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What Qualities Are the
True Tokens of Successful Entrepreneurs?
 You've
probably seen the bumper stickers that say "Lead, Follow,
or Get Out of the Way." While the bumper sticker may
be directed at the dreamer doing 10 miles less than the speed
limit in the left lane, it also applies to everyone's life.
Most people are followers, but others are leaders. They want
to be at the helm of their own ship, charting the course that
their lives will take.
They are
most likely ENTREPRENEURS - people who have what it takes
to start and succeed at their own businesses.
What
qualities are the true tokens of successful entrepreneurs?
Thousands of books and articles have been written on the subject.
There is even a Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul
and an annual event called "Entrepalooza" at the
University of Michigan, where successful business owners relate
their secrets. It turns out, though, that just about everyone
who takes on the challenge of owning their own business has
certain qualities.
1. They
have a dream. It can be anything from wanting to make a
living from a hobby to wanting to find a way to spend more time
with their families. Along with their dreams comes the foresight
to see a need for something or a problem that needs solving,
and finding a way to supply that need or solve that problem.
Instead of saying, "Someone will probably invent a way
to make a profit from that," the entrepreneur says,
"I'M going to be the one who finds a way to make a profit
from that."
 2.
They visualize success. Lots of us have thoughts and ideas
of how we'd like our lives to change. We say, "If only
I could find a decent job," or "If only I could
lose 20 pounds." Entrepreneurs don't just think about
it. They see it. They spend a great deal of time "seeing
success." If the goal is to spend more time with family,
the entrepreneur sees himself or herself working at home,
hears one of the children say "Mom, I'm so glad
you don't go away to work anymore," and feels
what reaching the goal is like. This "positive thinking"
technique has been around for a long time-and it still works.
It helps create faith in yourself, and that is a prerequisite
for anyone even thinking about starting a business. They never
stop using this visualization process: It keeps goals shining
brightly, and for the entrepreneur, there are always new goals
to reach for.
3. They're
good listeners and observers. Aki Morita, who founded Sony,
got the idea for the infamous Sony Walkman when he got tired
of listening to teenagers blasting music from their boom-boxes.
He knew he wasn't the only one bothered by the noise. By listening
to what people are saying and observing what they're doing (or
not doing), the entrepreneur identifies what people want. Lots
of people.
They also
listen to advice. While it's great to have people cheering you
on, entrepreneurs find a wealth of knowledge in the doom-and-gloomers.
They present the possible downsides, providing the business
owner with some new ideas to think about as they develop their
business plan. They read books and listen to motivational CDs.
They stay psyched up for success by learning new skills and
staying on top of technology.
 4.
They're good organizers. Once a new entrepreneur develops
an idea and begins visualizing a goal, he or she makes a plan.
They know they can't just plunge in and hope for the best. They
do research, find out what others in similar businesses are
doing, and find mentors who can help them figure out what steps
they need to take to begin reaching for their goals and dreams.
They find out how much money they need, what kind of equipment
is essential, and if they will need to hire people or can go
it alone. Ultimately, they consider all of the information and
advice they've gathered and make their own decisions, taking
the best ideas from each source.
5. They're
focused. Once the course is charted, the work begins. There
will be phone calls, e-mails, and paperwork. There will be days
when nothing goes right, and when obstacles seem insurmountable.
But because entrepreneurs are, above all, problem solvers who
love a challenge, they have the courage and perseverance to
keep going. They bounce back from failure like super-balls hitting
the sidewalk. They keep their organizational plans in mind,
and keep striving to achieve each step, one at a time.
6. They
don't believe failure is an option. To be successful in
your own business, you must believe 100% that you will succeed
at what you are doing. You must have faith in your own ability
to make things happen. You must believe that your idea is really
a good one that will help other people or make the world better
in some way. Sometimes, it simply takes guts-like the quarterback
who decides to run the ball and, against all odds, scrambles
over the pileup and scores a touchdown.
7. They
have self-discipline. Running your own business doesn't
mean that you can mosey down to your home office at 10 AM, go
to lunch at noon, and take the afternoon off. Just like at a
regular job, entrepreneurs work hard. In fact, many put in more
hours and work harder than they did when they were someone's
employee. But it's easier to put in the extra hour or two when
you have a passion for what you are doing, a roadmap for where
you're going, and the confidence that you will achieve success.
Are you tired of working for someone else? Do YOU have what
it takes to be an entrepreneur? If you believe in yourself,
fill in the form below for free information about starting your
own business.
Sue DeBrule
1-800-606-0613
Email
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