What wouldn’t be great about the life of an entrepreneur? They’re some of the most hardworking, fearless people out there with flexible lifestyles and exciting careers. Many are industry leaders and experts in their fields, but deep down, they are naturally inclined towards this career due to attributes they can’t quite shake. Go ahead and discover if the entrepreneur lifestyle is the right fit for you.
1. You’re passionate
You have a strong internal desire to carry out plans that set your soul on fire. You might even feel like you can’t stop thinking about achieving the ideas you carry inside of you. Anytime you shy away from the subject of your passion, it comes barreling back to remind you not to ignore it. If this passion sounds familiar— entrepreneurship might be the answer.
2. You’re willing to adapt
Mark Wiseman, a former Chair Executive of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, investment chair of BlackRock, and business executive gives future entrepreneurs this advice: “If you’re unwilling to evolve, you’re likely going to get eaten alive.” When you can’t go right, try left. When that doesn’t work, pivot. You have to be comfortable with change and morphing your ideas to evolve with your customers if you want success. That doesn’t mean taking away the integrity of your brand, but you should be confident with adaptations.
3. You fall but get right back up
Sujan Patel says it straight, many aspiring entrepreneurs “never say die.” There is no option but to continue. If you hear the words no, or something fails, you take that into account. Then you head right back up to the drawing board to work even harder for a new answer. You know that the challenges you face in your life and small business are crucial to achieving a career of the highest caliber.
4. You take risks— with clarity
When it comes to taking risks, you’re all in. You know that to get somewhere, you have to be willing to put yourself on the line. This means feeling uncomfortable and pushing through anyway. But you also understand that there is a fine line between outrageous and smart risks. You know you must be somewhere in between. It’s the perfect balance between rationality and irrationality.
5. You’re analytical
As an avid analyzer, you look at numbers from start to finish. This means you keep track of your money well. Looking at things like last year’s expenses, possible income trajectory, and financial news. Wiseman, an international investor, says that he doesn’t stop looking at the stock market. Wiseman shows us that this type of consistent analytical nature is the dividing factor between successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs.
6. You take advice from experts
Yes, you may be headstrong, but you know when to let that trait go to get helpful advice. Business owners must listen to experts and accept that it isn’t possible to know the best solution to everything. Hearing out advice from others is a successful trait that heads of companies find to be valuable. This advice fosters business relationships and communication beyond the confinements of a business meeting.
7. You’re good at understanding others
If you’re empathetic, or able to put yourself in other’s shoes, that’s a great cue that you’d make a good entrepreneur. This skill transcends into the business world because you can think about what consumers want from your business. By being able to understand their needs and desires, you set up a structure that can address them effectively.
8. You find isolation comfortable
Working in isolation doesn’t mean you’re alone 24/7. What it does mean is that some of your best work is done when you are in solitude. Brain-storming doesn’t stop when you leave a team meeting; instead, it expands as you have time to focus on your own. As someone who leans towards introversion, you tend to prefer this sort of work over large, obnoxious group settings.
9. You desire freedom in the workplace
You want to bolt up from your desk and do ten jumping jacks, or maybe you want to work at home in your sweatpants. Either way, you desire this spontaneity and autonomy in your everyday life. Heading to work every day at the same time and working for someone else simply doesn’t make sense to you. You prefer being the boss of your life, and with that comes the freedom to make decisions about your workday. This deeply ingrained desire is just another nod towards the life of an entrepreneur.
10. You think about the small details
The small details of a business can make all of the difference in success. For example, noticing the most minor of details in your SEO strategy can create a more successful website. If you carry this level of attention with you throughout your life, it’s pointing you to this career path.
The same level of detail that goes into creating products should also be maintained in your business structure. If you think about the nitty-gritty details of your business like business insurance, general liability, legal expenses, and even your capital market, you are the hitting nail on the head. Small business insurance policies may feel overwhelming, but with tools like this small business insurance comparison with iSelect, the process is simple, so you can feel in control of this aspect of your business.
11. You’re aware of the long-term
The big picture is easy for you to see. You have the ideal scenario working in your head at all times. Even when things don’t make sense to others, that doesn’t stop you from understanding where you’re headed. You have a clear career goal that you keep in the forefront of your mind because you know one day, with economic growth and tenacity, you’ll get there.
