1. You're Rebellious
Are you passionately opposed to corrupt authority, or authority in general? Does the thought of being another cog in the machine fill you with a level of insurmountable detestation?
Well, before you slap on a Che Guevara T-Shirt and take to the streets to overthrow the capitalist system, consider this:
You may be an entrepreneur
All great leaders are rebellious and defiant to authority. Entrepreneurs are no different. Who better to lead your life than you, right? The rebelliousness of an entrepreneur doesn't root from the desire to see chaos, but rather the concept of individual sovereignty. Which brings us to our next characteristic...
2. You're Self-Disciplined
Rebellion is not to be confused with a lack of discipline. You can be highly disciplined and rebellious simultaneously.
The Hollywood portrayal of entrepreneurs, such as in the movie 'The Wolf of Wall Street', may be a tad misleading (even though it was based on a true story.)
While it's true that many entrepreneurs play hard, they also work very very hard. If rampant alcohol abuse began to interfere with the success of an entrepreneur's business, they would quickly have to put a stop to it or get it under control. (or fail)
Entrepreneurs are highly focused, schedule oriented and disciplined people. Some great entrepreneurs have spoken objectionably in regards to self-destructive lifestyles.
Whether you choose to abstain or indulge in intoxicating substances, there must be a certain level of self-management and functionality in order to succeed as an entrepreneur.
A walk-through of a successful entrepreneur's typical day may look like this:
- Waking up early
- Eating healthy
- Exercising
- Reading
- Planning
- and Work Work Work...
3. You're a Workaholic
Another great misconception is the idea that entrepreneurs are people who work 2 hours a day and spend the rest of their day on yachts, drinking martinis and sleeping with prostitutes.
If there are any entrepreneurs who lay honest claim to this, it is purely anecdotal.
Even investors, who don't run businesses themselves and have more flexibility in their day, often say they spend a good portion of their time reading and planning rather than partying.
Entrepreneurs are highly motivated people who are often consumed by, and obsessed with their work.
Some entrepreneurs, who found that they may have been more unmotivated and lazy working for somebody else, experienced the opposite when they freed themselves and began working for themselves.
One of the challenges that entrepreneurs often face is effectively managing their time so that they do not become neglectful to their family, friends and loved ones.
4. You're a Fearless Risk Taker
Entrepreneurs are not easily moved by fear. You have to take risks. There's a saying in the business word: Jump, and grow wings on your way down.
Essentially this means that you're going to be faced with tough decisions, and you're going to have to make a move. You will face failures, lots of falling and tons of hurdles. The successful entrepreneur is the one who figures out how to fly back up the mountain.
Risk taking, however, is not to be conflated with boisterous acts of stupidity. There's a difference between careless gambling and carefully assessed risk taking.
5. You have an Unquenchable Thirst for Knowledge
There is no such thing as "completing your education." Education is an ongoing process.
Entrepreneurs are typically people who are fascinated with knowledge and will accumulate it however they can. (Books, workshops, speaking events, school, networking and asking others for opinions and help.)
Knowledge is absolutely priceless. Obtain as much of it as you can.
6. You Think Outside the Box
Entrepreneurs are often pioneers; those who shape much of the world around us with new products, services and technology.
An entrepreneur understands that tomorrow is unwritten and that nobody really has it all figured out yet.
Creativity and innovative thinking are imperative to entrepreneurship. An "oddball" who has ideas that the majority think are weird and crazy has a better chance of being more successful than the majority, if they apply that creativity into something marketable.
7. You Have a Lust for Life
We've gone over all the boring stuff about self-discipline, right?
As we mentioned before, entrepreneurs work hard, but they play hard as well. Having passion for life is a key ingredient to being successful.
There's a time for work, and so too must there be a time to reap the benefits of your work.
Cash flow and liquidity are important, but why? It's important because those things give you more freedom to do the things you want to do with your life.
Whether that's traveling, skydiving, vacationing in the Caribbean, or volunteering at homeless shelters or other charitable functions. It's up to you.
Work hard, invest smart, reinvest smart, and enjoy life to the fullest.
