A couple years ago, the concept that everyone will eventually have to become an entrepreneur went viral on social media. Forbes attempted to explain the idea in Why Everyone Will Have to Become an Entrepreneur. Funders and Founders followed that up a year later with an in-depth article offering even more wisdom in Everyone Will Have to Become an Entrepreneur. If that is true, there is still one question. Do you have what it takes to be your own boss?
I’ve been an entrepreneur for 15 years. I can remember having a “regular job” and how different it was. If you get a taste of success as an entrepreneur, I can promise you, you’ll never want to go back. You can’t go back. It becomes part of who you are. It’s a way of life – a way of thinking differently.
Not everyone is naturally cut out to be an entrepreneur though. In order to be successful, you have to be good at managing money, managing your energy and managing your goals and expectations. You have to be a self-starter and possess solid leadership skills.
You also have to have a tolerance for risk and failure, which a lot of people can’t stomach. You have to be focused and confident, yet still remain humble and grateful. You have to be impeccably disciplined, yet know when to be flexible and adaptable.
Most of all, you can’t be threatened by sales, marketing or networking. Sales are the backbone of any business, and it’s a skill that is absolutely essential for successful entrepreneurship.
If you are considering becoming your own boss, make sure you choose a business or industry that you love. You’ll get bored with it all if you don’t choose something you are passionate about.
You may look at everything I’ve typed and think that it wouldn’t be worth it to attempt entrepreneurship. After the roller coaster ride I’ve been on during my entrepreneurial journey over the past 15 years, I can respect that.
However, as the Forbes article I’ve linked in the beginning of this article explains, I do think it’s important for everyone to have a plan B. That could be a small business on the side, a website earning money or even an online store. After all, you never know when your plan B will have to suddenly morph into your primary income.
I thought this flowchart by Gryffin was cute in a cheeky kind of way. The information in it is a bit obvious, but it’s still fun to follow the lines in the flowchart to the end to see if you’d be a good boss for yourself. It will give you a few giggles along the way too. Have fun!
Photo credit: Just Deon
