Entrepreneurial characteristics are those that make a person stand out from the crowd; creativity, persistence, self-belief, passion, leadership, ambition, enthusiasm and commitment. These features are not normally associated with people happy to plod along with the masses, but with individuals who have the vision of an autonomous future.
The list given is neither definitive, nor true of every successful entrepreneur, but it does give you a benchmark from which to assess yourself when considering if you have what it takes to move your innovative ideas up a level. Thousands of people mentally play with thoughts of setting up their own business, but few have the get-up-and-go to actually do it and by assessing yourself honestly, you will gain deeper understanding as to whether you do.
A great place to start is to ask friends and family for constructive comments on your strengths and weaknesses, then digest and consider what they have to say. Remember, they know you better than anyone so their input is crucial and should be listened to carefully. Also talk to people who have set up their own business in order to gain a true understanding of what it takes and what is involved. If you think it will be an easy ride, you could be gravely mistaken and by hearing about the highs and the lows, you can reach a decision about if you are prepared to throw caution to the wind and go for it, whatever the outcome.
Being ready to put in long hours is a prerequisite to building your business. In the beginning nobody else can make your business work but you – you have to have the passion and drive to launch it yourself. However, if you believe in something and want it enough, then consider that it should be no hardship for you to put the hours in. Understanding friends and family are most definitely a plus; you need people around you who can offer you their full support. Half the battle is the ability to prove to people that your business idea is one that has real potential but you will soon find that if you believe in what you are doing, it won’t take much to convince others!
You do need to be realistic, though. Not everyone will see your vision the way you do but you must have the self-confidence to stare adversity in the face and be aware that it won’t necessarily all be plain sailing. Although support from friends and family is important, you really shouldn’t care about the views of anyone else – unless they play a significant part in your future of course! Take this attitude and if your venture doesn’t make it, you will at least have the ability to dust yourself off and either tweak your vision or, try Plan B.
This is really what being an entrepreneur is about – never giving up, always striving for success and believing in your ideas despite how others may ridicule or warn you against them. And believe me, they will!
