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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.
Sincerely,
Dianne Edgar
0431 480 795
dianne@AbundanceIsFreedom.com
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