KEY TRAITS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPS: Discover your Entrepreneurial Spirit

'An entrepreneur is not driven by mere job security alone but by a hunger for control over his or her career, life and ultimately future.' 

One day while travelling through Canada I came across a pamphlet, which spoke about the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. Being an avid lover of design my first reaction was wow that’s a cool brochure because of its unique presentation. My second thought was not as immediately liberating but left me pondering. “Do I possess the characteristics needed to be a successful entrepreneur? This question opened up a profound level of introspection for me but one I think every entrepreneur should ask themselves.

As a result I began to look closely at and compare successful entrepreneurs. I also searched for commonality in traits not just among successful international entrepreneurs but also amongst the many successful entrepreneurs we have right here in the Caribbean.

Being an entrepreneur represents the quest to reach personal and financial dreams while maintaining autonomy. An entrepreneur is not driven by mere job security alone but by a hunger for control over his or her career, life and ultimately future. That in itself is a basic indicator of an entrepreneurial spirit but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. A solid entrepreneurial spirit is built on a variety of things such as talent, attitudes, mind sets and of course vision.

Examining some of the most predominant qualities of successful entrepreneurs against a careful honest analysis of our own personalities can reveal much. It can be helpful in enabling us to discover the strengths we do have while encouraging us to develop the traits we need. We all have the ability to develop any of these traits and just like any successful enterprise it requires your ability to “stick to it” despite the odds. You can use the few traits listed here (as they are many more) as a simple insight and compass into the direction you may need to reach your entrepreneurial goals.

7 COMMON TRAITS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS 

Passionate & Determined.  It is very uncommon when reading about any successful entrepreneur, that you will hear them say they absolutely hate what they do. Actually it is quite the opposite and some entrepreneurs are insanely passionate about their field of interest. This passion is also what helps to fuel their drive to keep on going. They also require the acute resolve and willpower found in perseverance in order to reach their goals and achieve success.

Highly Confident. All entrepreneurs have fears, it’s only natural but that doesn’t mean they can’t be confident about their business or their ability. An entrepreneur without a healthy dose of confidence will ultimately struggle to succeed. Many successful entrepreneurs may even come across as egotistical and arrogant but when you look behind the smoke you realize that their confidence is but a pivotal cog in their entire mechanism.

Energetic & Opportunistic. Without those two traits things could easily get mundane and tiresome. Successful entrepreneurs find ways to keep their energy levels up in order to do the many things they are required. Many times they may be viewed as busy bodies as they tussle to and fro managing hectic schedules. Also, successful entrepreneurs don’t wait for opportunity to knock they go knocking on every prospective door and create opportunities. They are proactive not “post-active”.

Adaptable & Optimistic. Business is dynamic and challenges, obstacles and setbacks are all a part of the game. Human nature may cause you to be saddened by challenges and setbacks but your mentality and reaction toward them will determine how far you go. Successful entrepreneurs must be able to adapt to the changing nature of business and they must maintain their optimism by refocusing and reminding themselves of their goals and vision.

Problem Solver. Successful Entrepreneurs are those who have found a unique way to solve a problem or answer a need whether it be a product, service or business challenge. They see challenges and problems as great opportunities and many believe that the solution in always embedded in the problem.

High Risk Tolerance. Being an entrepreneur can yield great rewards but with that potentiality comes great risk. Successful entrepreneurs do not run from risk or resort to comfort zones but they take calculated and instinctual steps beyond the norms in order to achieve their goals. They also soberly accept that failure is always a possibility but never means game over.

Avid learner. Successful entrepreneurs are always finding ways to develop themselves and their knowledge base. They understand that as things evolve and grow so must they. They also tend to surround themselves with people who either know more than they do or who know things outside of their

Source: http://www.entrepreneurspirit.org/key-traits-of-successful-entreps/