Are you wondering about how to become an entrepreneur?
Most entrepreneurs are simply born this way (this doesn’t mean that you can’t learn to be one of them, too). This is why there are so many millionaires and even billionaires who have never graduated from college. Some of them haven’t even finished their high school education (billionaire Richard Branson is a bright example). These are the so-called natural entrepreneurs. Even though you can learn to be one of them, most of the characteristics common for so many entrepreneurs are inside you when you come to this world. I came across an interesting article on the matter, written by Grant Cardone, who is not only a successful businessman himself but also has been studying entrepreneurs for more than 25 years. This is a pretty big period of time, in which he has found that the following 12 characteristics are really common for them. According to him, if someone has most of these signs, the chances for him/her to be a natural entrepreneur are pretty big. You can go through the signs and determine how they refer to you:
12 Signs For Entrepreneurial Spirit Inside You
1. Hate the Status Quo – It doesn’t make sense to you that something has been done the time-honored way with no explanation why. You are not someone who wants to just go through the motions or sit by idly. Nor do you like following the pack.
2. Easily Bored – You find yourself easily bored, and others start viewing you as a problem. But nothing is wrong with you except that you are bored with activities that aren’t up to your abilities and aren’t challenging. That’s why you hated most of the classes you ever attended. Think Bill Gates who dropped out of college to become one of the richest men in the world.
3. Fired from Jobs – You’re too creative for your own good when it comes to working for others, and you may have some history, as I do, of losing jobs. Being just a cog in the wheel is very difficult for you because you want to create something others can be inspired by and contribute to.
4. Labeled a Rebel – You know that greatness resides outside the lines of conformity and don’t think that policies, laws, and regulations apply to you. You have been described as a rebel and rule breaker and would defy gravity if you could.
5. Resist Authority – You have a lifelong record of resisting authority from your parents, teachers, and bosses. You don’t go along with the agreed-upon norms of the group or community you work and live in.
6. Ready to Improve Everything – You always see how you could do things better. In addition, you are opinionated and freely give your two cents about your better way of doing things–even when you’re not asked.
7. Bad at Making Small Talk – You have difficulty making the kind of small talk that so many people get comfort from. This social pattern of relationship and rapport building seems like a waste of time to you and makes you uncomfortable.
8. Bullied in Your Youth – You may have been heavily criticized, picked on, and even bullied as a child or teenager. This has caused you to be driven to excel and to prove to the world that you are indeed a force to be reckoned with.
9. Obsessive – You may have been labeled obsessive/compulsive because when you get started on something you have difficulty letting go. Don’t let anyone convince you that this is a disease or deficiency. All of the great entrepreneurs become completely immersed in their vision. Howard Schultz stuck with Starbucks even when his family tried to persuade him not to.
10. Scared to Go Solo – The entrepreneur in you is scared of going out on your own—and also terrified of not doing so. This fear is so common in our society because we’ve been conditioned to think that entrepreneurship is much riskier than getting a “good job.” The reality is there is instability in both.
11. Unable to Unwind – You can’t go to sleep at night because you can’t turn your thoughts off. An idea may even manifest itself in your dreams. The next morning you find yourself still consumed with that idea, distracting you from the job you’re supposed to be doing.
12. Don’t Fit the Norm – You have always been a bit uncomfortable in your own skin. Until you get used to the idea that you are in fact different from most people, it could prove to be a problem–or exactly the motivation you need to acknowledge the entrepreneur screaming to get out.
Having these entrepreneurial qualities doesn’t make you automatically an entrepreneur, but you have a really good chance to be one of them.
You can see some more interesting articles about entrepreneurship in our Entrepreneur School section. Please share this article, if you enjoyed it!
This article was originally published on Entrepreneur
About being an entrepreneur…
Being an entrepreneur is a journey that requires both courage and hard work. It takes a motivated person to build a successful business, and while there are many potential pitfalls that can be encountered along the way, the rewards can be great.
First and foremost, entrepreneurs need to have a vision for what they hope to achieve. It can take time for an idea to come to life, so developing a strong business plan is a must. This plan should include the desired outcome of the venture, the resources necessary to make it happen, potential partners, and a timeline for completion.
Next, entrepreneurs need to find a way to fund their businesses. This could be through investments from angel investors, crowdfunding, or a loan from a bank. It’s important to understand the different options and choose one that fits the needs of the business.
Once the business is funded, the real work begins. This includes building a team, implementing internal processes, creating a marketing plan, and doing everything that needs to be done to ensure the venture is successful.
Entrepreneurs will also need to be prepared to face an ever-changing landscape. Technologies, customer behaviors, and trends can all affect a business and require entrepreneurs to be agile and adjust their strategy as needed.
Finally, entrepreneurs need to stay motivated. Starting a business can be a rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs. It’s important to stay focused on the end goal and take pride in every victory, no matter how small.
Being an entrepreneur can be a deeply rewarding experience, however, it can also be a difficult one. With hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck, a successful venture can create a secure future for everyone involved.
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