There’s a very old adage which says, “Find a need and fill it” for business success. How can you use this to find your great small business idea?

First of all, listen to yourself. What do you wish was different? What are frustrated about? I’m not talking about wishing Brad Pitt would show up at your door with a glass slipper and being frustrated that you don’t have a million dollars. Although romance and making money are up there on everyone’s need list. . . . so, if you can find a new angle, and you are passionate about it, start there.

But, what little (or big) things bother you—long lines at the auto inspection station? How about children with poor table manners, husbands who can’t see white socks on wood flooring, neighbors who don’t weed their gardens, impossible-to-open plastic packaging, or hard-to-find shoe sizes? There are business ideas in your pet peeves!

Then, listen to your family & friends. What are they fussing about? Not enough time to cook, walk the dog, clean the house? Having to take off work to wait for repairmen, being unable to find drapes for the living room, hate paying their bills, can’t find a good babysitter, loathe going to the grocery store? Throw a block party and you’ll find more business ideas than you can remember.

And, finally, read and research. Watch the news, read papers & magazines, online news stories, forums, and websites. What problems are they talking about? What’s new in other parts of the world but hasn’t hit your little corner yet?

Keep a log of “problems” and pet peeves as you think about them or hear them. Then, brainstorm ways you might be able to fix the problem or fill the need. If you can find a problem and it relates to what you are good at, you’ll have a winner. Do a feasibility study to find out if people are willing to pay for your product or service and how much it’s worth—just ask!

There are businesses out there now providing services like taking your car through inspection, teaching children table manners and the like. They found a need and are filling it, running their own businesses. You can, too!

Transform you life in 7 days with Tony Robbins.