The truth is that successful entrepreneurs share certain traits. These traits are absolutely necessary, considering the challenges that all entrepreneurs face. It sounds simple - see a need, fill a need. The process of actually filling that need can be excruciating and requires a specific kind of person to prosper as a businessman.
1. They're confident
Ambitious and successful entrepreneurs are self-confident. They need to be able to believe in their plans and the possibility of success. There's a lot of negativity out there and to succeed, you need to be able to stick to your guns despite all the random voices telling you that you'll never make it.
2. They have a definite goal
Without a real goal, you'll have trouble creating concrete plans. While the goal and the plan to achieve it will probably change as time goes by, what's important is that you always have one.
3. They stay active
Knowledge without action is useless. It doesn't matter how many degrees you have or how much time you spent studying - if you don't use it consistently and effectively, you'll never get anywhere. Do keep in mind that your actions require thought. It can be tempting to think that staying busy is equivalent to staying active. The key difference is that the latter has direction.
4. They take initiative
Entrepreneurs do not wait for someone else to test the waters. They see a need, they fill the need. You see something that needs fixing in your business, you fix it immediately. Don't wait for the problem to get bigger. Nip things in the bud.
5. They do what they love
Entrepreneurs go into uncharted waters, seeing a need that no one else may have. Predictably, this can quickly become a chore, as some people can end up facing day after day of negativity, with people telling them that they can't do it. But if they love what they do, all that negativity can get washed away by their enthusiasm and love of the job. Even the grind is no match for your passion.
6. They have self-control
An entrepreneur is a leader. No successful business gets anywhere without people, and if you have no self-control, you'll never become a good leader. You'll give in to your impulses, your anger, and other manner of problems, and you'll end up alienating or losing the respect of your staff.
7.They go above and beyond
The absolute bare minimum that a businessman has to do is to perform better than his competition. The truly great, once their competition has bit their dust, look to compete against themselves, to go beyond what they've accomplished. If they do not do so, they and their business may end up stagnating and eventually failing.
8. They have the ability to read between the lines
Smart entrepreneurs are going to hear a lot of things about them and their business. Every action, successful or failed, will merit a response from somebody. They'll need to be able to find the kernel of truth present in every statement, to find the information they need. Are they giving constructive feedback or just venting? Is the customer legitimately angry about the product or are they looking for a free deal?
9. They are charismatic
It can be tempting to think that you can sally forth into the world of entrepreneurship, a one-man army powering your way to success. The fact is that you can't. You need partners, employees, customers and clients, and more. This is especially important at the beginning, when you're a new entrepreneur and you're starting to build a reputation. People are more likely to make deals with you if you're likable.
10. They are resilient and persistent
Things will go wrong, but successful entrepreneurs know that. Instead of letting it get them down, they will power through it, solving the problem and making sure that the do everything in their power so it doesn't happen again. They view failure as a way to learn. That a mistake happened is not nearly important as learning from it.
If you have these traits, cultivate them. Make them a habit. If you don't, it's time to look in the mirror and figure out if you really want to succeed. Should you find that you want to, it's time to change and make yourself a better entrepreneur.
© Zawya BusinessPulse 2014
1. They're confident
Ambitious and successful entrepreneurs are self-confident. They need to be able to believe in their plans and the possibility of success. There's a lot of negativity out there and to succeed, you need to be able to stick to your guns despite all the random voices telling you that you'll never make it.
2. They have a definite goal
Without a real goal, you'll have trouble creating concrete plans. While the goal and the plan to achieve it will probably change as time goes by, what's important is that you always have one.
3. They stay active
Knowledge without action is useless. It doesn't matter how many degrees you have or how much time you spent studying - if you don't use it consistently and effectively, you'll never get anywhere. Do keep in mind that your actions require thought. It can be tempting to think that staying busy is equivalent to staying active. The key difference is that the latter has direction.
4. They take initiative
Entrepreneurs do not wait for someone else to test the waters. They see a need, they fill the need. You see something that needs fixing in your business, you fix it immediately. Don't wait for the problem to get bigger. Nip things in the bud.
5. They do what they love
Entrepreneurs go into uncharted waters, seeing a need that no one else may have. Predictably, this can quickly become a chore, as some people can end up facing day after day of negativity, with people telling them that they can't do it. But if they love what they do, all that negativity can get washed away by their enthusiasm and love of the job. Even the grind is no match for your passion.
6. They have self-control
An entrepreneur is a leader. No successful business gets anywhere without people, and if you have no self-control, you'll never become a good leader. You'll give in to your impulses, your anger, and other manner of problems, and you'll end up alienating or losing the respect of your staff.
7.They go above and beyond
The absolute bare minimum that a businessman has to do is to perform better than his competition. The truly great, once their competition has bit their dust, look to compete against themselves, to go beyond what they've accomplished. If they do not do so, they and their business may end up stagnating and eventually failing.
8. They have the ability to read between the lines
Smart entrepreneurs are going to hear a lot of things about them and their business. Every action, successful or failed, will merit a response from somebody. They'll need to be able to find the kernel of truth present in every statement, to find the information they need. Are they giving constructive feedback or just venting? Is the customer legitimately angry about the product or are they looking for a free deal?
9. They are charismatic
It can be tempting to think that you can sally forth into the world of entrepreneurship, a one-man army powering your way to success. The fact is that you can't. You need partners, employees, customers and clients, and more. This is especially important at the beginning, when you're a new entrepreneur and you're starting to build a reputation. People are more likely to make deals with you if you're likable.
10. They are resilient and persistent
Things will go wrong, but successful entrepreneurs know that. Instead of letting it get them down, they will power through it, solving the problem and making sure that the do everything in their power so it doesn't happen again. They view failure as a way to learn. That a mistake happened is not nearly important as learning from it.
If you have these traits, cultivate them. Make them a habit. If you don't, it's time to look in the mirror and figure out if you really want to succeed. Should you find that you want to, it's time to change and make yourself a better entrepreneur.
© Zawya BusinessPulse 2014
