How To Start Thinking Like An Entrepreneur
We live in a time where there are endless opportunities for entrepreneurs. The internet has opened up a world of commerce, anyone can build a business and live whatever, however and wherever they wish. It is not a lack of opportunities or resources that keep some people in a job, hoping to make it big with their business. More than likely, it’s the mindset and beliefs that they are bringing to their business that is getting in the way.
I didn’t have entrepreneurs to look up to while I was growing up, my parents and everyone I knew went to work every day at typical career-type jobs. I didn’t know that creating your own business was an option. When I started my first business, I had to learn how to think like an entrepreneur rather than an employee.
Below are five mindset shifts to develop to start thinking like an entrepreneur.
Self Management
As an employee, you have a boss or manager that is watching your performance. Maybe they’re not micromanaging, but if you don’t meet a certain standard, then you no longer have that job. As an entrepreneur, there is no one looking over your shoulder. If you have a hard time managing your own time and staying productive, you may need to spend extra time developing this skill.
How do you do that?
– Have a clear vision of your goal and what outcome is driving you to do business your way. Is it to build a community, have a certain lifestyle, or meeting a need you feel is important in the marketplace.
– Make this goal a must. If you feel like something would just “be nice to have/do/be”, then you don’t have the drive behind you to get it done. Think of what’s at stake. What will you lose or fail to gain if you don’t achieve this goal?
– Remind yourself everyday of these benefits and consequences. Make them real!
Think Outside the Box
Creativity and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand. As an employee, you’re more often than not told what to do and how to do it. Entrepreneurs are faced with a blank canvas, having to not only determine solutions to problems, but also which problems are a actually problems and which to prioritize.
How do you cultivate creative thinking?
Practice! Spend time in other, less risky situations thinking of new ideas or ways to approach a task or problem. How can you be more thoughtful on social media? How can you connect with the people you’re trying to help in a new way no one has thought of yet?
Failure is your friend
Most of us are raised believing that if we fail, then we are a failure. In reality, the most successful people fail the most. They’re not afraid to fail and they do it often because they know that failures lead to successes. Many large corporations are afraid to spend money on risky ideas and employees are rewarded for their successes, not their brilliant ideas that don’t pan out. It’s hard to take risks as an employee, but as an entrepreneur everything you do is risky and you have to have the stomach for it.
How to take bigger risks.
Start taking risks where the stakes are low. Take up a new sport, post something a heart-felt and a little outside your comfort zone on social media, reach out to someone you want as a client. Start with small risks and work up to the big ones. Get used to the feeling of hearing “no” or not doing something perfectly — this will build your confidence. Eventually you will get the yeses and feelings of doing things really well.
Productivity
Employees often measure their productivity in time spent. Entrepreneurs measure their productivity in what gets done. As an employee, you have to work x hours to make y dollars. As an entrepreneur you have to make x, sell it to y people, to make z dollars. It doesn’t matter how much time is spent, it matters what is produced. This is often why people want to be entrepreneurs, they want to work the “four hour work week”.
Productivity Tip
Start gauging your day by how much you’re getting done. A common problem to fall into when you’re on the clock is to keep working on a project, even when you feel burned out. Entrepreneurs learn to feel when they are starting to get drained and give themselves a break — go for a run, have lunch, take a yoga class. Do something that will keep your energy level and productivity up! Come back to your tasks when you feel yourself bounce back.
Invest in yourself
As an employee, professional development comes in the form of what your company thinks you need to learn. Have you ever been to one of those conferences with hundreds of people and walk away without really getting anything out of it. But corporate feels great about sending you there, because it shows that they are doing something. As an entrepreneur, there is no time for this. Only you know what you need to learn and what skills you should be investing your time and money into. Don’t waist your time on studying to be a perfect, well-rounded entrepreneur. Take a look at yourself and your business — if you could learn one thing, what would improve your business and your ability to run a business the most?
Now it’s your turn! Which of these mindset shifts would help you the most as an entrepreneur? Pick one and do one small thing to start making that change right now.
