Entrepreneurs have that entrepreneurial spirit that makes them true who they are.
But what is that spirit? What does it take to be an entrepreneur?
Wikipedia defines an entrepreneur as "a person who has possession of an enterprise, or venture, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome". There's some truth to that, but I'm looking for something more and in this post, I present you the five key characteristics and traits that the entrepreneurs have.
1. Entrepreneurs Believe That Success or Failure Lies within Their Personal Control or Influence
Entrepreneurs don't blame others or make excuses when they fail. An entrepreneurs know that everything they needs to succeed is within them already.
This doesn't mean that they do everything themselves, but they do find the way. And when you understand that anything you want is possible if YOU make it happen, you understand what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
An entrepreneur is a person who has decided to take control of his future... Daile Tucker, Are You An Entrepreneur?
2. Entrepreneurs Have an Endless Creative Need To Create Something New
Entrepreneurship is about start-ups. It's about creating something new and innovative. When that is done, entrepreneurs move on. They move on to improve what they have already done or start something new again, letting others continue on their previous "project".
Entrepreneurs passionately seek for new opportunities, new ideas. That's what keeps them going. When they see that new opportunity, or get that new idea about a product or a business, they put all their energy in pursuing that opportunity.
It's the dream and visions, innovation, that drives entrepreneurs to build. Build something new.
3. Entrepreneurs Are Willing To Take Risks in Order to Make It
Entrepreneurs are not afraid about failure. They take calculated risks. They are not controlled by their fears, but their passion instead. And if you are passionate about something, you are willing to take risks, fearlessly.
If your choices are based on fear, you will have to learn to banish those fears before you are true entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs listen to that little voice that tells all the things that can go wrong, but instead of letting the fear paralyze them, they look what they can do to minimize the potential harm.
By managing fear so that it doesn't become an obstacle, you are able to harness opportunity. Self-trust is paramount for risk-taking. Claudette Rowley, Harness Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
4. Entrepreneurs Fail
Entrepreneurs are not perfect. They fail, and they fail hard. They might drive their new business to the ground so hard that everyone around them will think they are gone.
But no, entrepreneurs take those hits, learn their lessons and start again. They get up when they are down, over and over again.
You can't stop an entrepreneur. An entrepreneur sees the opportunity, even in failure.
5. Entrepreneurs Take Massive Action
Entrepreneurs know that nothing will happen unless they do something about it. They know that they can't make their dreams into reality without taking action. And they take that action NOW.
Entrepreneurs don't wait for something to happen before they do something. They determine what they can do right now to take a step closer to their target, and they take that action right away.
And they take one action after another. MASSIVE action.
Massive action means that the entrepreneur won't let anything get on their way, they take action to remove those obstacles. Entrepreneurs start with the end in mind, and do everything that is needed to get there. One action at the time.
Is There an Entrepreneur in You?
If you have these five covered, you don't have to worry about how to spell the word.
You will find the way to do it, just like you find the way to make anything you want into reality.
And that's the entrepreneurial spirit.
What do you think -- is there an entrepreneur in you?
11 comments.
Absolutely love this post. So much of what makes an entrepreneur is not skill, but the willingness and desire to create and become what we are destined to be. Good inspiration.
.-= Nathan Hangen’s last blog ..When You Don’t Think You’re Good Enough =-.
In that case I must be an entrepreneur! Thanks!
.-= Mike CJ’s last blog ..11 Things to do after installing WordPress =-.
Wonderful post that describes the entrepreneurial spirit to the letter. I can totally relate to this, having lived it many times. This is what we do, go after it with the will and determination to make things happen.
Taking action and realizing that it’s really up to you the individual to succeed, no excuses.
Thanks for this post.
.-= Jimi Jones’s last blog ..Blogging Blunders – 16 Things That You Should Be Aware Of =-.
Entrepreneurs sometimes even misspell their email, causing their photos to fail to load. :-)
.-= Jimi Jones’s last blog ..Blogging Blunders – 16 Things That You Should Be Aware Of =-.
Heh, good one Jimi. You failed, but took the action right away to leave another comment :)
Pretty sure I passed that test. haha
I’m the product of both home schooling and 2 parents who’ve owned numerous businesses. I think I owe my entrepreneurial spirit to their training!! Thanks, Mom and Dad. :-)
I’d add a #6 to that: Entrepreneurs Don’t Retire. Sure, they may be very successful, and fully capable of retiring, maybe even at an early age. But, what makes them an entrepreneur is the drive to always be doing or creating something. I’m a firm believer that traditional retirement is boring and bad for one’s health… once the body realizes it no longer ‘needs’ to work, it slows and then stops. People who always have to be doing something will continue to create and enjoy life long after their counterparts have ‘retired.’
.-= Erica Mueller’s last blog ..Does Your Blog or Site Design Make You Happy? =-.
Very true about the retirement Erica. I don’t think that desire to control the future and to create something new never goes away. And no matter what age or situation, an entrepreneur never stops :)
Your posts are getting and better, Antti!
.-= Gordie Rogers’s last blog ..How To Put Your WordPress Blog On Autopilot And Spend Most Of Your Time At The Beach. =-.
Thanks Gordie. I was quite happy with this one myself too. But now the pressure is up for the upcoming posts :)
At first I was not aware of my entrepreneurship until I put on a blog. It was hard but something inside of me pushes me to go on. Despite the failures and setbacks I never succumb to giving up.
With those qualities, I know that I am an entrepreneur and no matter what happens I will climb my way to success. :-)
.-= Walter’s last blog ..The counsel of death =-.
Well I definitely meet those criteria especially 2 and 3. I think another one to add is that entrepreneurs never give up.
.-= Paula’s last blog ..How We Tripled Our Blog Traffic =-.