Lessons From Entrepreneurs, Part I

/ Mike Tivey

Looking for better results professionally or personally? There is something to be learned, and applied, from entrepreneurs — those that have the courage and determination to create original ideas, solve the toughest problems, or convince others to buy a new product or service.

The idea of an entrepreneur is more than an episode of ‘Shark Tank.’

If we look at entrepreneur more broadly as an attitude or mindset, we’ll find specific lessons that not only apply to starting businesses, but that can be generally applied in our daily lives.

In Part I, I’d like to explore how developing an entrepreneurial mindset can help us focus more on what (and who) really matters.

The entrepreneurial lesson: care less about what most people think

Statistically it is crazy to be an entrepreneur. More than 50 percent of new businesses fail after 5 years and over 70 percent after 10! Despite the numbers, many entrepreneurs still move forward. Why?

Entrepreneurs focus on their desired outcome and have the vision to see what others can’t– the idea to change ‘the way it’s always been done,’ the solution to cure a disease, or the product or service to revolutionize an industry. Out of necessity they find ways to overcome doubt and uncertainty. They simply care less about what most people think.

Entrepreneurs care about what people think, but they are very selective in who they listen to. Most importantly they listen carefully to their trusted customers. No doubt they seek, and need, constructive feedback from those that matter most. Without customers an entrepreneur doesn’t exist.

We could all benefit from caring less about what most people think. Most people think lots of things. For the most part those things aren’t going to move you forward.

When did that water cooler talk (gossip) ever leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, or motivated? I’m willing to bet that these conversations, over 90% of the time, focus on what’s wrong not what’s right, what’s broken not what’s working, what’s going to fail not what might succeed. It’s human to emphasize the downside — a sophisticated side-effect of evolution meant to ensure we survive, not ensure we thrive.

So, like an entrepreneur, block out the noise most people create. Avoid the water cooler as often as you can and instead interact with and listen carefully to your trusted customers — those that matter most.

Trusted customers? Yes, your trusted customers.

Your trusted customers could be your close friends, your close family, your mentors, your partners, your employees, your boss, your parents, your children, or your spouse. These people aren’t ‘customers’ in a traditional or transactional way, but it’s interesting to think of them in like this for a moment.

Would the results in your personal or professional life be better if you focused more on delivering YOUR BEST for your trusted customers — for those that count on you and matter the most? Would you take those that matter most for granted as often if you viewed your success as connected with their success?

What about simply focusing far less on the 80% of most people and focusing far more on the 20% of people that matter most?

Good entrepreneurs are intelligent enough to know that you can’t be everything to everyone.

What most people think won’t make or break you. What your trusted customers think will. Think like an entrepreneur and get more focused on what (and who) really matters.

 

For more:

If you interested in learning more about how an entrepreneurial mindset applies to far more than only starting businesses, the book recommendation below is the best place to start. It’s a quick, easy read and filled with practical suggestions, questions, tools, and other resources at the end of each chapter. This book was a driving force behind my decision to build a stronger ‘personal brand’ which has included a more deliberate Twitter presence, a revamped LinkedIn page, and a personal blog (which I hope you are enjoying!).

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