Starting a home business is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. You're facing a pile of scattered pieces and it may be a little uncertain where to begin.

I think that the best way to begin is by taking a look inside yourself: at your talents, abilities, interests, and personal motivations.

1. Make an objective list of your talents and abilities.
Ask friends and family what they think you're good at doing. You must be skilled in your field; whether it's computer programming, selling, cooking, baking, etc.

2. Make a list with activities you enjoy.
This often will point to natural skills and abilities, and can be directed into business ideas.

3. Make a list about "how would I like to spend a perfect day" or a weekend, a holyday, a vacation. On one hand, such kind of list will help you understand your interests and personality. On the other hand, it's possible to find some answers regarding your future venture just reading between the lines

4. Make a list with products and services you receive.
Evaluate what is good and bad to everyone. If you find something is bad, think how you could improve it. Please, give this evaluating process your undivided attention, and you will discover few starting points for your new business.

5. Make a list with products and services you need, but you can't find yet You'll be surprised at how many new ideas will rise in your head.

6. Make a list with what your friends and colleagues are saying they want or need. Their comments may inspire you to start a new service.

Before starting filling and evaluating the above list, think that many exciting businesses didn't even exist a few years ago. So try to be as creative as you can. You need to think out of the box, you need new pair of "glasses" in order to see potential business opportunities all around you.

But take care, a good idea doesn't automatically translate into a success business. There must be a market demand, I mean people willing to pay for your product or service.

The final advice. It's important to be clear about why you want to start a business, and what "success" would mean to you. You probably want to earn money. It's ok, but how much ? Or may be you need a personal status or to be recognized as an expert in certain field, but how high ?