My grandfather said to me many times "If you don't ask, you don't know."
He was a salesman and what he meant was you will never get something you don't ask for. Some things come by accident but success rarely comes by chance.
I am taking a business start up course to plan my 6th attempt at self employment. The first 5 had relative success meaning relative to my age and experience the results were OK. Today I am 36 and the stakes are higher. The world needs and expects more from me and my goals are aligned with that.
If you asked me about my business interest a week ago I would have said it was broadly fitness and specifically personal training. I have begun to investigate this further using the research skills learned in my course. Today I began with Customer Interviews. Through 5-10 minute exploratory chats were everyday people I discovered that I am not pursuing a fitness business at all.
What I have actually been seeking and what people want from me are results in various metrics:
A plan that allows them to achieve their health goal as fast as possible
A plan that incorporates the accountability they struggle to give themselves
A price point that reflects the value delivered but tailored toward a middle class lifestyle.
People are looking for me to provide them with a service. They are looking for me to provide them with a result beyond expectation, something exceptional in a crowded and loud industry.
I wouldn't have known this if I hadn't begun asking questions.