Why Is Everyone NOT Cut Out To Be An Entrepreneur?

In the online business world, it is an easy thing to recognize the fact that there are entrepreneurs and there are opportunists. Unfortunately, it does appear that the number of opportunists far outweigh the number of entrepreneurs.

One is tempted most times to ask, why are the majority not entrepreneurs? Why are there more of those who are always jumping from one business opportunity to the other without any appreciable success? Why is the number of opportunists who are quick to take advantage of the gullible more out there?

The answers to these questions could be traced to the fact that not everyone is an entrepreneur. This is what account for the high number of struggling internet marketers, though the internet has removed a whole lot of barriers when it comes to building a successful business.

But Who Really Is An Entrepreneur?

According to Wikipedia, an entrepreneur is:

“One who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods”. This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response to a perceived opportunity. The most obvious form of entrepreneurship is that of starting new businesses (referred as Startup Company).”

From the above you can readily understand that there are particular things that makes one an entrepreneur. These are the character traits that have transformed ordinary men to become extraordinary in the world of business. Just as the popular cliché, “Your attitude determines your altitude!” these character traits are the internal “mechanisms” that causes the entrepreneur to defile all odds, step out of the comfort zone and push on to build and grow flourishing businesses.

Character Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

Many believe that entrepreneurs are born and not made. But that is far from the truth! Studies show that anyone can be a successful entrepreneur. However, that doesn’t mean entrepreurship is for everyone. For anyone to thrive as an entrepreneur there are specific character traits that one should be ready to imbibe. The following are 10 character traits that have helped many to succeed in the highly-competitive world of business as entrepreneurs.

1.  Self-Confidence – In the highly competitive business world you must have self confidence. You must trust in yourself. Believe that you have the powers and capabilities to make your business work. Of course, entrepreneurship is not alien to failure and disappointments but your attitude to these will determine if you're an entrepreneur or not. Self confidence will help you in times of difficulties to look within yourself so that you can find the drive and persistence to pursue your enterprise. It will also give you the determination and the courage, to face any adversity and tackle any problems that may be encountered in the world of business. The competitive business world is not a place for the half-hearted. You must be dogged in your desire to achieve your goal.

2.  A Desire For Independence – This is truly the most common denominator of all entrepreneurs. They “hate” the idea of a boss never wanting to labour under the gaze of anyone, no matter highly placed. They are never ready to leave their future in the hands of someone else. They would rather think for themselves than let any other do the thinking for them! They are self starters who desire to control their future. They have a purpose and are prepare to work hard to achieve that purpose – freedom!

3.  Creativity – This is another trait that is really common with entrepreneurs. They understand that competition is an everyday part of the business world and you cannot afford to be complacent and un-creative. They accept the fact that you must develop an aggressive creativity to stay ahead of the competition as an entrepreneur. They believe that, you should be able to create or introduce new ideas as well as find new ways to solve problems or explore new ventures.  Entrepreneurs, like every other creative people, are naturally curious, inquisitive, bright and highly flexible when thinking. They keenly observe their environment and have an eye for spotting new trends that could potentially become a business opportunity. 

4.  Goal-Oriented – Goal setting is the life of an entrepreneur! He values organization in a business endeavor and focuses all his efforts towards achieving his set goal. The good entrepreneur will always systematize his/her operations so that less time and resources are consumed in achieving the set goal.

5.  Visionary – An entrepreneur has a vision for his future and he/she is guided by this vision in everything he/she does in the business. This vision may be for short, middle or long term purposes, but ultimately they are geared towards the business success.

6.  Risk-Taker – Every entrepreneur is quite aware that loss and failure can never be divorced from any business endeavor. This is why an entrepreneur with a mind for success is never afraid to take calculated risks.  They are prepared to trust their hunches and act on them knowing that great business ideas sometimes start as a hunch. However, you must understand that an entrepreneur’s risk-taking does not depend on luck but on sheer effort and hard work.

7.  Perseverance and Hard Work – These are perhaps two of the most important entrepreneurial traits. In the world of business, there can be no real success without perseverance and hard work.  Entrepreneurs must have the courage to face failure and start again no matter what. As in all fields of endeavor, the characteristic of a successful entrepreneur is in never giving up and in picking up the pieces and continuing the journey even if failure momentarily obstructs the way.

8.  Commitment – An entrepreneur will not achieve success if he/she gives up at the first sign of trouble. Commitment to his business and to its success springs from the urge to achieve the set goal. An entrepreneur takes his/her business idea as a tender baby and he nurture and care for it just as one. To do this there must be commitment on the part of the entrepreneur else that business idea would be abandoned for another!

9.  Honesty and Honor – Another very important mark of a good entrepreneur is his being honest and honorable in all his business dealings and interpersonal relationships – whether it is between business partners, employees, peers and investors.

10.  Value For Leisure – Hard work and determination are very important values every entrepreneur must have. However, a good entrepreneur knows when it’s time to take a step back from all the rigors of business and enjoy some downtime with their family. Besides, we all do need a little relaxation to refresh the body and mind before plunging back into the challenging (and stressful) world of business.

Conclusion: Consider these traits very carefully and then ask yourself, do you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? If you truly have the above mentioned entrepreneurial traits and qualities one thing is sure, you definitely have what it takes to succeed in the world of business. Of course this is not a guarantee but with these characteristics, you have just the right ingredients for success. All you need do is to find the right mix of these values, excellent timing and, of course, faith in yourself and you can be sure that you will end up a successful entrepreneur.

Over to you: Do you believe you truly need to be an entrepreneur in order to succeed online? Don't you think anyone can start and build a successful business online without being an entrepreneur? Share your views with us in your comments below.

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