I wasn’t feeling that well today so I had a sleep for two hours in the middle of the day. I am an entrepreneur so I can do that.
For years I didn’t use that word to describe myself because in Australia we sometimes consider it a bit wanky (am I allowed to say that? Oops, I just did). Tall poppy syndrome is alive and well so please don’t big note yourself with THAT word.
The irony is that many people aspire to be one, but then have difficulty calling themselves one.
Well I am grabbing the label and am proud to do so.
So what are the characteristics of these people who €organise and manage an enterprise or business, with considerable initiative and risk€?
1. They don’t care what others think.
Now I know what you may be thinking, that sociopaths also don’t care what other people think and that’s not necessarily a good thing!
However, what I am saying is that you should not be persuaded not to do something simply because you are trusting other people’s opinions more than your own – especially if their opinions are around something they have no expertise in whatsoever.
E.g Uncle Dave thinks I shouldn’t start my own business. He’s worked in government all his life and has never been in business, so is he the best person to consult around this?
2. They trust themselves.
If you don’t back yourself, how can you expect anyone else to? People who believe in themselves, their idea or their business – or all three – are very attractive and people are drawn to them and trust them. This is how they get backing, staff, clients and customers.
3. They don’t get put off by failure or rejection.
They get back on that horse really quickly. They learn from failure and build from failure. You often learn more from failure than from success and the road is never really well lit and smooth the whole way.
I also think that a few small failures can be part of a bigger success.
E.g I outsourced telemarking to fill a seminar once – small failure as I lost money and it wasn’t the best method to fill the room.
My learning:
€ Seminar wasn’t the best one ever done – small failure
€ Now know how to fill a room – big success
€ Now know when to use telemarketing so it works – big success
€ My seminars are pretty darn good these days as I learnt from first one – big success
€ People didn’t remember that first one was a bit ordinary and came to others – bonus
4. They get support around them.
Successful people don’t do it on their own. They have sounding boards, coaches and mentors. They feed off other people and use them to their advantage (and vice versa).
I have had many coaches and mentors over the years and coached loads of entrepreneurs. I love it as I get a hit of energy from being around them so it’s a win-win.
5. They get people to work for them and focus on important things.
Everything from a virtual assistant, to contractors, staff, interns€¦ the list is endless. They realise they are not good at everything, but more importantly, they realise that there are only 24 hours in a day and they need to spend those precious hours wisely to grow their business or enterprise.
6. They have a clear vision of what they are going for.
Entrepreneurs might not have their whole life mapped out but they know what’s important and begin with the end in mind. So if you have a service-based business for example, and you want to build it to employ others rather than doing it all yourself, then develop it that way from the beginning.
Don’t just hope that you grow enough so that one day you can €employ some people to help out.€ They would have a plan in place about how and when this could happen.
7. They make decisions quickly.
They don’t always get them right but at least they are moving. This is close to my own heart as there have been some times when I feel I should have acted sooner and just gone for it. It’s much easier to sit on things and not act but you don’t get the same results.
8. Have an entrepreneurial mindset.
They are not the worker bees. They are the queen bees.
I was brought up to only understand a worker bee mentality and it served me well for many years. I learnt a lot in my roles for various companies and got many opportunities to work overseas and have a good life. However, I now am an entrepreneur and have the freedom I have always wanted and a great life.
9. Move with the times. Or even before the times.
Entrepreneurs are risk takers and see openings in the market. They trust their instinct and know when to move. Richard Branson saw an opening for a lower priced, accessible airline with Virgin when many people thought it wouldn’t work.
10. They pursue what they are passionate about.
You are living and breathing your idea or business for at least five years so you need to be happy to talk about it for that long. If you can find something you are passionate about that aligns with your values and is viable, then go for it!