It’s easier to keep doing the same thing every day than to take risks.  But how far will that get you? The saying, “Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result” makes sense and can keep you from making money.

You don’t have to be crazy to take risks (although sometimes it helps). Before you get back into the same routine today, consider a few questions.

Have you thought of a way to expand your product or services? Listen to your customers and clients. My first business was strictly home organizing.  After I started hearing from people who work from home, the light bulb went off, I ditched home organizing and switched to home office services.  It was a risk because I’d spent so many years establishing myself in the organizing field. I’ve never looked back.

Are you willing to share your ideas with others? Your family may not want to hear what you have to say (if you have teenagers you understand what I mean), but clients and other business owners could benefit from your advice.  Start a blog and update it regularly. Just don’t ask your visitors to clean up their rooms.

Have you sent your product or offered your services to a high profile executive, personality or even sports figure? All they can do is say no. But imagine the publicity a well-known figure could generate for you. If you don’t ask you’ll never know.  A good source for contacting celebrities is Contact Any Celebrity.

Have you wanted to start a second business or quit your job and work from home? If you’re working from home, you can scratch overhead cost off your budget.  Instead figure out if you can make a business work by crunching the materials/marketing/sales numbers.  In the beginning, your biggest investment will be your time.  But as they say, don’t quit your day job…unless you’re making money.