Would-be solo business owners often know they want to go it alone, but can’t figure out how to choose a career. Similarly, established soloists often get the urge to change direction when they outgrow their original business idea.

Last month my friend Emma called to inform me she had decided to quit her job and start a business in the fitness industry.

“I didn’t know you were interested in fitness!” I exclaimed to her.

“Oh, I’m not. But I know someone who has a business in the industry and he is making an absolute fortune” she replied.

It always amazes me how people can contemplate starting a business in an industry that they have little or no interest in.

You must be passionate about your field if you are to have any chance of competing against others who have a genuine passion for what they do.

I mentioned this to Emma, who replied “I’m just so sick of my job. I really want to start something. Got any ideas?”

My website receives numerous enquiries from people who are in Emma’s situation.

If you find yourself wondering how to choose a career and what type of business you should start, I recommend you begin by answering these questions:

1. What do you enjoy doing the most?

2. How could you do it so that other people will get value out of it and will invest in it?

3. How can you reach a lot of people?

4. How can you make it profitable?

Want more articles like this? Check out the choosing a career section.

Many soloists started a business that they were passionate about five or ten years ago, but have now reached a point where their work no longer interests them.

Considering that most of us will have around five to seven career changes throughout our lifetime, this is to be expected.

So how do you know if it’s time to make a change? Consider these questions:

• Do you love what you do?
• Does your business challenge you mentally?
• Do you look forward to the working week?
• Is there something else you would rather be doing?

Still unsure? Here are a couple of activities which may help.

Take a blank sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle to form two columns. In one column write down all the aspects of your business that you enjoy and in the other column, write down all the aspects of your business that you don’t enjoy.

How do the two columns compare?

Or you can try creating a picture of your ideal job. Feel free to get creative: use stick figures, cut outs from magazines and photos.

How closely does this picture resemble your current work?