Fear not: this is not going to be a post filled with phrases like “be passionate”, “be a good entrepreneur” and all the usual clichés about entrepreneurs. They are obviously “self-motivated workers”, or they would not be successful. Clearly, they are “problem solvers”, or they would never understand their industry.
What I find most interesting about entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial spirit is the quirkier side of their personalities. They tend to be boredom-prone outsiders. They get into trouble, then (usually) bounce back. Their so-called “passion” generally borders on outright eccentricity.
When I think of the many talented founders or freelancers I know, these are the kinds of traits that make their personalities and businesses so compelling.
With that in mind, here are eight of my favorite signs of a true entrepreneurial spirit:
8 signs that will tell you if you have an entrepreneurial spirit
1. You don’t fit in any other job.
Entrepreneurs are almost always very creative, love to take risks, and ask a lot of questions about everything. Because of this, these people are often seen as stubborn, eccentric, and even demanding when it comes to working at other companies.
The average employee is content to quietly follow the company’s rule book; your average entrepreneur wants to break the rule book and write their own, and then break that too.
Most workers just aren’t cut out for breaking the rule books. If you’re not ready to work for yourself, try working at a smaller company, where entrepreneurial traits are less prominent and independent thinking is often encouraged.
2. You are an expert in multiple disciplines.
At SalesFolk, I had to learn and use a wide variety of job skills to grow my company: writing, coding, designing, selling, financing.
One of the reasons I was able to master so much, in a relatively short time, is that I tend to be naturally curious about most things.
It never felt like “work” when learning a new skill, even if it’s an area I have no experience in (like coding) or don’t particularly like (like sales).
I am not an unusual case. Ask any entrepreneur and they’ll rattle off a list of skills that cover many areas.
3. You will try anything at least once.
Whether it’s new software, an unusual travel destination, or some really weird food, there’s no limit to the new experiences you’re willing to have. This is part of having a “risk on” personality and an entrepreneurial spirit.
It is also a big reason why entrepreneurs succeed in business. They are 100% willing to try out the latest technologies and methods, or go after a client that most would consider “out of reach”.
It may also interest you: 30 sales techniques that will take your profits to another level.
4. You get bored easily.
You’d think that being open to trying anything means you’re never bored, but actually, it’s quite the opposite. Being natural thrill seekers, the entrepreneurial spirit does not like to be comfortable for long. Once they’ve mastered something new, they’re ready to move on to the next challenge.
This type of energy is necessary for any entrepreneur. Sure, it can be inconvenient when you want to review a process and your fellow executives tell you to sit and wait. For the most part, though, getting bored easily is a surprisingly rewarding trait.
5. You often find yourself trying to do everything.
You know how to update website code, edit next email campaign and payroll. Why waste time showing someone else how to do it?
But at a certain point in the growth of a company, you have to transfer some important areas to others. To do this most effectively, surround yourself with people you have absolute faith in, who can see your vision and know how to execute it.
These relationships take a long time to develop, so it’s best to start nurturing them long before you feel too busy to handle everything.
6. You get into trouble frequently.
You don’t need a background in the business world to know that pushing the rules, and sometimes the law, is often a part of success.
Most types of entrepreneurs are perfectly willing to skirt the rules if they see a better way to approach a problem. It’s like ignoring the 70 km/h speed limit on a deserted highway. You know there’s a chance you’ll get caught, but you’ll get to your destination faster if you do it anyway.
Yes, you can take this concept too far and end up in jail. But as long as you’re not engaging in blatantly destructive practices, there are many advantages to the “it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission” approach.
7. You solve your problems frequently.
One of the things I love about the entrepreneurial spirit is its uncanny ability to get out of sticky situations.
In business, we run into problems all the time. Some of them are self-made, like using pirated software in your business to save money and then getting caught.
Sometimes it’s just part of the growth, like a bad financial quarter or the loss of a valued employee without warning. Problems will happen, but one thing is true for all entrepreneurs: they are so resilient that they will find a solution 99.5% of the time.
8. You are humble.
Since this is a post about entrepreneurship, I won’t say that you must have this trait to be successful in business. However, every person I know who runs a highly successful business constantly keeps their ego in check. They surround themselves with advisors and also give their employees a voice in the company.
Think about it: No one wants to work for the person whose favorite hobby is telling others how wrong their ideas are. True entrepreneurs know that their success is the result of a single vision, but of many minds.
And remember, if you are really interested in creating your own business, you can purchase our book “How to create a company while working: Discover how to manage your time, manage your money and motivate yourself while creating a company and working for another” , where you will find all the information you need to found your own company, without having to leave your job.
