Top 7 Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur
If you've already taken the plunge as an entrepreneur,
you know that it takes a great deal of planning, development
and strategic marketing to succeed. Whether you're
the CEO, CFO, Chief Marketer or Chief Solutions Officer
of your company, your journey to success is probably full
of trials and tribulations. There are 7 traits to success
and we share them with you here.
1. Successful entrepreneurs gain the respect of their
peers.
One of the first and most obvious characteristics you'll
see operating in an exceptional entrepreneur is an equitable
and unbiased disposition. The successful entrepreneur
recognizes that no one is above or below. With an attitude
of respect for others, the successful entrepreneur gains
the respect from everyone they encounter. Strategies,
attitudes and methods filter down to each person and reflect
on all actions and activities. No matter how effective
or beneficial your expertise, becoming a successful entrepreneur
requires building up of your character muscles, traits
and habits.
2. Successful entrepreneurs believe and trust in
themselves.
The savvy entrepreneur is good at trusting his or her
own ideas and instincts. Starting out as an entrepreneur
requires persistence, determination and a high level of
self-discipline. Continuing as a successful entrepreneur
requires even more persistence, determination and self-discipline.
The wise and successful entrepreneur knows this and works
hard at developing their level of confidence. If you have
a strong code of ethics and believe in yourself, then
your ideas can work. Having the desire and passion are
the first steps on your journey; getting there requires
believing in yourself.
3. Successful entrepreneurs follow a plan.
The successful entrepreneur follows a plan. That doesn't
mean you won't go off course if another road seems
better, but it's more effective to have a plan in
place. Most successful entrepreneurs start out by writing
a basic business plan that acts as the impetus and guide
for their endeavors. It doesn't have to be fancy
or lengthy but it should include marketing strategies,
goals, intentions, ideas and why you can do better than
your competition. A business plan should be reviewed and
updated periodically for each new idea inspires other
ideas.
4. Successful entrepreneurs think creatively.
Successful entrepreneurs are not afraid of thinking
creatively. Whether a business idea has already been tried
makes no difference to the exceptional entrepreneur. He
or she sees better ways of doing things and knows that
every idea can be made better. The successful entrepreneur
is willing to think outside or the box, which means using
imagination, trying new things and expanding on a vision.
The savvy entrepreneur pays careful attention as to whether
a particular strategy is working. If after giving it his
or her best shot the entrepreneur realizes the particular
strategy isn't working, they know there's
no point in continuing to invest energy, time and effort
in the strategy. They move on to another approach and
idea.
5. Successful entrepreneurs explore their exceptional
skills.
Successful entrepreneurs realize that we each have our
strengths and weaknesses as well as a multitude of skills
and talents. Successful people ask themselves often what
skills they have that no one shares in the same way. An
exceptional and successful entrepreneur explores their
particular skills until they find the ones that match
most closely with their ideal. They don't try to
be and do everything. If the successful entrepreneur needs
help, they're willing to find someone who can do
it better, and allows in the support. The successful entrepreneur
stays open to change for they recognize that as they move
forward, doors open in unexpected places that carry them
to their next level of success.
6. Successful entrepreneurs envision their success.
The successful entrepreneur gives time to envisioning
how they want their business to be. Imagine what it will
feel like when you've reached a particular set of
goals. Get in touch with the feelings you'd have
as a successful entrepreneur. Practice and conceive of
the sense of empowerment and the joy of having succeeded.
The successful entrepreneur knows they have the power
to live life the way they want, but to make it a reality,
they know it has to be seen first.
7. Successful entrepreneurs never give up.
Giving up is never an option for the successful entrepreneur.
Having faith, trust, confidence and determination are
the qualities needed for the successful entrepreneur.
To keep their focus on track, they seek out the support
of those that know them, encourage them and bring out
their natural enthusiasm. The smart and successful entrepreneur
realizes that there will be good days and not so good
days. Being a successful entrepreneur requires accepting
the ebbs and flows of business for it is what separates
the successful entrepreneur from the one who gives up
too soon.
2004 Robert Moment
Robert Moment, author, business coach and success
strategist is the author of a best-selling book, "It
Only Takes A Moment to Score". Founder of The Moment
Group, a small business coaching & consulting firm.
