Monday, March 2, 2015

The Heart of an Entrepreneur

    Much of what I'm about to tell you is my opinion. However, I think I am being totally honest with myself and you when I tell you that if you do have the heart of an entrepreneur and have never known what or why you felt the way you did; you will know it after reading this, especially if you have been denying yourself the freedom as some of us do.This will be easiest conveyed using some of my own experiences and perspectives.
     As always, those faint of heart need not continue...simply look away now and keep pretending to be "normal" living in the box you've been shoved into over the course of your life... or come with us, where you really belong, where you know you belong, on the journey of a lifetime.
    For those of you who know me a little or know me a lot...allow me to re-introduce myself to you. I have spent much of my life creating and learning business. When I was asked at the age of 8, or what I relate to as second grade in school, what I wanted to do when I grew up, my response without hesitation was "everything." So far I have not achieved that, but I have certainly gotten a fair share of things crossed off my list. 
     My life long entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 9. I have to tell you that it has been the most amazing adventure I have ever been on, and the best part is, everyday is still an adventure!
    My goal in life is to be of service to as many people as I can. By that I mean, to teach and mentor the things in life that I have tasted and learned from and about. We can talk more about that later, but for now let's talk about the heart of entrepreneur... is it you?

    I recently met a new friend, who said to me without hesitation "I've only got one life, one chance." It was as if he looked right into my brain and pulled that quote out. I could do nothing else except smile and agree.
    A common characteristic of an entrepreneur is they are often what the rest of the world may view as 'over achievers.' Over achievers come in all shapes and sizes as well as learning and teaching capacities; not all of them will turn out to have the heart of an entrepreneur. Some of them will simply remain over achievers.
   The very first glimpse of any over achiever often begins shortly after birth. Parents with more than one child, may notice it right away. Parents with only that solitary child may not. It's a crap shoot really. 
     In my own early years, my mother claims that I sang the entire score to the Wizard of Oz; I fondly remember crooning away to all of those lovely tunes, thinking I had to be at least 4 years old. 
    I remember recalling that occasion in front of my mother one day, of the 4 year old me singing. She immediately corrected me, advising that I was only 18 months old. I find that a bit unusual and even a little terrifying. Really? who can string a sensible sentence together at 18 months old?  As strange as some of these occurrences are, across the planet they do happen.
     Take a glimpse into the world of an over achiever/entrepreneur. What unusual and mystifying thing did you do? Perhaps you were caught doing college level math at  age 3 or maybe you showed your mom an easier way to balance the checkbook at 5 years old; devised a water recapture and irrigation system for the farm before you were 10?
     Maybe you have one of your own 'over achievers' right now. One that is reprogramming a computer or replacing the computer's motherboard and has not even reached his/her 8th birthday. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT stick these square pegs into a round hole, they are special and need to be encouraged to pursue their dreams and the art of dreaming itself.
     The second clue is that they want to build or do something extraordinary to help people or humanity.That's a classic entrepreneurial detail. For the love of Einstein, Ford and humanity, just let it happen!
    The true meaning of entrepreneur as Meriam-Wenster defines it - One who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. The word itself is a derivative of the French word entreprendre, which means to undertake
    Assuming or undertaking the risk, does translate into taking responsibility. Essentially someone who decides to take the risk must also assume the responsibility for all the systems, the accounting, the sales, the putting together of the teams, employees, and advisers, as well as continuing to support all of the families that that depend on that enterprise to continue.  

    Caring is an essential part of being an entrepreneur; caring about more than just yourself. Understanding the big picture and the future of your business and your employees is an integral part of owning and operating a company that employees more than yourself.  Self employed is another blog altogether. Side note: Just because sometimes you as the business owner may fail, it does not mean you don't care, it just means you may need to start again with a different approach.

     Money is often the resounding answer to anyone who is asked why they would want to own a business. Money is the symptom to what you really want to do. Think of it as similar to a headache. The headache is the symptom of what the real issue is. 
     Let's be completely honest with ourselves; the real truth in our hearts is WHAT the money can provide for most of us. I am often put into clear perspective when people tell me the real reason they do what they do. 
    The reasons we get out of bed everyday are rarely about the money. It's about the truth in our hearts; our individual goals, wants, needs, families, passions, beliefs. The money simply represents what we can have and achieve. 
     Many people in the next few months and years will begin on the entrepreneurial journey seeking answers to the trials, tribulations, and issues that they now face or know they will face in the future.   Many will wait patiently for the return of the 'way things were" and many will never give their once deafening dreams a second thought, and simply continue to do what they've always done. 
     If you want something different, commit to making things different, beginning with the one thing you can change, yourself. Simply ask yourself  "What's in your heart?"
 


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