Scratching Your Own Itch
One of my favorite e-books is Getting Real. It’s from 37signals, the guys who made Ruby on Rails famous. They share lots of thoughts on their business and how they develop web applications. The book shares:
A great way to build software is to start out by solving your own problems. You’ll be the target audience and you’ll know what’s important and what’s not. That gives you a great head start on delivering a breakout product.
Even if you aren’t building software – even if you are wanting to offer a product or service, think about what you would have value to you.
The key here is understanding that you’re not alone. If you’re having this problem, it’s likely hundreds of thousands of others are in the same boat. There’s your market. Wasn’t that easy?
Every entrepreneur should remember this. Whenever something is a hassle, a service or a product, and it can be improved, then there just might be a business model there. There is a chance to make money!
Example: When I need to deposit/withdraw money, I have to run to the bank before 3PM. If I’m too busy in the office, I might not be able to go to the bank. Someone figured out there must be some business there and so – viola! Banks like Banco De Oro now stay open up to 6PM (In the malls, they are open up to 7PM). Isn’t that solving a hassle?
Programmers call it “scratching an itch.” Imagine a recurring problem that’s really bugging you. Whenever you work, it comes up. Eventually, you solve it. You create an efficient system of solving this problem. There – you’ve just scratched your itch. Now can you make money out of it?
What if your itch is … Lack of money? How do you scratch that?
Well, first, you think about it. You think of a solution to it and keep a healthy attitude. Then, you act on the solutions you come up with. You will eventually solve it. Just have faith.
A year ago, someone I knew had a salary rate of P25,000. Now, he earns more than double that. He just kept working, with a healthy attitude, and a optimistic view to life. He believed in himself that his financial condition would improve.
It did.
Scratch an itch today. Solve a problem. Make money.