Get Beyond The Facts About Being an Entrepreneur

You're an entrepreneur, so you've heard lot's of "facts about being an entrepreneur." I'd like to help you get beyond the facts and achieve your dreams. Entrepreneurs do share many traits, but outsiders seeking the definition of an entrepreneur often focus on the wrong things.

We've all heard that entrepreneurs are natural leaders, extremely self-confident and workaholics. Occasionally, these facts ring true, and many entrepreneurs find the discrepancies between these "facts" and their own sense of themselves disheartening.

However, what makes an entrepreneur successful is not willingness to accept the status quo. At one time or another, you've probably been called impulsive, a dreamer, a risk-taker -- labels likely meant as insults. You know you have vision, crave excitement, go with your gut and think differently -- labels you take pride in.

Beyond The Facts About Being an Entrepreneur

If I were profiling an entrepreneur, I might be tempted to use labels too. But that would be a mistake. Entrepreneurs have been poked, prodded and measured. You've been studied and categorized. And yes, you've been labeled. For every rule meant to describe the ideal entrepreneur, there are numerous examples of successful entrepreneurs who break that rule.

Natural leaders? I know entrepreneurs who hate managing people. They started a company only because they couldn't do all the work themselves. Self-confident? You're an entrepreneur -- do you ever have self-doubts? Workaholics? The entrepreneurs I know don't mind hard work, but they started their business to gain freedom, not to chain themselves to a desk.

What Makes an Entrepreneur Successful?

Whether they fit or not, the labels are wrong because they attempt to define something inside you and stick it in one box or another. But this doesn't mean there's no such thing as entrepreneur characteristics. The entrepreneur's mind IS different, VERY different.

The important traits aren't that you're the first born in your family, that you graduated from college or that you have an extensive knowledge of business management. These are all common myths about entrepreneurs, and yet we all know successful entrepreneurs who don't fit any of these "boxes."

Entrepreneur Personality Traits

So what is it that makes a successful entrepreneur? It's the personality traits you share with other entrepreneurs that may hold the key rather than the external signs and trappings many people mistake for the keys to entrepreneurial success. Tell me, does this sound like anyone you know?

• Do you like to explore new ideas and try new things just for the thrill of it?


• Do you rebel against authority and the status quo?


• Are you intuitive, able to quickly make connections and see opportunities others miss?


• Do you adapt easily and quickly to new situations and changing circumstances?


• Do you love a challenge and prefer to tackle the tough problems most people avoid.


• When something captures your interest, do you pursue it relentlessly and let nothing distract you?

If these describe you, then you too have an entrepreneur's mind. There are, of course, other personality traits that accompany these. The more common entrepreneur personality traits include some less desirable qualities.

• Do you have trouble finishing a project once the challenging problems have been solved?


• Do you find it difficult to get or stay organized?


• Are you distractible and let your mind drift from routine tasks or boring conversations?


• Do you procrastinate, especially to avoid tasks that are boring?


• Do you prefer to take things to extremes because it makes you feel more alive?


• Do you space out or daydream when you're not in the thick of things?

These common qualities of an entrepreneur, both the good and the less desirable traits, describe many of my clients. I work with them to tap into the true power of their strengths, and to overcome the stumbling blocks that hold them back.

Successful Entrepreneurs

Another thing my clients have in common is a desire for success. Let me explain why I am uniquely qualified to help you achieve the success you desire. We spoke earlier about labels, and I'm going to bring up one more. These same personality traits are shared by another group of people -- adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Whether you have ADHD or not is irrelevant -- it's just another label after all -- although some studies estimate that diagnosed or not, over half of all entrepreneurs have ADHD now or had it as a child. However, if you share the above personality traits, my special training in coaching adults with ADHD will allow me to help you in many areas where you're struggling, even if you tried other approaches unsuccessfully.

As an entrepreneur, you're not hung up on labels. Neither am I. However, other people may be, so let me assure you that when you work with me, your confidentiality is assured. I offer label-free coaching for entrepreneurs ready to reach for new heights.

Get even more facts about being an entrepreneur and learn about what makes an entrepreneur successful by visiting my special Web site section just for entrepreneurs like you.

Are you ready for success? Your life has a ceiling... an upper limit you cannot break through.