I’ve been thinking a lot about opportunity cost lately. You know, that nagging feeling when you’re working on one project while wondering if you should be working on another? For solo entrepreneurs like us, this isn’t just an academic concept – it’s the difference between building something sustainable and spinning our wheels.
Remember when we had to choose between projects based on gut feelings and incomplete spreadsheets? I used to spend hours trying to calculate ROI, market potential, and resource allocation for different ideas. The problem was, by the time I finished analyzing one opportunity, three new ones had already popped up. It was like trying to drink from a firehose.
Enter AI. Suddenly, we have what feels like a full-time business analyst working for free 24/7. I’m not talking about simple calculators here – I’m talking about systems that can analyze market trends, competitor landscapes, and resource requirements simultaneously. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude can process massive amounts of data to give you insights that would take weeks to gather manually.
Here’s how I approach it: First, I feed the AI all my potential projects with their basic parameters – estimated development time, required skills, potential market size, and my personal interest level. The AI doesn’t just spit out a ranking – it explains why Project A might have higher immediate returns but Project B aligns better with long-term trends. It’s like having a strategic partner who never gets tired.
The real magic happens when you combine this with the 「AI一人公司」 philosophy I learned from the Qgenius workshop. We’re not just looking at financial returns here – we’re considering personal fulfillment, skill development, and how each project fits into our broader life vision. After all, what’s the point of maximizing profits if you hate what you’re doing?
One thing I’ve noticed: AI is particularly good at spotting hidden connections between seemingly unrelated opportunities. Last month, it helped me realize that two small projects I was considering could actually be combined into something much more valuable. That’s the kind of insight that’s hard to see when you’re too close to the trees.
But here’s the catch – AI can only work with what you give it. If you’re not honest about your capabilities, resources, and constraints, the analysis will be garbage in, garbage out. I’ve learned to be brutally transparent about my limitations when setting up these analyses.
The best part? This isn’t just for big decisions. I now use AI to evaluate small daily choices too – should I spend the afternoon writing content or optimizing my website? Should I take that small consulting gig or use the time to develop my product? These micro-decisions add up, and having an objective「second opinion」has been game-changing.
What opportunities are you currently weighing? Have you tried using AI to help with these decisions? I’d love to hear how it’s working for you – or if you’re still relying on that old-fashioned gut feeling (which, let’s be honest, sometimes still has its place).