Successful entrepreneurs are the life blood of business in the United States and around the world. Every corporation, organization and banking system started with one person with an idea that blossomed into a thriving business.
The entrepreneur spirit that drives a person to build a successful business from nothing is more than just intriguing. When we look at what characteristics or traits common among those that do succeed, we are able to design our own success.
We are not passive. We are dynamic and powerful. The characteristics we display today are not who we will be tomorrow. We learn and shift and become more each day. We determine our destiny but we don’t achieve success in a vacuum. We look to those that have realized their dreams despite opposition and learn. We learn what it takes to live a successful life by learning about others.
Every business owner or “would be” entrepreneur must be willing to learn what makes successful entrepreneurs achieve their goals. It’s not money or connections, it not support or a knack for selling ~ it is the actual character and drive of a person that determines whether or not they will succeed.
The successful entrepreneur stands as our model for our own lives whether professional or personal - the traits and inner workings of the successful entrepreneur becomes a plum line for all of us that also dare to dream. Honestly, it is one thing to DREAM of starting your own business But it is our ACTIONS that actually get us there in the end.
This list of traits or characteristics of the successful entrepreneur is in no way complete but it is a great way to get your mind and heart turned toward becoming a focused effective business owner. All through history, people that have risen to greatness in business have all exhibited these characteristics. Please don’t read down through and determine that you aren’t entrepreneur material. We all start with a dream and the drive but the deciding factor for success comes down to use of our skills and talents. Few of us are gifted in these areas. We can learn and develop to be all of these things.
It is the decision to start a business that propels us into the mindset of successful entrepreneurs. That first step is learning what areas of our personality and character we will develop to ensure our success. THIS is your first step.
"The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step." - Lao Tzu
Successful Entrepreneurs Are Goal Oriented - Do you consider yourself to be goal oriented? Keeping in mind that 90% of businesses started this year will not be around next year, if you aren’t writing your goals down then working toward them, you are flirting with disaster.
Often we start with the end in mind but successful entrepreneurs live by the adage - failing to plan is planning for failure. All successful business plans start with Goals.
The main characteristic of all successful entrepreneurs is that they are detail and goal oriented people. From customer service to marketing, business owners that set daily, weekly, monthly goals have greater success. It’s as simple as that. The fact is all successful entrepreneurs set goals. Every day they know what is expected of them because they know what goals they are working toward both personally and professionally.
To become part of the 10% that succeeds in business, learn how to develop and set your goals effectively. Don’t simply mull them over in your head - write them down, date them and continually work your plan to achieve the goals you have set for yourself and your business.
Successful Entrepreneurs Are Single Minded - Some people are gifted - they aren’t easily distracted. It is a skill to be able to put on blinders that help you stay focused on the task at hand. A major characteristic of successful business owners is the ability to stay with one task until it is complete.
Does that mean there aren’t some really scattered people trying to run a business? Nope! What it means is that those of us that are somewhat flighty and unfocused people (this writer included) must develop the ability to be focused - task oriented and single minded.
Running a successful business requires focus and self-discipline. Writing your goals and practicing the art of completing one task at a time will keep you organized AND effective. Although some creative types may proclaim that they can multi-task without losing quality in their work - truly successful entrepreneurs work in chunks of time totally focused on the task at hand.
Successful Entrepreneurs Are Creative - The ability to brainstorm, problem solve, think outside the norms are all hallmark characteristics of successful business owners. Not every business owner is artsy or a prolific writer but successful entrepreneurs are not limited by facts and figures. Business owners that learn how to tap into their own creativity move themselves into a league of their own. Granted, some business owners feel they lack a creative spirit and wonder if it’s something you are born with or developed.
We are all born creative and gifted in something but as we grow up, we learn to focus on other things. Are you more analytical? Surround yourself with creative, right brain thinkers and do some brainstorming. Practice the art of looking at things from a different perspective. Open your mind to other viewpoints. Learn how to tap into that part of you that IS creative through reading, mastermind groups, workshops, coaching and audio tapes that teach how to develop the creative YOU.
Tammy Ames is the owner of WAHM Connections, an online business resource for new entrepreneurs. Sign up for WAHM Connections weekly newsletter to help you develop the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur!
