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Entrepreneurs the 4 key cornerstones to success

Written by: Paul Ineson

Article Overview: The article is written for start-up entrepreneurs who are serious about making “success” their only option. Leaving behind the security and benefits of working as an employee, discover what makes the difference between a successful entrepreneur and a struggling entrepreneur who continues thinking and acting as an employee (entrepreneur).

Entrepreneurs the 4 key cornerstones to success

The article is written for start-up entrepreneurs who are serious about making “success” their only option. Leaving behind the security and benefits of working as an employee, discover what makes the difference between a successful entrepreneur and a struggling entrepreneur who continues thinking and acting as an employee (entrepreneur).

Nearly all entrepreneurial individuals on leaving their employment and starting-up their own business ask themselves the one big question; “How do I become successful?”

The definition of success is different for different people – look at the list below and see which applies to you:

• a small regular client base
• financial freedom
• independence
• a creative outlet
• status
• making serious money
• happiness

If you have previously been in employment for a while, your mental habits and responses may erode the evolving entrepreneur instincts and drive. Success may continue to feel as if it is mainly material “perks”, financial bonus, status and an appreciative boss.

New start-up entrepreneurs naturally want clients or customers and struggle with the usual different methods to find them – free workshops, networking, referrals from friends, previous business contacts, all with mixed results.

An aspiring individual who decides to be an entrepreneur wants control over their life and their future, they have decided to create a unique contribution to society. Often this means becoming entrepreneurial by creating their own business or improving an existing product or service.

Successful entrepreneurs see things differently to start-up business people who continue to think and act like an employee. And start-up business people, who are focused on long-term success, adding value to society and being free to think and create, need to think like successful entrepreneurs.

To be an entrepreneur is a decision, unlike the skills required to be an accountant or dentist, or teacher. A decision to focus long-term, look for ways to improve current services or products, be positive – learning from setbacks and be driven to achieve personal best standards and be professionally free.

Start-up entrepreneurs who act like employees do much the same activity-type things to successful entrepreneur. Answer these questions to see which camp you are working from. The difference is how you think about choices.

• What is most important – regular income or financial freedom?
• Does or would a good salary and company car give you peace of mind?
• What attracts you – a high paid job and status or potential unlimited income?
• Would you be happy with comfort and working for another or your own long-term vision to change society?
• Do you believe in yourself to succeed? or ‘feel’ successful from other people and external recognition?

Both the (employee) entrepreneur and the successful entrepreneur want security and financial reward, both see the benefits and dangers of each approach, only their reality is opposite. Your answers to the above may indicate which is your present reality?

The four key cornerstones to go from an employee to a successful entrepreneur are:

1. Buoyancy (confidence in yourself)
2. Cash-Flow (enough for 12 months)
3. Leverage
4. Long-Tern Vision

Buoyancy keeps you going beyond failures and turns set backs into learning opportunities. Every set-back will demand a deep reservoir of inner buoyancy and confidence.
Cash-flow helps reduce stress and pays the bills. It keeps you and you family in good mental and emotional health to stop slipping back into “looking” for a regular pay package.
Leverage will make the difference between success and stopping at the gate. Leverage is the tool to connect you to your market and have people buy your products and services.
Long-term vision gives personal meaning and purpose to all the small (and big) struggles day by day. Long-tern vision is your stake for the world, the reminder to yourself of the unique contribution and value you will add to society.

Fear has proved to be both an excuse to stop and a motivator to achieve. Deciding to move forward means facing uncertainty and the pressures from family and friends to return to old ways. Remember some costs are not worth the price of success – your health, your family and your partner.

An entrepreneur will develop and build a sustainable business from their technical expertise. They encounter many failures and use these to develop a better business for their clients. A successful entrepreneur will transcend from paid employee to independence and financial freedom – from being paid for a job to being paid their worth.

Most challenging and most importantly, an entrepreneur will transform their inner psyche from a person looking for financial and material reward to a business person creating a richer, more rewarding world for others to live in. An important distinction!

Successful Entrepreneurs are powerful actors co-creating in their own play on the stage called life.

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