A Life of an Entrepreneur

Written by Leigh Martinuzzi

Not everyone is made out for a life of an entrepreneur. I am not an entrepreneur! I feel I am more of a wantrepreneur. Whatever the case, from an external perspective the idea of being an entrepreneur looks desirable. Freedom to pursue your interests and passions. Be your own boss and make a handsome living in the process.

In this article, I attempt to answer the questions of what it takes to be an entrepreneur? How do I know if I’m an entrepreneur? And is this lifestyle the career path for me?

Speaking with Jeet Banerjee recently he described some symptoms of being an entrepreneur. A few you may be familiar however the one that comes to my mind is an eagerness to become your own boss or an inability to work with others. Jeet suggests unhappiness, a lack of fulfilment, decreased motivation and a tendency to watch the clock are all familiar to those with the itch to be an entrepreneur.

If any of those resonate with you then perhaps it’s time to take a leap into the world of entrepreneurship. Well, I am not sure if it’s as simple a decision as that. The reason I suggest this is because if 85% of the workforce on average are disengaged. That indicates that there is a high level of unfulfilled and likely unmotivated employees. And I don’t believe that means that 85% of us are made for a life of an entrepreneur.

On top of this, who among us doesn’t watch the clock when we are dissatisfied with what we are doing? When we are disinterested in what we do we seek ways to escape. It may explain an increased addiction to our phones, reliance on drug use or other escapism techniques. These symptoms do not only belong to those with the entrepreneur spark within us. It may highlight that many other elements of our life need improvement.

Entrepreneurship is tough. It’s not a ride in the park. There is a great deal of responsibility and risk that comes with starting your own business. If you are unhappy in your current occupation taking up the challenge of becoming an entrepreneur may not be the best first step.

An entrepreneur is a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope for profit. That is apparently a lot of responsibility. Your work life will no longer be 9 to 5 but instead a 24 hours, 7 days a week. I’ve spoken to many business owners, and not one person has said it’s easy. They claim it consumes their lives.

Done right, however, many do, and you can create the kind of lifestyle and business you desire. Excellent management, productive systems, clear vision, proper operations and smart marketing can make any business thrive. Are you still eager? Then I applaud you.

Next, ask yourself, what is my motive? The answer should fill you with passion and excitement. If the answer is an external motivation and not something sourced within, it may not be sustainable. You need to connect with your purpose.

If you are only chasing the money or any falsely held expectation that somehow life will be sipping pina-coladas on some beach in Hawaii then think again. Whatever you pursue must give you a significant sense of meaning. It must fill you with joy. And with passion, you will manage to push through challenges you meet along the way.

Once you’ve figured out your purpose, it’s time to get started. Do you jump all in or do you slide in like an old man clambering into a hot bath? It entirely depends on your current circumstance. I am a big fan of the sink or swim approach, but if you have responsibilities or wish to reduce the risk, a gentle approach may be best.

Test and experiment. I wrote an article on this, found here. The concept requires that you basically start out with the minimal viable product (MVP). What is the most basic form of your business idea that will allow you to test one of two things? One, it’s a worthwhile idea. Something others will benefit from. And two, that you’ll enjoy doing it for some time to come.

Once you’ve tested it and sure it a win for you and a win for those you serve, hustle! Massive action is what will set you apart from the competition. Many of the successful business people I’ve spoken to said that starting out they were in no way unique or special. What they told separated them from the competition was that they were always willing to work harder.

Be prepared. The life of an entrepreneur, at least until you get BIG, can be lonely. Having support is important. Find groups, family members and friends that can be your supporting arm. You will find yourself on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. At one time things will be going well, and then next you may feel as if nothing is working. Surround yourself with good people. An essential piece of advice for all of us in life.

Keep going. Don’t give up! The best way to avoid collapse is by keeping up with healthy practices. Make sure you still have a life. Exercise. Take time out to be with friends and family. Rest! Eat good food. If we are overwork and stressed our hormones and chemicals become imbalanced, leading us on unhealthy paths. Poor diet, drugs, alcohol, consumerism.

And finally, remain open-minded. Allow others to help you. Ask questions. If you’ve started in one direction but feel it needs to move another way, shift. Adapt quick. This is your business and your life. It’s up to you to make it work. Don’t be narrow in your vision or perspectives. It will limit your success.

Is a life of an entrepreneur for you? Go out and have fun with it. We have one shot at this life, and I totally believe we need to go after what we desire. What’s the worst that could happen?

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.