The traditional view of entrepreneurial-ism is that it is something people are born with. There are countless examples of people that started their first business while at high school and had the drive and determination to make their first million, but the time they left their teenage years. But is the entrepreneurial mindset really something that you either have or don’t have?
There is a broad range of personality types and characteristics that make for a great entrepreneurial mindset. But the idea that you can’t learn how to run a business or spot an awesome opportunity is just not accurate. There are plenty of skills you can learn if you want to become an entrepreneur which will do you a lot of favors, and it’s also possible to work on your mentality.
With this in mind, here are a few steps you can take to start developing the entrepreneurial mindset. And if you do plan on starting your own business, you will have more chance of success if you commit to some of the following ideas beforehand.
Know your limits
While entrepreneurs appear to know everything about running a business, the truth is somewhat different. The vast majority of successful business owners or investors understand their limits - they know what they are good at, and they know when to call for help. It’s possible to improve your weaknesses, too, just by educating yourself and working on them as much as possible.
Be a net worker
Entrepreneurs appear to be born net-workers, and highly confident, outgoing people. But are they really? The likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are renowned for their introverted personalities, for example. And, the reality is that it’s possible to teach yourself to get out there and network confidently no matter how shy or retiring you are right now. Don’t forget, you can network online now, so it’s a great starting point for those that prefer virtual communication to physical meetings. Start following the right people online first, and soak up how they are relating to others and growing their business. Follow the likes of Nicolas Livsit on LinkedIn or Biz Stone and Derek Sivers on Twitter, and you will soon start learning how to the pros engage with their audience and network online. You can also try starting local networking groups for small businesses in your community - it’s a great starting point for learning how to speak to people.
Have a passion
Finally, having a fire in your belly helps no end when you plan to start a business. You’ll need it to drive through the tough times and keep positive. You’ll also need it to attract, inspire, and excite prospective employees and team members. And finally, you’ll need to give yourself the energy to get the job done, even when it seems like the end is a lifetime away. Having passion is not necessarily something you can learn, of course - but you can make sure that you choose to work within an industry that ignites something in your soul.
