Have you ever wondered whether you have the mindset of an entrepreneur?
Did you sell lemonade to the neighborhood as a kid just for a fun summer activity? Or did you realize that making money IS fun, and get the entrepreneurial bug early on?
It can be hard to tell if you have an entrepreneurial mindset if you don't know many entrepreneurs yourself. After all, so many of us are raised looking at traditional, consistent, and “safe” jobs. And those definitely have their benefits, don't get me wrong. But do you have the potential to put that mindset of an entrepreneur to work for you in the long run?
The mindset of an entrepreneur is fueled by a blend of all of the following:
- Creativity
- Open-Mindness
- Ambition
- Positivity
- Innovativeness
- Resiliency
- Passion
- Accountability
If you show any or all of these qualities, you could very well be on your way to owning your own business because you do have that entrepreneurial spirit.
Entrepreneurs Need The Mindset AND The Skills
Along with the mindset of an entrepreneur, a potential business owner also needs the capability to transition from mindset into reality. Implementation of all of the big ideas is an equally, if not more important, piece of the puzzle.
For many entrepreneur dreamers, that's where the largest obstacle lies. Often, “big thinkers” spend more time thinking than actually doing.
Luckily, there are easy solutions around implementation. Your entrepreneur mindset can make you the big-picture person. All you need is to surround yourself with a quality team to help fill in the gaps.
That said, it means as an entrepreneur, you also need to have strong leadership and communication skills in addition to the right mindset.
Shifting Your Mindset To Become an Entrepreneur
Switching away from the tried-and-true, safe, reliable 9:00 to 5:00 grind takes a certain kind of person. There is risk, hustle and a lot of unknown ahead.
Bringing out your inner entrepreneurial spirit may not be the easiest path, but it achievable. Even more-so, it can be the most rewarding experience of your life.
However, there are several steps you need to take before forging head first into business ownership.
- Get clear – Getting clear on what it is you want to achieve is an integral first step. It is not as simple as coming up with an idea and writing it down. You have to write down your goals to keep focused as an entrepreneur. Without a team in place or a boss to hold you accountable, goal setting is more than a recommendation. It truly is mandatory to succeed.
- Create a plan – Once you are clear on your goals for your new business, you have to create a plan for success. Draft a roadmap describing how you will achieve your primary business goal in smaller steps. Then, break the steps down even further and give yourself deadlines. Yes, just like homework in grade school.
- Take action – It may seem obvious, but somehow it's where I always get hung up first. Stop thinking about your plans for months and years and finally just take some action forward! Declare to a close friend or fellow entrepreneur what your action steps are. Having an accountability group is a huge asset.
- Delegate – When you start your first business, you are going to have a lot of knowledge gaps. In fact, you will likely realize there is more you DON'T know than what you actually do know. That's part of the journey! Don't be afraid to ask for help or delegate tasks. Allow family members and friends to help. This could mean as a small business task, or even just by taking more home responsibility while you learn all you need to know about your new business endeavor.
- Letting go – Sometimes in order to create something new, we need to let go of something old. In order to clear the path to creating a new business, something else will have to fall by the wayside. Your home may need to be a little cluttered or less clean. You may have to let go of a favorite sport or activity for a while, but it is well worth it in the end.
Mom Has The Last Word
Have you been constantly thinking about out-of-the-box inventions or solutions to help others? Or perhaps you have been sitting at your dreary desk job dreaming about doing something more.
It may be a difficult road to travel, but having an entrepreneurial mindset is a gift. Once you open it, you will be happy that you did.
