Are You an Entrepreneur?

An Entrepreneur is a "one-of-a-kind" individual!

Elsewhere we discussed the fact that true success is achieved most easily when one searches their passions in order to determine things most enjoyed. All of us have more exuberance when we enjoy our activity.

Sadly, most people exist from day to day, payday to payday, week to week, month to month, year to year. If this is you, no one can change it, but YOU!! You can incorporate this change in your life by either becoming an Entrepreneur or a good valued employee.

If you want the change, start determining the things you enjoy most; the things you and your family can do together; or the things you and your family enjoy most. This is not to say that the family must be involved in your day to day business or job, but they are involved in life while you’re doing whatever you choose to do. The drudgery of everyday living can be bad enough without compounding it in a vocation that is no fun.

When you choose that path (vocation), give it adequate thought and consideration, then plan your course. The planning of any change is crucial to the success of that change. We have an old, but true motto,

Suppose you choose to start a business and become a successful Entrepreneur. Assess, at least, the following:

• Do I truly enjoy this activity?


• Is this field something that has excellent opportunity?


• Is this something I want to spend the rest of my life doing?


• I know what I need about the vocation and being an Entrepreneur?


• Do I have the time/resources to acquire what I need that I don’t have?


• Can I look after my obligations while implementing my plan?


• Is this field something my family can and will support?


• What are the pros and cons of my plan?


• How long will it take to implement my plan?

After you have satisfactorily answered all the above, methodically Plan the Work. To the best of your ability, leave no stone unturned, nor occurrence unconsidered. Make sure the plan includes a realistic time-line. This will be your prime gauge to performance.

The planning is not an easy thing since you are in uncharted water, but it must be done. In view of the fact that this is “Your Business”, only you can do this. After planning, start Working the Plan!

If a manager does not know the inner-workings of why and how things actually are done successfully, he is not a good manager. The manager who depends on someone to show him how to “dig the ditch” is in big trouble and probably will not succeed. He does not know how to dig the ditch properly; how to dig the ditch efficiently; how long it takes or how much ditch can be dug in an hour; he certainly does not know how much it costs to dig the ditch. He must know if an employee is performing properly. He must also know the cost of his operation. Granted, the manager will most likely not be digging the ditch. I use this as an example only. Your expertise will apply the principle to your need for education.

If education is needed, either formal or on-the-job-training (OJT), do you have time and resources to acquire it. This may sound trivial, but if one already has a family and the financial obligations that accompany, this is not a minimal consideration.

If you need training, OJT may be the best source. While one may have to take a cut in pay to get to a starting place, it could be the only practical course.

In talking about OJT, unless technical education is required, it may also be the best course. Once we learn by performing a chore, the mistakes, corrections and proper ways tend to stick with us – we remember those things a lot easier and quicker. If we have bumped our nose, a time or two, hard enough, we will try not to do that again.

Once we have the experience, it’s only a matter of time ‘til the “cream floats to the top”. That is true, if we have the proper work ethic.

Some things in life are easier than others, but the fact is, anything worth doing is not easy. If we are going to make the change, it must be worth doing, or we wouldn’t be doing it. Right?

Many seem to think they are owed a living; a position; honor; or even respect. Those are all good things, but they are all earned, not deserved nor owed!!! Enough already!

When the “cream floats to the top”, you will be in some part of management. Find out all of the how’s, why’s and what-for’s that you encounter from any part of the management team.

If your Entrepreneurial choice includes a website, or anything concerning the internet, you would do well to check out this video! This approach to site building is head and shoulders above anything we have seen! Further, if your Plan includes the need for capital, you might check out an excellent source, Small Business Loans.

When you are comfortable with your ability and resources to operate in your new-found knowledge, CHARGE!! In other words, continue to Work the Plan and become that successful Entrepreneur you have dreamed about.

Please refer to our comments on Negotiation, Start-Up and Turn-Around

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