always asking you for your help with?
- What do you feel you are good at, but not currently utilizing?
Most of us don't realize all that we do in a day that could be considered a skill. Picking something up at the store for someone (delivery service), fixing your coworkers computer again (computer consultant), or teaching your son how to hit a fly ball (sports instructor). To get a feel for the entire scope of what you actually know how to do, carry a small notebook around with you for a few days and write down everything you do. You will be amazed at the amount of things you know how to do.