I’ve spent a great deal of time with some of he most successful business people in various markets over the last 6-months offering great opportunities to study the qualities of successful entrepreneurs.
Building my own business, attending exclusive elite coaching and training sessions, speaking at conferences and meeting with leading executive in small and micro businesses provided an excellent study on characteristics of entrepreneurs.
A question I always have in the back of my mind after coming away from meeting someone who has achieved multi-million dollar results in their company is WHAT characteristics differentiate that person or persons from all of the others who haven’t quite reached that level yet. In other words, what are the differentiating qualities of successful entrepreneurs?
Is it about WHO they are? How they were educated or trained? Personality traits that give them the "edge"? A lucky break or timing?
Of course, it’s not one single characteristic – but there are some definite qualities of success that we can put our finger on…
From my experiences, I’ve designed this quick test to measure your own likelihood that you will become one of those ELITE entrepreneurs:
1. Do you have a MISSION that drives your business plan AND that you are passionate about? In other words, do you have a BIG impact you hope to make on your market that gets you out of bed early each day where you just can’t wait to get moving?
2. Do you spend at least 75% of your time taking ACTION – even if you are not 100% sure of the outcome?
3. Are you making sure that you are carrying through at least one action each day that takes you outside of your comfort zone? (Contacting someone that may intimidate you, public speaking, conducting interviews, hiring top quality help, etc…)
4. What is your reaction when someone tells you "that can’t be done" or "that doesn’t make any sense"? Do you accept the "normal" definition of what is possible, or do you create your OWN definition.
5. How much does "what will other people think…" drive your decision making?
6. Have you developed a plan on how other people will help you achieve your end goal, or is your plan completely dependent on your own skills and action?
7. Do you view obstacles as negatives or as positive building blocks to achieving an end goal?
8. How well do you know yourself? Have you ever sat down and identified your strengths (ex. big ideas, but lack operational expertise or brilliant at executing, but not a good idea person?)
9. Are you willing to dedicate at least 5-years to achieving your MISSION or are you working on a month-by-month or 1-year plan?
10. Finally – have you had the "successful entrepreneur" microchip embedded in your neck that will instantly turn you into a multi-million dollar earning guru? (Sorry – couldn’t resist!)
Answer these questions honestly, try your best NOT to fool yourself into answering "correctly" because your ego wants to believe you have the qualities of successful entrepreneurs. Blindness never helped anyone achieve great things – instead, look at this as a learning and growth opportunity to identify the few characteristics of entrepreneurs that you may need to improve on your path to ultimate achievement.
Hit the comment button below this message and share your own thoughts, results and opinions on characteristics of successful entrepreneurs from your own experience and learning.
By the way – if you want a no-charge preview of my new book (putting the finishing touches on it now), head over to Attract Greatness – answer the one quick question and WHAM, you’ll have your own free copy of this $27 book. Only catch is that I need your response before December 7th, 2007 after which the question will be gone and the book will only be available at the $27 price.
Jeff
Answers to the questions above
1)Yes, I have a Mission that will help humanity . This is a new concept for healing cancers without consuming any thing internally.
2)Yes I do spend most of the time – 80-90 % thinking about the new concept- which presently is turned down by most of the people i talk to. But the effprts are switched off now & then when the resistance received from my close people increase multi folds. I would like to discontinue as it is my life mission.
3) Because of the above, most of the time I am outside the comfort zone only. I wish one day I get a chance to prove my hypothesis which will help the humanity. In the recent past, when I am in depressed mood due to non moving of the mission path, i avoid talking topeople about this.
4)Initially, i.e 8-9 yrs ago, there was terrific negation to the concept and I was treated as alunatic. I enjoyed their openion and proceeded with the work.Most of my ideas appear to be stupid for others as my vision falls on root cause of the problem rather than on the effects. In addition, being an engineer by profession, these odd ideas implimented showed success in most complicated problems. I am not able to handle simple routine problems which most of the other people are able to do and are available to do. I feel that I should do things which others do not take up or do not do. This makes me odd man out. Some times I feel I am right and try my best to impliment it under all odds. But some times, I get into my shell .
5) Initially, it was low. I never used to care for others. Of late, with most of the people saying that I need to be in tune with others to make the mission successful, I forcibly control myself and started following others, thus fell into the trap of What will others think—–
6) Though I made a plan of who may help, my plans never worked as they were planned. However, for the mission to move, unexpected incidents as well as newer people are coming across to encourage/help in this new mission which is un known to most of the people.
7) I was always cornered by situations which you have defined as obstacles. The some how escape ( from the painful situation) route found in that situation landed me a new world/ route. This I used to realise after I review the situation once I reached a comfort zone. My problem situations whether accept or not are forcing me into newer avenues. It is difficult to digest such situations which are appearing in my path frequently.
8) Yes . i attempted to know my SWOT. Though I have executed many works, few of which are highly challenging, when I tried to review what I need to know – it was infinite and I feel I am still at Zero state. I am peeping into the universe through a small hole and the limited visible zone itself is so big???
9) Yes, I would love to dedicate 5 years to achievetheMission, though I review it day/ weekly.
10) What is multi millionaire?? What will you do with the millions ( volatile substance) if the life time satisfaction is not achied. I agree that money is essential to execute a mission. However, hearts of the people, their involvement will move the project with uninterrupted resources flow.