Why do you want to start your own home business? Each day, I speak to people that are looking to transition out of their "old" lives and jobs, and transition into a live they'll love. Read though some of these popular reasons for wanting to start a home business, and see how many of them you can identify with:

• I hate my job, and I need a way out.
  
  
• I want to be home with my children.
  
  
• I'm tired of the politics of my "real" job.
  
  
• I want to bring in extra income - but I don't want to leave my children with a sitter.
  
  
• My job is killing me - I work too many hours.
  
  
• I'm not getting any satisfaction out of my job.
  
  
• I want to be more creative.
  
  
• I need to be able to control my life more.
  
  
• Isn't there more to life than just a "job?"
  

These "internal grumblings" and initial discontent is the first step to owning your own business. The daily dissatisfaction you are feeling is just your mind's way of saying "Hey, I'm not reaching my potential here! Let's do something different!" You may be ignoring these feelings now. "What can I do about them," you may reply. "I'm stuck here in my dead-end job." The exciting thing is, you CAN do something about it! You CAN follow your heart, change your life and start your own business! With a little effort, self-discovery, and planning, you can embrace these "internal grumblings," examine them, and turn your dissatisfying life into a life you'll love.

Finding a way to create a life and work you'll love depends on you. Even though we all get email and infomercial blasts every day promising us the "perfect home business," you will ultimately have to decide what kind of business YOU want to have. If you let someone else tell you what kind of business to start, whether it be a well-meaning spouse, parent or friend, you'll never get to discover your own extraordinary potential. We all have unlimited potential, unique talents and boundless gifts that will ultimately lead you to your home business decision - the trick is to rediscover these passions.

If you want a home business, but don't know what business is right for you, think about what activities you enjoy and you could see yourself doing. If you need to, go back to your childhood, and think about the things that made you feel special or talented. Don't try to pigeonhole your talents into a home business idea yet. Instead, take this time to explore your interests, discover your passions, and find out what feels good. Did you enjoy writing stories as a child? Consider taking a writing class to refine your art. Are you a super-organized person who feels best with "everything in it's place?" Help a friend organize their office. Pay attention to the activities that make you lose track of time - the ones where you look at the clock and realized that hours have passed. These are the activities that are leading you closer to your passion - and your home based business.

Allow yourself the time you need to explore your passions. For some people, a few months is all they need before they formulate the perfect home business for them. Other people require a little more exploration, a little more time, and a trusted friend or a home business consultant to help them along in their path. There is no correct or incorrect timeline. The important thing is to discover (or rediscover) your lost talents and gifts, and determine how you can incorporate these gifts into your business. If you give yourself enough time, and fully explore your home business options, you'll find the business that's right for you, and set yourself on your self-employment path.

Making a decision to start your own home business is not an easy one, and at times, you'll wish for the relative security of a "real job." Finding your home business niche (or niches) is a time-consuming process of self-discovery, exploration, and experimentation. However, once you find your niche, once you follow your heart and find the home business that's right for you, there is a marvelous and amazing trade-off - a joyous and wonderful life (and work) you'll love!

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Heather Martin works with her husband Scott as home business consultants. Heather is the author of varied home business articles including "Ten Timeless Tips to Successfully Market Your Business" and "Finding Your Home Business Path." They live in Washington State with their dog, Corky, and their cat, Tigger. You can learn more about them and their new online course at their website: http://www.bizine.com/hbc