You Probably Already Know Enough to Make Something Useful

I want to find something small I could make, teach or offer from what I already know, at work or outside it. It could be a physical product, a class, a service, an event or something digital. I don't think I know anything special, so help me see it.

Find out these things. Each has a purpose. I may not be able to answer the direct version, so start with easier, concrete questions that get to the same place:
- what people at work (now or before) keep asking me about (purpose: proof someone already wants it; try “what did someone ask you about this week?”)
- what friends, family or neighbors come to me for (purpose: ideas from outside my job, which are mine to sell; try “who calls you when they're planning something or something breaks?”)
- anything I've made, for myself or by hand, like a checklist, plan, recipe, routine or something I make (purpose: often a first draft of something to sell; try “what do you make or keep that people ask about?”)
- what's obvious to me but hard for others, and who's stuck there (purpose: where people will pay for help; try “what do you wince watching other people do?”)

How I'd like you to work:
- I'm on my phone, so start straight away with your first question. No introduction.
- Ask one short question at a time and wait for my answer. Say in a few words why you're asking.
- Start with the easier, concrete version of each question. Only ask the direct version if I seem ready.
- When it helps, give me 2 to 4 numbered choices, with "something else" last, so I can reply with a number.
- If an answer is vague, ask for one real example instead of guessing. Use what I've already told you, and skip anything you can work out.
- Stop once you have enough to do a good job. That's usually three or four questions. If I already know my topic, build on it and skip the rest. If I say "just do it", make your best guess and tell me what you assumed.
- Write for a phone screen: plain words, short lines, no tables, no jargon.

When you have enough, give me:
- 3 small ideas I could make or offer soon. For each: a name, who it's for, the problem it solves, what it is, and the thing I said that it came from. Match the form to the idea: one item or a small batch, one class or workshop, one service for a few people, or a short guide, checklist or template. At least one should come from outside my job, and at least one shouldn't be digital, unless I've said I only want digital.
- Which one you'd start with and why, in two sentences.
- One sentence I could send to two people who'd use it, to ask if it would have helped them and if they'd pay for it.

Don't suggest a course, an app, an online store, renting a space or anything that needs a website to start. A market table or a class in a borrowed room is fine. Don't build on my employer's, church's or clients' private documents, and flag any idea that could clash with my current job: I can sell my own experience and how I explain things, not their materials. Nothing where I'd give someone personal legal, medical or financial advice. Sharing general how-to from my own experience is fine, and point out any permit or rule I should check. If my know-how comes from volunteer or community work, suggest who'd pay without charging the people I help.

A filled-in example

These are illustrative details. Use your own information.

I want to find something small I could make, teach or offer from what I already know, at work or outside it. It could be a physical product, a class, a service, an event or something digital. I don't think I know anything special, so help me see it.

Find out these things. Each has a purpose. I may not be able to answer the direct version, so start with easier, concrete questions that get to the same place:
- what people at work (now or before) keep asking me about (purpose: proof someone already wants it; try “what did someone ask you about this week?”)
- what friends, family or neighbors come to me for (purpose: ideas from outside my job, which are mine to sell; try “who calls you when they're planning something or something breaks?”)
- anything I've made, for myself or by hand, like a checklist, plan, recipe, routine or something I make (purpose: often a first draft of something to sell; try “what do you make or keep that people ask about?”)
- what's obvious to me but hard for others, and who's stuck there (purpose: where people will pay for help; try “what do you wince watching other people do?”)

How I'd like you to work:
- I'm on my phone, so start straight away with your first question. No introduction.
- Ask one short question at a time and wait for my answer. Say in a few words why you're asking.
- Start with the easier, concrete version of each question. Only ask the direct version if I seem ready.
- When it helps, give me 2 to 4 numbered choices, with "something else" last, so I can reply with a number.
- If an answer is vague, ask for one real example instead of guessing. Use what I've already told you, and skip anything you can work out.
- Stop once you have enough to do a good job. That's usually three or four questions. If I already know my topic, build on it and skip the rest. If I say "just do it", make your best guess and tell me what you assumed.
- Write for a phone screen: plain words, short lines, no tables, no jargon.

When you have enough, give me:
- 3 small ideas I could make or offer soon. For each: a name, who it's for, the problem it solves, what it is, and the thing I said that it came from. Match the form to the idea: one item or a small batch, one class or workshop, one service for a few people, or a short guide, checklist or template. At least one should come from outside my job, and at least one shouldn't be digital, unless I've said I only want digital.
- Which one you'd start with and why, in two sentences.
- One sentence I could send to two people who'd use it, to ask if it would have helped them and if they'd pay for it.

Don't suggest a course, an app, an online store, renting a space or anything that needs a website to start. A market table or a class in a borrowed room is fine. Don't build on my employer's, church's or clients' private documents, and flag any idea that could clash with my current job: I can sell my own experience and how I explain things, not their materials. Nothing where I'd give someone personal legal, medical or financial advice. Sharing general how-to from my own experience is fine, and point out any permit or rule I should check. If my know-how comes from volunteer or community work, suggest who'd pay without charging the people I help.

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HOW IT GOES (a made-up example)
Claude: What did someone ask you about this week, at work or outside it? (What people already ask for is the easiest place to start.)
You: A new nurse asked how I give handovers so fast.
Claude: What do friends or neighbors come to you for? 1. Cooking 2. Planning 3. Fixing things 4. Something else
You: 1, meals around night shifts
…two more short questions, then three ideas, starting with a Saturday cooking class for shift workers with a printed plan to take home.