Now that AJ&Smart Consulting and Workshopper have their own management teams and are running without my direct involvement, it’s time for me to look for my “next thing”.
As of writing this newsletter, I still have no idea what it is or where the inspiration will come from. This newsletter is a place for me to explore topics and get them in writing to see if anything sticks.
So, how do I go about it? Well, it’s pretty messy! I’m resting, reading, consuming info, and thinking. I’m talking to people for inspiration, I’m bouncing ideas off of team members and I’m trying little experiments here and there.
The only rule I have is that the idea must generate 1 Million Euro Gross Revenue (pretty much the same in dollars) within the year it’s launched. Anything less than that doesn’t feel worth the time. That’s a general rule for new projects or initiatives at AJ&Smart.
So here are some of the specific things I’m doing to find my next idea:
Watching a crap ton of Youtube videos from people who inspire me, just to see if anything tickles my business brain. What am I watching? Pretty much anything about making money! Here’s what’s open in the other tab as I’m writing this.
Listening to podcasts from business owners who inspire me. I’m currently going through a backlog of Noah Kagans’ podcast. He’s the guy who runs AppSumo
I’m reading through posts in our paid communities (today the Workshopper Master community) to see if anything a customer says gives me some inspiration. These people already paid for our stuff, so hopefully, they’ll want to pay for more stuff at some point!
I’m chatting and meeting with interesting people who I find inspirational. Other CEOs, other entrepreneurs, and content creators.
Hunting around on Twitter for inspiration… really loving Alex Hermozi right now.
I’m reading books! Currently reading “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert and seeing where my mind takes me as I highlight interesting passages.
I’m lurking in Mastermind (like Sam Oven’s Quantum) groups and online courses I’m part of to see what people are talking about
I’m chatting with mentors and coaches and seeing if they can help me shape my direction
Eventually, if all goes well, sometime in 2023 I will have found a new Million Dollar Idea for AJ&Smart!
I have no idea what it will be, but that’s what I LOVE about my job!
Wish me luck :)
Cheers,
Jonathan
Woooow, letting your mind free to create, listening to others, coming up with ideas... is the most beautiful part of our work! You'll manage ;-)
Good luck, I have no doubt you'll find it soon!