Step 3: Build
Build Your Opportunity List
If you’ve made it this far, thank you.
You’ve stopped.
You’ve reflected.
You’ve thought differently about what creating a second income could look like.
Now it’s time to build something practical.
I believe the Opportunity List is one of the most valuable resources you’ll ever create.
Not because it’s only useful for one business.
Because it’s useful for almost any business.
Whether you decide to start a blog, become a freelancer, launch your own company, build a Utility Warehouse business or choose something completely different, your network is one of your greatest assets.
The sooner you begin recognising it, the more valuable it becomes.
Before You Start
This isn’t a list of people you’re going to sell to.
It’s not a list of people you’re going to pressure.
It’s simply a list of people you know.
Some may become customers.
Some may recommend you to others.
Some may become business partners.
Some may simply encourage you.
Every relationship has value.
Start Close to Home
Begin with the obvious.
Think about:
- Family
- Friends
- Neighbours
- Former neighbours
- School friends
- College friends
- University friends
- Your partner’s friends and family
Don’t judge whether they’ll be interested.
Just write their names down.
Think About Work
Who have you met through your career?
Current colleagues.
Former colleagues.
Managers.
Former managers.
Clients.
Customers.
Suppliers.
Contractors.
Recruitment consultants.
Professional contacts.
LinkedIn connections.
People you’ve met at networking events.
Everyday Life
It’s amazing how many people we meet without really thinking about it.
Consider:
- The postman or postwoman
- Your hairdresser or barber
- Your dentist
- Your optician
- Your GP surgery
- Your mechanic
- Your window cleaner
- Your gardener
- Local café owners
- Your favourite coffee shop
- The dog walker you always chat to
- Your gym instructor
- Parents at school
- Sports clubs
- Local pubs and restaurants
- Tradespeople you’ve used
Online Connections
Don’t forget your digital network.
Look through:
- WhatsApp groups
- Your phone contacts
- Old emails
- Previous workplaces
- Online communities
- Forums
- Local Facebook groups
You’ll almost certainly remember people you’d forgotten about.
Places You’ve Lived
Think back.
Where have you lived?
Who were your neighbours?
Who did you know there?
Which schools did you attend?
Which clubs were you part of?
Sometimes the oldest connections become the strongest.
Work Through the Alphabet
This sounds simple.
Because it is.
Start with A.
Who do you know whose first name begins with A?
Then B.
Then C.
Keep going.
It’s surprising how many names suddenly come back to you.
Keep Building
Don’t expect to finish this today.
In fact, I hope you don’t.
This list should continue growing.
Next week you’ll remember another name.
Next month you’ll meet someone new.
Next year you’ll probably double the size of your list.
Keep coming back.
Keep adding to it.
Your network is always growing.
One Final Thought
Don’t decide today who might be interested in what you’re doing.
People’s circumstances change.
Careers change.
Priorities change.
Lives change.
Your job isn’t to make decisions for other people.
Your job is simply to recognise the relationships you’ve already built.
You might be surprised just how valuable they become.
You’ve now built something you’ll be able to use for years to come.
In the next step, I’d like to share the path I eventually chose, why I chose it and the lessons I learned along the way.
Whenever you’re ready, let’s continue the journey.