Think Like an Entrepreneur, Win Like One

An entrepreneurial mindset is, of course, a must for those starting their own business. However, thinking like an entrepreneur can benefit you, whether building a business, running your household, or anything in between.

Entrepreneurs are resilient and determined. They seize opportunities and don’t let fears or mistakes hold them back.

You don’t have to be born with an entrepreneurial mindset (almost no one is) to start thinking like one. And you can develop these skills at any age.

​In this entrepreneurship mindset guide, you’ll discover how to hone an industrial spirit for improved resiliency, opportunities, and success. Let’s start with how entrepreneurial thinking benefits you.

Thinking like someone who starts their own business has far-reaching benefits. This top success secret can help you live a more productive and fulfilling life.

​You’ll become more engaged in ways that make you an energetic participant in life instead of a passive bystander. Thinking like an entrepreneur helps you become more:

Challenges become stepping stones as you learn to embrace uncertainty and change like an entrepreneur. You’ll feel more accomplished and satisfied by meeting goals and overcoming obstacles.

Entrepreneurial thinking improves your personal and career growth, too. You become more of a team builder and team player. You explore new ideas that drive innovation, development, and solutions.

Here’s what else you gain: clarity and power to influence outcomes. Your can-do attitude and additional skills help you overcome obstacles.

​You want it. You need it. Now, let’s discuss how to get it.

You can develop entrepreneurial habits that lead to a rewarding and successful life, no matter your circumstances. Here’s how:

Entrepreneurs continuously learn. As the world changes, you must be in the know to stay on top of your game. Get curious and open to new ideas and skills.

​To become a lifelong learner, read and sign up for classes and seminars. Consider a membership in an online book club about success. Travel and listen to podcasts. Embrace networking opportunities. Treat experiences and mistakes as lessons. Recognize that everyone you meet has something to teach you.

Entrepreneurs know what they want and develop well-laid plans to get it. They set clear goals and take deliberate action.

​Entrepreneurs set SMART goals, and you can, too. SMART is an acronym for:

Goals are like the bullseye on a target. They provide a place to aim and gauge how well you did.

Entrepreneurs may set lofty long-term goals, but they also break those goals down into smaller, achievable steps. They build a pathway of stepping stones on their way to a destination, and then they set a new goal.

Incorporate goal-setting into your life by writing down specific goals, making them measurable and doable. Next, ensure that your goal is meaningful in your life. Finally, make it time-bound with a due date.

For example, a good-quality SMART goal might look like: “I want to make $100,000 in sales this year.” Break that goal into smaller steps, clarifying how you plan to sell more each week or month.

​Review your goals regularly. Adjust them as necessary, remembering that your goal was simply a best guess at the time. Celebrate all your accomplishments along the way.

Entrepreneurs encounter speed bumps and roadblocks on their journeys. Creativity and innovation save the day during those moments (and even when things run smoothly).

You don’t have to accept what is when you can imagine what can be. Creativity and innovation help you problem-solve, find opportunities, and add value.

Work on broadening your horizons to boost creativity and innovation. Expose yourself to different situations, cultures, and viewpoints. Learn more about your interests and industry.

​Question, brainstorm, think outside the box, journal, and courageously make mistakes. Consider joining a mastermind group, like Secrets of Success, to boost your problem-solving skills.

Change how you view difficulties to cultivate resiliency, like riddles waiting to be solved. Embrace challenges. Treat them as opportunities to grow, learn, and think outside the box.

​Focus on solutions. Ask questions. Challenge the status quo. Get different perspectives and insights. Remember, you may not have the answers now, but you can find an answer (known as a growth mindset).

“No man is an island.” In other words, don’t expect to achieve your goals alone. You will need help. Learn to delegate tasks and work well with others.

​Build collaboration skills by seeking out teamwork opportunities. Practice effective communication and engaged listening. Learn to look for strengths in others so you can more easily delegate responsibilities. Build relationships on trust and respect, adding value wherever and whenever possible.

In addition to the above traits, entrepreneurs possess other qualities that help them succeed and overcome challenges. These include:

No one will care more about your money than you. Consult with a trusted fiduciary financial planner, but don’t unquestioningly trust anyone with your money. Learn all you can about financial matters and management.

Skillfully manage others by controlling your own emotions. Practice seeing things from other points of view. Think about how your actions affect others and outcomes.

Set aside time to think about your decisions and how they impacted your results and other people. Determine what you can learn from and what you can improve on.

Thinking like an entrepreneur benefits more than entrepreneurs. This mindset helps anyone who wants to be more of anything: more resilient, creative, intuitive, or effective.

​Sharpen your entrepreneurial thinking skills for a more rewarding life.