Entrepreneurs are something like a whole new race; a whole new biological species. Though they are just like any other person, there’s something special in all of them. Perhaps, it’s their intelligence, perhaps their desire to be successful and change the world. I don’t think, however, that this is a divine process. It takes several things humans are perfectly capable of – ideas, efforts, perseverance, work and discipline. Are you a would-be entrepreneur dreaming of corporate meetings and expensive holiday destinations? Here is a list of 10 things to try before becoming an entrepreneur.
Come up with ideas
Before you even start a business, you need a great idea. Entrepreneurs are full of them. So are writers. What’s the difference? Writers need as many ideas as possible. Entrepreneurs should focus on one concept only and do what it takes to accomplish it. If you follow several different paths, the chances of reaching the final destination are slim. Focus on each step every day and finish milestone after milestone. The plan is not working? That’s fine, find a new one.
Money management
Money is the most necessary evils in this world. It is not the essence of life, but it’s a nice asset to have at hand, especially if you want to be a successful businessman. Doing business means to a certain extent money management. Perhaps, you have noticed that the first thing big companies do when facing financial problems is adjusting and revising their money policies and management.
Wake up early
If you think that sleeping late will bring you millions or make you the next Bill Gates, you are mistaken. Why don’t you wake up early and use all the power and energy coming with the new day? Not only. You can have a nice breakfast and prepare your daily to-do list. Also, you can do some refreshing exercise and meditate a little bit. This will definitely prepare both mind and soul for the challenges to come.
Solve problems
Most people are good if not great at “locating” problems. Successful entrepreneurs are good at solving problems. Every problem a man faces is a potential opportunity. Why? Difficult situations make us think and use our full potential. So, sit down and make a plan – what’s the problem, where does it come from, what are its characteristics? And a final word, best businesses do not provide products, they provide solutions.
Read, read, read
Let’s imagine you have set up a successful business. Do you want to grow and expand? Do you want to be one step ahead of your opponents and competitors? A successful entrepreneur should read all the time and educate themselves all the time – what are the new breakthroughs, some new legislation, the right economic investment and political issues. What are the latest gadgets and how can you implement them and improve your business? In this digital era, everything changes so fast and anyone should adjust to the new realities. Invest in your business by investing in yourself. Below, you can find some three books you might find interesting:
“Business Adventures” by John Brooks
“Benjamin Franklin: An American Life” by Walter Isaacson
Know your strengths
Yes, you might not be the greatest of mathematician and so what? You can be great, for example, at convincing great mathematicians to work for you. Or you can be a terrific leader and motivate the people you work with. Do not focus on the things you are not a master of. Know your strengths and weaknesses and use them wisely. Begin with asking yourself and then ask other people what they think your most special asset is. Develop this skill or quality and you will reap the fruits.
Value your time
Time is the most precious asset we all have. Unfortunately, it’s non-renewable. When used properly, it can give you the impression of a 26-hour day. Here comes another aspect: organization. If you are disciplined enough, you can definitely increase the time you spend working on your idea, business or anything you are good at. Last but not least, it’s always about quality not quantity.
Act, don’t talk
It’s no secret that to become an entrepreneur, you must have some really decent ideas. We discussed this already. Surely, you have to be a good talker if you want to convince other people to believe in your concept. Or to talk them into investing or buying the things you sell. But what does really make other people trust you? Actions. Words might be beautiful, but if a person does not act people will not take them seriously.
Be tech-savvy
Well, not necessarily. But in this digital era, most processes and their successful completion is assisted by various technology and apps. Virtually, they can save the day. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Buffer -Social media is a significant part of contemporary businesses. Don’t waste time and let this app do the rest for you.
Workflow – this is a great tool to manage the most important non-renewable resource – time.
Mint – it’s an app that helps you manage your finances, especially if this is not your strongest quality.
Failure is part of success
God, you know it! Everyone knows that, it’s been said and repeated at least one million times. But it’s true. Failure is not an antonym for success; it’s an inseparable part of it. Entrepreneurs know this very well and can give you many examples of how they failed. Maybe it’s not the correct verb. How they found a solution.
Now that you have had a taste of this lifestyle, decide for yourself if this is your game. Would it be shameful if you didn’t become the next billionaire? No, not at all. It would be shameful, however, to think that becoming a successful businessman is a sword with one edge. On the contrary, it’s a multifaceted venture, which requires various personal and professional qualities.
