The entrepreneurial lifestyle is one that most people simply don’t “get”. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with many people such as clients, friends and family and from what I can gather from them, and my more than 20 years of experience being an entrepreneur, most people think the entrepreneurial lifestyle is foolish, confusing and down-right risky! [Read on…]
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Let’s face it, there is always that lure about going into business for yourself. It is touted as a lifestyle full of freedom, wealth and abundance and who doesn’t want that right? In just about every definition that I have read, the word “risk” is mentioned with being an entrepreneur and this is one of the BIGGEST reason that many people either succeed or fail as an entrepreneur or not want to go in that direction at all.
Entrepreneurial Lifestyle: The Entrepreneurial Personality is Unique
To be a member of one of the biggest “clubs” in the world, an entrepreneur; you really have to have a certain type of personality to flourish in business. I didn’t come from an entrepreneurial family, I came by this unique personality type naturally. Anyone can be an entrepreneur but not everyone will enjoy it or be good at it.
So what is this unique personality type of an entrepreneur?
Here are a few of the personality traits you need if you want a chance at creating success as an entrepreneur, in no particular order of course.
- Grit
- Focus
- Tech Skills
- Persistence
- Vision
The entrepreneurial lifestyle is full of ups and downs. It’s not at all unusual that a person feel the need to have a certain amount of security in their life so the person who craves stability in this way, may not be well suited for this type of lifestyle. I remember a conversation with a client who confesses that she would not be a good business owner because she likes the idea of showing up for a j-o-b but realizes that having her own business will give her more money and freedom in the long-run.
This is a decision that you should not take lightly.
Entrepreneurial Lifestyle: Being an Entrepreneur is Exciting
I bet you know someone who loves the thrill of being on a roller coaster ride. These people love the excitement of the twists and turns while others would rather have their feet firmly planted on the ground.
The entrepreneurial lifestyle is perfect for the person who lives for variety and contrarily not for the person who perhaps veers on the side of being anal and doesn’t embrace change very well.
While I am not a big fan of a roller coaster, frankly I feel happiest when the ride is over, I feel completely excited about my businesses. It is such a thrill to create an entity from nothing and watch it blossom into something that gives tremendous value to so many people.
Honestly, I am fearless when it comes to trying new things. This is not always a good thing. Sometimes I get myself into trouble, but I don’t care. We get to go around this life just one time and I am all about living my life like it’s the last day!
Entrepreneurial Lifestyle: Swallowing Fear Like It’s Nothing
Everyone has fear and it’s normal. As humans our minds are wired in this way to protect us from getting eaten by a Saber-tooth Tiger. Well we don’t much have these types of animals running around anymore so this type of fear is replaced by whether or not we will be able to pay our bills each month. At least this is the consensus many years after the recession of 2008 hit.
I’m not going to lie, the entrepreneurial lifestyle is sometimes a drag. I remember a few decades ago when my ex-husband worked a full-time job and worked our business on the side all the way in the wee hours of the night. There were other times when he worked for FREE! I was alone with the babies at home running the executive and marketing end. These were the sacrifices that became “normal” for us and at times, it was honestly more than I could take!
Working for free for a period of time is nothing new for an entrepreneur. This is where having a very strong vision comes in. With this special trait, you must have a strong belief in your ability. Not only that, but you also have to be able to “touch the future” and see in the mind’s eye what is possible for the business. This isn’t always easy when you are tired and scared.
Dealing with the fear, and finding courage from within us becomes so common that we as entrepreneurs start to expect it. We have to learn to embrace it, too, because all of us know that it’s part of the package!
Entrepreneurial Lifestyle: Reaping The Rewards
From being tired, lonely, overwhelmed and scared to enjoying the benefits of freedom, peace, a well-padded bank account. These are at the core of why people struggle with the idea of being an entrepreneur. The one piece of advice that I can give someone who is either on the journey now or thinking about it is to keep your mind on the prize.
Staying organized with what the vision and purpose of the business is, will help you leaps and bounds on the rough days. When you are able to wait it out by staying on track through the tough times, you will see the benefits and it will all be worth it in the end.
After many decades living the entrepreneurial lifestyle, I realize that I will never live a “normal” life. As an entrepreneur, I will always work at odd hours or in odd places. Some days, I work 10 hours and some days I don’t work at all. In the end, it’s all worth it! I have my freedom, variety, financial security and live with passion.
