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What
Qualities Make Entrepreneurs Successful?
 You've
probably heard it said that if you aren't the
lead dog, the view never changes. The literal
interpretation is easy to understand if you're
a sled dog-but how does it apply to our lives?
In a word, it's about leadership. Instead
of being at the bottom of a very large corporate
organizational chart (in a little square that
covers everyone in the department), the leader
is at the top or very near the top. There's a
special square just for his or her name and position.
That's how powerful and important leaders are
to an organization. In fact, they are very likely
the ones who took the initiative to form the company
in the first place-or to work for it when it was
just beginning. They were willing to take a chance
and believe in themselves. They may be corporate
executives now, but they began as entrepreneurs.
What are the character traits
that make people succeed as their own bosses?
What motivates them to step up and decide to change
a less-than-wonderful life into the life they
want? It just so happens that successful entrepreneurs
have certain qualities in common.
1. Entrepreneurs have strong and steady goals
and ambitions. They might be working for someone
else right now, but they see their job as just
a stopping-off point because they envision much
more from life. They know there's got to be a
way to make a living doing something they enjoy,
whether it's a hobby or a new and exciting interest.
They spend time looking at the whole picture-asking
themselves "What do people want now?"
and "How can I provide that?" Entrepreneurs
don't think, "Somebody should figure that
out." Instead, they're already making lists
of what they need to do to meet the needs they've
identified. For example, while everyone else is
complaining about the price of gas, the entrepreneur
is figuring out how to provide a citywide carpool
matching service.
2. Entrepreneurs envision success.
Plenty of people think "If only I could find
a better job, I'd be happier," but they stay
at the same job year after year. They might visualize
their ideal job, but they take no action to get
there. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, see themselves
succeeding. Whether you call it "the power
of positive thinking," "the will to
succeed," or "the secret," the
system of visualizing what you want is a method
that has been proven to  work.
If you've been to a Little League baseball game
lately, you may have heard the coach tell a batter,
"Watch the ball hit the bat." In other
words, visualize success, feel that bat crack
the ball over the fence! It works for adults just
as well if you dare to believe in yourself and
let yourself feel what it's like to reach your
goals. The wonderful thing about this system is
that it builds and rebuilds upon itself as your
self-confidence increases and you meet more and
more of your goals.
3. Entrepreneurs listen and watch.
James Naismith was a physical education instructor
who noticed that his students' active lives seemed
to end in the fall with the last football game
and didn't pick up again until baseball and track
in the spring. Like many entrepreneurs, Naismith
listened to what the kids were saying-something
along the lines of "I wish there was an exciting
ball game we could play inside." Naismith
watched and listened, identified a need, and invented
basketball in 1891, using a soccer ball and peach
baskets.
Entrepreneurs don't ignore people
who tell them "It can't be done." But
they do see such people as a good source of difficulties
they might not have thought of-problems they'll
include on their list of issues to address as
they make their business plans. So they listen
to these people, smile politely, and file away
their ideas. Entrepreneurs are always looking
for inspirational books and videos, too. They
like to listen to or read about other people who
believed in themselves and made their own dreams
come true. They think, "If he did it, so
can I!"
4. Entrepreneurs are good organizers.
This doesn't mean that they're perfectionists
and arrange their spice cabinets alphabetically.
It does mean that entrepreneurs know how to research
what other people are doing with the same ideas,
or they find someone reliable who can do the research
for them. They don't jump into the pool before
they test the water. They are not at all proud
when it comes to asking for guidance from others
on any topics that pertain to the business they
have in mind. They realize that they need a fair
estimate of how much money they will need, what
equipment is necessary, whether they can run the
business themselves or will need to get others
involved. They keep good notes, write down phone
numbers, collect business  cards.
They make "to do" lists and highlight
good ideas. They store away the best information
from all sources and make their decisions accordingly.
5. Entrepreneurs keep their eyes
on the goal. Even though they've developed
the best business plan they possibly can, they
realize there will probably be obstacles and minor
annoyances. They don't let these dissuade them.
In fact, they welcome the challenges that they
know will make them and their business enterprises
stronger. If a customer complains about something,
it simply means that they need to address that
individual customer's concerns and figure out
how not to let that problem occur again. And always,
always, the goal is uppermost in mind.
6. Entrepreneurs don't entertain
thoughts of failure. It just isn't part of
the vision they have of themselves. They don't
even question whether they are going to make something
happen or not. They just are, period, and they
know this because they know they've got a good
idea, a good business plan, and all the personal
qualities it takes to make everything work. The
only option is success, the triumphant unfolding
of all their plans and dreams. They believe it,
and it happens.
How about you? Can you
identify with these qualities? Ate you tired of
other people profiting from your ideas? You can
put your name at the top of the chart if you really
want to. It's as easy as filling in the form below
for free information about starting your own business.
Believe in yourself!
Wendy Matthews
Certified NLP Practitioner & Life Coach
1-800-801-8948
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