Tweet

The Entrepreneur Vs. The Victim

Guest post by: Michael Hume

Article Overview: There are basically two types of people out there in the business world. Even though I'm aware that we all have both types within us, and that we might lean more or less in our dominant direction as circumstances change in our lives, I've learned that one or the other type dominates each of us. I'm talking about the Entrepreneur, and the Victim....

The Entrepreneur Vs. The Victim

I've Met Too Many Business Owners Who Weren't Entrepreneurs I love working with Entrepreneurs. These days, every one of my clients is one. Most own their own business... a few don't. But they all have the spirit that defines the Entrepreneur: initiative, inspiration, commitment, and dedication. They have Big Ideas, and a general passion to create something out of nothing, to help the world be a better place, and to create wealth for themselves and others while doing it.

There are basically two types of people out there in the business world. Even though I'm aware that we all have both types within us, and that we might lean more or less in our dominant direction as circumstances change in our lives, I've learned that one or the other type dominates each of us. I'm talking about the Entrepreneur, and the Victim.

Victims sit around and wait for things to happen to them. Entrepreneurs make things happen, every day, for themselves and for others.

Victims rely on others (primarily Entrepreneurs) to take care of them. Entrepreneurs take care of themselves, take care of others, and generally take care of business.

Victims complain... Entrepreneurs proclaim. Victims criticize... Entrepreneurs capitalize. Victims always have problems. Entrepreneurs create solutions.

Without Entrepreneurs, Victims would be out of business... but the reverse does not apply. And that's why I'm happy to have the luxury of choosing my clientele, and why a person who can't pull themselves out of their victimhood is not qualified to be my client.

It's not arrogance. It's specialization. I help Entrepreneurs realize their dreams, and accomplish even more than they thought they could. There are lots of coaches out there who try hard to help Victims, and the better ones even do. (The unscrupulous ones play on their clients' victimhood, but there aren't too many of those out there making a living in coaching.) If you are a Victim, find one of those generous people! Or, better yet, change your mindset to one of Entrepreneurial initiative, and then anyone (including yourself) can be a great coach for you.

Think about your own mindsets and behaviors. Have someone who knows you hold up the mirror of feedback so that you can fairly evaluate yourself. Are you really the hard-charging Entrepreneur you think you are? Do you back up bold thinking with bold action? Are you willing to lay it all on the line for your mission?

Unfortunately, too many business owners are involved with non-serious online opportunities. They have been told they can invest a few dollars for a "start up kit," work an hour or two a day, and watch the money flow in. It doesn't work that way. Serious entrepreneurs who make serious TEAM investments (time, energy, attention, and money) can create incredibly lucrative businesses online that help lots of people and make lots of money. And, once the business is up-and-running, it is possible to leverage technology to allow the operator to live a true lifestyle of freedom while running a truly lucrative business. But success in any business requires the spirit of an Entrepreneur. Too many "business owners" behave more like Victims, waiting around for good things to happen to them, and ready to blame "the system" when their business (predictably) fails.

If your zeal is lacking a little, you can fix that. Take personal responsibility to dig into your own motivations, your own beliefs (especially about yourself), and your own values. Renew your passion for your mission, and you'll find that even the tough world in which we live will be unable to knock you down.

Related Articles
  Take Care Of Your Business, IX
  Take Care Of Your Business, XIII
  Have You Counted Your Blessings Lately?
  Entrepreneurs Are Optimists
  Take Care Of Your Business
  Take Care Of Your Business, XII
  Take Care Of Your Business, VI
  Leadership Stereotypes: Playing the Victim
  You Could Be One Of The "Wealthy"
  Be An Entrepreneur This Year
  Appreciate Your Adversaries
  Appreciate Your Adversaries, II
  Appreciate Your Adversaries, V
  Take Care Of Your Business, XI
  Take Care Of Your Business, X
  Be The Inspiration You Want From Others
  Appreciate Your Adversaries, IX
  Personal Responsibility: Keep Yourself Happy
  Don't Be Defeated By Inaction
  It's Hard Work, It's Luck, And It's Faith

Article Tags: entrepreneurship, health wealth and happiness, inspirational leadership, personal responsibility



Related Forum Posts
Young Entrepreneur Organization - All You Need To Know - The Young Entrepreneur Organization (YEO) is a global community of entrepreneurs. This non-profit organization aims to make its members successful in their business through networking and training programs. This article tells you all you need to know about the Young Entrepreneur Organization, and the opportunities it makes available to young entrepreneurs from across the world. Young Entrepreneur Organization: Facts. 1) The Young Entrepreneur Organization has 5,000 members in 35 countries across the world. 2) The organization was founded in 1987. Since then, it has helped many aspiring entrepreneurs with training facilities and getting in touch with the right people. 3) The average age of the members of Young Entrepreneur Organization is 34 years. 4) In order to be eligible for the membership of Young Entrepreneur Organization, you need to be under the age of 40; and be the founder or partner in a business that has annual sales of more than $1 million. World Entrepreneurs Organization: A part of the Young Entrepreneur Organization, the World Entrepreneur Organization and takes the message of Young Entrepreneur Organization to many additional places around the world. This organization is especially active in the area of education and training for entrepreneurs. Young Entrepreneur Organization: Objectives. 1) To foster entrepreneurship. 2) To support Young Entrepreneur Organization members by providing them the chance to network and grow. 3) To provide resources to its members so that they can benefit the economy through innovative business ideas. 4) According to Young Entrepreneur Organization, you get to share your story with those who have had similar experiences, and thus gain insight into the best principles of entrepreneurship. Young Entrepreneur Organization: Facilities. At the Young Entrepreneur Organization, you get to meet and share views with like-minded people and fellow entrepreneurs. In order to facilitate a free exchange of ideas and growth for its member, the Young Entrepreneur Organization provides the following facilities to members. 1) Forum: Join the forum of the Young Entrepreneur Organization and start networking with entrepreneurs from across the world. Each forum group has 12 members who come together regularly to share their experiences and discuss issues related to entrepreneurship. 2) Mentor: In conjunction with the World Presidents’ Organization, the Young Entrepreneur Organization guides and counsels young entrepreneurs through a mentor program by the best business leaders. 3) Social Innovation: The Social Innovators Program involves Young Entrepreneur Organization member who wish to do something for about social issues. It helps members become socially aware citizens and gives them the opportunity to do something for their community. 4) Marketplace: The marketplace allows members to post business offers and receive replies from other members. These are just some of the facilities you will get if you become part of the Young Entrepreneur Organization. Others, like meeting prospective clients through trade shows, and special tools to network and meet with the right people are also part of the YEO facilities.
How to create BUZZ? - As a small startup we need to be able to create Buzz around our product, but we haven't had tons of success. Despite being written up in the Toronto Sun, Metro News, Entrepreneur Start Ups Magazine and listed as a resource in Entrepreneur Magazine people in Toronto still don't know about us. Any ideas on what I can do to get people talking? Preferable ones that don't have a large price tag attached? Any ideas would be appreciated. Our URL is included in my signature.
Re: Top 50 Lists - Hi Evan, How about "Top 50": -Inventor Blogs To Watch -Franchising Blogs To Watch -Business Book Review Blogs -Women Entrepreneur Blogs -Young Entrepreneur Blogs
Re: EC Forum Badge? - [quote="Evan":3r7km12d]I'm not sure I understand your point about the caps - you're saying everything should be capitalized except for Entrepreneur Forums?[/quote:3r7km12d] This is exactly how I think it should be as far as capitalization... [quote:3r7km12d]I'm a moderator for the Entrepreneur Forums, a friendly community of entrepreneurs. Click here to learn more![/quote:3r7km12d]
Write ups not successful? - [quote:2kry5vyo] Despite being written up in the Toronto Sun, Metro News, Entrepreneur Start Ups Magazine and listed as a resource in Entrepreneur Magazine people in Toronto still don't know about us. [/quote:2kry5vyo] At the risk of sounding cruel...which I do not mean to be... ifyou're getting those kinds of writeups, people in Toronto [i:2kry5vyo]must [/i:2kry5vyo]know about you. It might be that you're just not offering a service that the majority of them want or need. Time to expand into other areas or just change fields entirely?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Adapting to Technology and the Internet

BUILDING A HIGH PERFORMING TEAM

Life, Conflict and Work

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.