“Entrepreneurship is an unavoidable life calling pursued by those who are fortunate enough to take chances. [They are] optimistic enough to believe in themselves, aware enough to see problems around them, stubborn enough to keep going, and bold enough to act again and again. Entrepreneurship is not something you do because you have an idea. It’s about having the creativity to question, the strength to believe, and the courage to move.” – Jordan Fliegel
Entrepreneurs and the weight that the title carries, are both glorified and misunderstood. Even more elusive is the idea of what it truly takes to be someone considered “entrepreneurial”. Entrepreneurship isn’t a job position. Embodying entrepreneurial spirit is all about a way of being, and the right mindset. However, many successful entrepreneurs embody certain character traits and behaviors that can be used as a guideline. Not a guideline on how to become an entrepreneur like they are some mythical business beast, but on how to live your life.
Self-Awareness
Those who know who they truly are, are already half of the way there. Personal strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and biases are all essential to be aware of in yourself. Why do you do the things you do? Entrepreneurial endeavors have enough surprises along the path to success – who you actually are as a person should not be one of them. .
Listening Skills and Empathy
Entrepreneurs are problem solvers. Finding solutions to problems people don’t know they have is next to impossible without empathy. It’s important to be understanding of our fellow humans and their personal challenges. It’s too easy to miss opportunities when we are absorbed with what is only happening from our limited points of view.
Purpose, Passion, and Vision
Entrepreneurs are goal-oriented. What you want to achieve is never out of reach for the passionate and long-term thinker, regardless of the size of the goal and the amount of obstacles you might encounter.
Those who have the vision to find a purpose to dedicate themselves to, must then let the passion and excitement that comes from that purpose drive them forward. Be excited about your future success!
Don’t forget why self-awareness is crucial. Why do you want to be successful? Recalling those reasons will be vital for motivating yourself to keep moving forward, even when times get tough.
Persistence, Resilience, and Willpower
Times do get tough. Behind every news story or article that shares an entrepreneurs’ seemingly overnight successes, are an untold amount of sleepless nights filled with doubt, stress, confusion, and disappointment. Mistakes are natural. Hick-ups and set-backs are inevitable. The courage to continue to strive towards a goal regardless, is one of the biggest differences between those who succeed as entrepreneurs and those who fail.
Every time we learn from a mistake, or adapt after a potential setback, we gain willpower and resiliency. As resiliency and willpower grow, yesterday’s challenges become easier and don’t seem as daunting as they used to. Entrepreneurs find new ways to overcome what can seem like insurmountable obstacles, with relatively little difficulty.
Flexibility
Lofty goals aside, one of the biggest reasons many people become entrepreneurs, is to have the option to work how, and when, they want to.. This doesn’t mean that being an entrepreneur is just a walk down easy-street, it just means that work doesn’t always have to be a grind.
Entrepreneurs can successfully find a balance in their work-life relationship. Sometimes, finding this balance can be a long-term effort. Early on, many entrepreneurs work seven days a week, with long hours – pouring their time into their business. This type of schedule can still be considered a work-life balance. It just depends on your priorities, and knowing what is best for you and those close to you. With time, this initial workload will decrease, and the flexibility to work whenever, and wherever you want, becomes a reality.
Autonomy
Someone embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, thrives on being able to do things their way. The weight of the fact that success and failure lies on their shoulders is no concern to them. If anything, they know that this is the only way to success. Passing the buck of responsibility on to someone else can be a roadblock on the way to your goals, and takes away the ability to chart your own course.
There is no map for entrepreneurial success. If your idea is innovative, there is no one to show or tell you how to get to where you want to go. The only person who knows where you’re going, and how you’re going to get there, is you.
Conclusion
Being an entrepreneur isn’t about business savvy, or even technical skills. What makes an entrepreneur is the ability to embody the right combination of mindsets and ethics that will carry them to success, despite all else. If becoming an entrepreneur for the benefits of financial freedom and work life balance and the ability to be your own boss, make sure to consider these points before you begin.