Getting to 9

Today the Upcycle idea took its first steps outside the comfort zone of myself and friends.

I had an executive coaching meeting with Ron Cacioppe of Integral Development, talking about work and career.  Upcycle made its appearance in a discussion on where I will be in 2 years time (i.e. a year after my current contract ends).  His question was "Where is it on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being 'this won't fly' and 10 being 'this will happen come hell or high water'?"  How serious am I?

I think it is an 8.  There are still doubts, there is that unresolved fear of putting several hundred thousand dollars at risk.  Money hard earned, and perhaps not as easily found again.  Plus the stresses this will put on my family.  I am serious, but with reservations.

He responded "In my experience, only ideas ranked 9 or above actually proceed".  Wow!  That is serious.  Or perhaps intended to force me to crystallise my thinking - if I'd said 5, he may have said only 6 and above proceeds.  No matter, the effect was a sharp focus.  So the challenge shifts from a nebulous notion of a business to be founded, becoming "How do I get to 9?"

Getting to 9.  Distilling my intent and fuzzy wishes into something concrete.  How far am I prepared to take this thing?  I'd obviously like to think it comes with me all the way.  So steps to be taken.  Four at the moment:

1. Finish the business plan, making it rock solid built of robust assumptions.
2. Move part time, perhaps 4 days a week.  That solves a problem with work being probably only a 3-4 day job with occasional bouts of 6-7 day work, and forces the issue.  Put the day "off" into Upcycle
3. Make the Upcycle days work days.  Work from a sub-let office, perhaps study a Uni course, work on the business, but invest it.
4. Find business partners, perhaps through study, perhaps through networking events, perhaps more broadly.

This helps.  Discrete action to be taken, steps to help me build belief and trust in this vision.  Steps to help me strengthen the idea through outside advice.  All of which starts to expose the idea to the sorts of validation tests needed if it is to become real.