So You Think You’re An Entrepreneur? INS Episode 04

By Kevin Ross, RN, BSN | October 13, 2014 |

You’ve been talking about starting a business, you say that you’re hard at work on launching this endeavor, BUT are you really cut from the entrepreneurial cloth? Can you actually execute on those ideas, AND do you even have the drive and faith in your own abilities to produce something tangible? Stay tuned for more as I talk about what it takes to be that entrepreneur you’re striving to be.

Most of us have the dream of being our own boss. I mean, isn’t that one of the reasons why we embark on the entrepreneurial path? Being your own boss however is rarely (if ever) a 9-5 job. Getting used to putting in 80+ hours a week isn’t for the faint of heart, and this can certainly be the norm, especially in the beginning phases.

Here are a couple of traits that you’ll have to figure out whether you’re going to make the cut as an entrepreneur. The list of course isn’t comprehensive, but they’re pretty important.

You’ve got enough intrinsic motivation and direction to move mountains

It’s obvious you don’t need a boss. You don’t seek that validation from someone in a higher position as you’re always motivated to keep raising the bar. An entrepreneur has to make things happen and not just wait around to implement change. You want the freedom to oversee you’re own work, which leads me to the next point.

For the first time in your life, you feel free

All you think about is breaking free and executing on your ideas. You’ve got the vision and you want the freedom to make it happen. You seek to create something regardless of the risk, although I do recommend making calculated risks.

Owning your own business is hard and it’s constant. You can’t just be a risk taker, you have to be able to afford the risks involved. All the risks. The risk away from your loved ones, the risk of being rejected, the risk you aren’t reaching your targets, the risk people may actually hate you and your product. Having a business plan is great for investment purposes but remember plans fail and failing can be part of your process.

Being busy doesn’t scare you in the least

Now let me first say that there’s a difference in actually being busy and feeling busy. When you’re busy, you’re taking action. Saying that you feel busy however, and being passive isn’t the entrepreneurial approach. If you’re busy and those actions lead to something tangible, then you’re likely on the right path, success or failure. Which, leads me to another good trait to have.

If you see failure as an opportunity

You’re going to make some mistakes along the way, and if you see this as an opportunity to learn, then you’re well on your way. Trust me, mistakes can sting a little, but an entrepreneur doesn’t let that get in the way. You’ll put some skin in the game and you’ll even leave a little skin there. If you’re making decisions based on fear, then you may actually be a wantrepreneur. You get back up, dust yourself off, reflect and move forward. You’ll learn some of your best lessons through mistakes.

What you’re currently doing is mind numbing

You can’t stand complacency and you feel like you’re wasting your time. The status quo isn’t in your vocabulary and you’re ready to take it to the next level.

Empowerment is the only way you’ll thrive

If you’re optimistic and you seek empowerment to be better and to do something good, then you’re well on your way to achieving those dreams. You have faith in who you are and what you’re about to embark on.

Having a job is a huge risk

I’ve often debated this point in many conversation out there, and some of you have even said “that’s just crazy.” It might seem that way, but if you think you’ve got solid job security, you may just want to double check that. A company regardless of size and revenue can change course so abruptly that you could find yourself out of a job in a flash. Now I understand that there’s a lot of risk taken as an entrepreneur and business could take off, or it may be headed south, but as a leader of my endeavor at least I have a better view of that possibility. With the right drive, planning, and agility, I can act swiftly and make changes where necessary.

Another thing to consider is that your current job could actually be getting in your way of becoming an entrepreneur. Maybe you’ve gotten so comfortable in that position that you’re dreams are stifled by that complacency.

You love going against the grain

You thrive on going against the grain. You’re motivated to think outside of the box and doing “what’s expected” isn’t in your vocabulary. Curiosity isn’t going to kill this cat. You’re ready to buck trends and you’re going to achieve those goals on the path less followed. Blazing new trails doesn’t scare you, and you’re ready for the ebb and flow of what owning a business has to offer.

Do you have some of these traits, and if so, are you ready to break out and blaze some entrepreneurial trails?

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Posted in Podcast and tagged entrepreneur, nurse entrepreneurs