The answer to survival lies in teaching someone how to think about their situation creatively. I’ve had many people come into my office through the years with similar questions. Here’s the kind of conversation I have with people in this situation:
So, you’re thinking of starting a business, but you don’t know what, and you don’t have any capital 
to use to start it. Let’s go through your resources. What do you own? List EVERYTHING. If you have an old violin, I need to know about it. Is there anything on that list you can sell or trade? Is there anything on that list that’s reminding you of talents, abilities, or experiences you may have forgotten you had, or perhaps overlook? Look at each thing on the list, even things like the kids’ toys. How can you use it to generate money a.k.a start your own buisness? If you have a rake, you can rake someone’s lawn. Don’t stop until you have something you can do to make money beside every thing you own.
Next do a skills assessment. List all the things you’ve ever done for entertainment, hobby, job, or recreation. What skills or abilities did you acquire as a result, or what skills or abilities were required to do these things? How do you spend your time? What skills or abilities does that require? Where do you go? What do you do? Skills and abilities required? How can you use those to start your own business?
There are many other factors that enter into who you are, what your resources are, and what you’re capable of. Where do you live, where have you lived, what other cultures or places do you know about? How can you use that information to help others? Perhaps you know a language and can translate. How far can you travel to do something for money? How will you cover that distance? If you have a car, you might do grocery shopping for people. If you have a bicycle, you can’t do something that requires you to haul large tools – or you’ll have to get creative about how to make them stay on the bicycle. If you then think that perhaps you need a cart to pull behind your bicycle, making and selling some small cart that can be pulled behind a bicycle would be a good business.
When you’re trying to solve a problem, never say “can’t.” Instead ask, “How can I . . ?” Never ask the question, “Can I?” Ask, “How can I . . .?” Listen – learn to listen for needs. If you hear someone say, “I wish . . ” figure out a way to make their wishes come true – for a price, of course. Also understand that everybody has a field of expertise and that somebody needs that expertise.
Life is a journey
Life is a journey. At the end of that journey lies death. Enjoy the journey. There’s a difference between living and being alive. Live – really live. Remember that the difference between thrive and survive is a thought process.
