Sunday, October 19, 2014

What Makes an Entrepreneur Tick?--Entry 5

What makes an entrepreneur tick?  This is something that I really am excited to know about.  I have begun my mentor studies this week as well in the book, So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur? by Jon Gillespie-Brown.  I’m really excited to dive into more of what makes ME tick.  How can I just improve MY life through my entrepreneurial spirit?  How can I persevere in my school work, in my writing, in my parenting, and in my everyday living? 

One of the readings was asking the question: Are entrepreneurs born or made?  The writer asks a group of seasoned entrepreneurs about the characteristics, skills, and luck within this career path.  Within the “skill” set, these skills mentioned are ones I recognize in myself. 

• “Being able to communicate clearly.”
• “Listening and questioning customers.”
• “Being a problem solver; thinking.”
• “Being curious enough to uncover and unravel the strategies of competitors.”

I’m not much of a problem solver, but being a mom teaches this principle since I was decent at math, but not the best at it.  

Within the character section, perseverance is spoken of at the very beginning with a quote by Calvin Coolidge, “Nothing in this world will take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”  This really stuck with me because no matter what we do, no matter what we decide to do, we have to have the persistence to stick with it.  It’s fun seeing the different things that my children are trying out to see what they like right now.  But the best thing is to see the perseverance in my 9 year old with her art and writing skills.  She is a reader, but decided a few weeks ago to write a book and she updates us on what chapter she has recently written.  I’m excited to see her stick with it to finish it! 

In another reading on perseverance, President James E. Faust states, “We need to carry on and endure to the end.”  

Going on to the last bit from the first reading, luck.  This is what one entrepreneur said about luck, “You can be the luckiest person on earth, but when luck comes to someone who is unprepared or lacking in character, or sees money as the most important thing in life, nothing good ever comes of it.”  For me, this sound advice really helps me see things a bit differently.  Yes, money is something that is needed, but it shouldn’t be what runs our lives.  If we let money run our lives, we won’t be able to get away from it.  What we do with our money is up to us, but if it controls us, our options are limited.  If we can see the potential in an idea and not be scared to take the risk by being prepared for the unknown, luck can be our friend instead of our downfall.


Readings:
Perseverance by James E. Faust

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