# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Everyone looks for a picture on the internet! Upload to the PADLET! individual work + / - collection about being an entrepreneur Discussing the importance of the topic Thank you! The success https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_tasner_how_i_became_an_entrepreneur_at_66#t-404544

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
5 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Risk-taking is almost synonymous with entrepreneurship. To start and support your own business, you'll have to put your career, personal finances and even your mental health at stake.

For most, the prospect of making your own decisions and being in charge of your own destiny is worth it. But if you're going to be successful as an entrepreneur, you have to be prepared for the risks and challenges that come with it.

The following are seven risks that every entrepreneur must take, from ideation to ongoing development:

1. Abandoning the steady paycheck.

Before you venture into the world of business ownership, you'll first have to say goodbye to your current job, and in some cases, your career. Some people have the luxury of a backup plan -- an option to resume your career in case things don't go well in your independent business.
Related: Study: It's Better to Start a Business While You're Still Employed Elsewhere
But for most starting entrepreneurs, the choice is a risky plunge. There's no guarantee of your personal income, especially in the first few months and years of your company's existence, and you'll probably be too busy to secure or sustain an alternative line of income.

2. Sacrificing personal capital.

Some entrepreneurs are able to start their ventures relying solely on external funding. That usually means a collection of angel investor contributions, government grants and loans, and results from crowdfunding campaigns. But many entrepreneurs also have to dive into their own bank accounts and personal savings to get things started.

You may not need to completely liquidate your nest egg, but you will have to front at least some personal money -- and that means abandoning, or at least diminishing, your safety net.

3. Relying on cash flow.

Even if you have a line of credit, securing a regular cash flow is difficult and stressful. You can position yourself for a profitable year, but still struggle with the day-to-day necessities if your revenue doesn't match or exceed your costs in a timely manner.

Bills can add up quickly, and if you don't have enough revenue to support your outgoing cash flow, you could run short of money for paychecks or be forced to dip into emergency funds. Be prepared to address it daily, or at least weekly.

4. Estimating popular interest.

No matter how much research you do or how many tests you complete, you'll never be able to estimate popular interest in your business with perfect accuracy. People are somewhat unpredictable, which could put a giant hole in your otherwise sound plans.

Even when all the data appears to be in your favor, there's a chance you're overestimating the interest in your company, and if your projections are off, your entire financial model could implode.
Related: 7 Truths About Risk I Learned Riding the Rodeo Circuit
5. Trusting a key employee.

When you first start a business, you won't have a full team of employees working for you. Instead, you'll probably have a small, tight-knit group of people working tirelessly together in an effort to get things up and running. You'll have to put an overwhelming amount of trust in them, especially if they have special skills that are hard to find and are willing to start work at a lower salary than the industry standard.

For example, if you hire a single, experienced lead developer to work on your product over the course of a few months, you'll need to have absolute trust in their ability to get the job done on time. Otherwise, your timeline (and your product) could be fatally compromised.

6. Betting on a crucial deadline.

Startups are, by nature, forced into strict timelines for their product launches and milestone goals. Their finances are fragile, and their investors are eager to start seeing the wheels turning. As a result, most entrepreneurs are forced to make multiple goals contingent on a handful of deadlines, and those deadlines become absolutely critical.

Be prepared to stay up at night worrying about your ability to hit those deadlines, and coming up with contingencies if you cannot.

7. Donating personal time (and health).

Entrepreneurship takes a toll on the average person. You'll spend countless hours doing work to make your company successful, and your remaining hours worrying about what you have or have not done thus far. You will lose sleep, you will miss out on personal time, and you will experience much more stress than usual.

The rewards of entrepreneurship often outweigh these personal risks, but you have to be prepared to live this type of lifestyle.

Risks shouldn't steer you away from pursuing entrepreneurship. Instead, see them for what they are: necessary obstacles on a greater path. There's no way to avoid the risks you'll face as an entrepreneur, but by recognizing them, you can prepare for and mitigate them.
Related: How Much Risk Should First-Time Entrepreneurs Take On?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
5 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Risk-taking is almost synonymous with entrepreneurship. To start and support your own business, you'll have to put your career, personal finances and even your mental health at stake. For most, the prospect of making your own decisions and being in charge of your own destiny is worth it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Image credit: eclipse_images | Getty Images

6 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

If you've just started on your quest to entrepreneurship, then you are probably finding it hard to set yourself tasks and goals without an employer or colleague supporting you. On the other hand, if you have been on this adventure for some time now, you have probably come in contact with some bumps in the road that have set you back. You may also find it hard to balance the multitude of entrepreneurial tasks you have with your personal life.

Either way, as an entrepreneur, it's easy to lose motivation. The key is to not give up and to find ways with which you can lift yourself up on those longer, more grueling days. To help you, I've highlighted 10 ways you can stay motivated as an entrepreneur.

1. Set personal goals

You've probably created your business with specific goals in mind, objectives you want it to achieve, and of course, some core values you want it to live by. The problem is, many who start their own business forget to create their own personal goals. It is crucial that you write down your reasons for becoming an entrepreneur in the first place.

Whether it be on your computer, a piece of paper, or on your phone, have them handy so that you can read them whenever you feel you have lost motivation. Some of the reasons you have chosen to become an entrepreneur could be:

You want to be your own boss

You want to create your own projects

You want the opportunity to grow a business you are passionate about

You want to be able to eventually choose your salary

Related: 6 Apps That Help You Stick to Your Goals
2. Leverage triumphant entrepreneurial stories

There are thousands, if not millions, of success stories about entrepreneurs of all kinds making it in the real world. Use those stories as a source of motivation, and most importantly, learn from them. If you have a specific problem you need to overcome, look at ways others have done it in the past.
Read: 6 Stories of Super Successes Who Overcame Failure
3. Join the "Read With Entrepreneurs Book Club"

Reading can be a great way to temporarily jump into another world and learn new skills. People who read are typically able to better focus their attention, as well as overcome problems in new and creative ways. Online book clubs allow you to do all the above while meeting like-minded people.

Specifically, the " Read with Entrepreneurs Book Club " is where entrepreneurs from various industries regroup to tell their peers about inspirational and motivational books they have read. The Facebook group allows you to share your findings and learn from others while allowing you to discuss all things relating to entrepreneurship and business.
Related: Top 10 Online Book Clubs For Entrepreneurial Inspiration
4. Maintain a healthy routine

Stress is inevitable, but learning how to cope with it is crucial. People often forget to look after themselves physically if they are not feeling well emotionally. However, physical wellness can have a highly positive impact on your mental health, so it is crucial that you:

Maintain a healthy diet

Engage in regular exercise

Get some time to yourself (away from your work)

Related: 11 Tweaks to Your Daily Routine Will Make Your Day More Productive
5. Create a morning routine

To make sure you have a productive day, you need to start it properly. Once you have woken up, showered, and had breakfast, you should sit down and create your list of goals for the day. Try and make three-quarters of your goals business-related and one-quarter personal. These will help you stay focused and organized.

Some examples of business goals could be:

Contacting potential investors

Putting together a social media strategy

Writing new content for your blog

Examples of personal goals could be:

Having a date night with your partner

Watching a film you love

Exercising

Related: 4 Ways to Create a Powerful Morning Routine
6. Set reminders for yourself

Even with a list of goals displayed in front you, it's easy to lose focus. Losing focus can lead to irritable behavior and a loss of motivation, so remember to set yourself reminders. You can use your phone to set alarms reminding you to:

Get certain tasks finished by specific times

Get off social media and focus on your work

Send emails to shareholders

Publish blogs or social media content

Related: 8 Recurring iPhone Reminders You Need ASAP
7. Engage in motivational activities

You don't have to always be focused only on your work. Indulging in other activities that you find motivational can also drive your entrepreneurial success. In your personal time, you could watch inspirational films, both fiction and documentaries, listen to motivating podcasts, or even listen to music you find uplifting. These activities can be performed at home, while preparing your meals, or during your commute.
Related: Get Motivated: Watch Tony Hawk Do the Impossible at Age 48
8. Get a good night's sleep

Many believe that completing business-related tasks is worth missing out on a good night's sleep, but the truth is, lack of sleep can lead to a lack of concentration and motivation. It is paramount that you get a good night's sleep to be able to pursue your entrepreneurial tasks. You'll notice that by delaying a task and getting some sleep, you will complete it twice as quickly the next day.
Related: Sleep In and Make Millions: Why You Don't Need to Wake Up at 5 A.M.
9. Set challenges with your loved ones

The best form of motivation you can get is from your friends and family. They can pick you up when you're feeling low, congratulate you when you achieve your desired milestones, and encourage you when you are in a slump. You can also engage in a bit of motivational peer pressure by challenging each other with various tasks.
Related: The Goal Standard Challenge: How to Set Yourself Up for a Win Today by Focusing on Your M.I.T.
10. Reward yourself

Give yourself incentives by rewarding yourself for a job well done. Whether they're big or small, your entrepreneurial victories are a milestone towards the overall success of your venture, so treating yourself can only encourage more hard work. Motivational rewards could be:

Dinner at a nice restaurant

Buying yourself something you've always wanted once you reach a monetary milestone

A vacation you've always wanted to take

Organizing drinks with friends

Related: At What Point Do You Reward Yourself for Success?
Finally...

The key to staying motivated as an entrepreneur is remembering why you embarked on your journey in the first place. Staying positive and using some of the tools outlined above will help you stick to your workload and reach your goals. Remember, the key to your success lies within you, but always seek out the wisdom of others to reach your true potential.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Ways to Stay Motivated as an Entrepreneur

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
6 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. If you've just started on your quest to entrepreneurship, then you are probably finding it hard to set yourself tasks and goals without an employer or colleague supporting you.

# data[].attributes.headline
Habits of Highly Effective Entrepreneurs

# data[].attributes.subject
Habits of Highly Effective Entrepreneurs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Image credit: John Fedele | Getty Images

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

There are several small, but key commitments, effective entrepreneurs practice in their daily routine which help them to stay a cut above the rest. When it comes to success, these types recognize it is often the smaller disciplines which catapult them far beyond others who may be smarter, more talented or who have access to more resources which would seemingly give them the advantage. Highly effective entrepreneurs are scrappy, and succeed beyond their peers and colleagues because they commit to the simple things, which provide them the grit and resilience to push ahead.

1. They hydrate.

To function well, effective entrepreneurs start their day hydrated. Once they've had their coffee or tea, they start pushing the water. They are aware that staying hydrated keeps their memory sharp, their mood stable, and their motivation intact. Of course, highly effective entrepreneurs also give themselves permission to indulge in ending their day with an adult beverage to take the edge off, but they are mindful to do this with a balance. They would never choose to start their next day hung over. They start their next day hydrated from the previous one.

2. They exercise.

There is a misconception that successful people have the freedom to exercise whenever they want; however, this is not true for the exceptionally busy. With all the different variables at hand during a workweek it can be near to impossible to workout at the same time, or even in the same location each day. What is important, is not when or where they exercise, or even how long for that matter, but just that they do it. They exercise because exercise has proven to increase the neuroplasticity of the brain; making them smarter and more able to exist on the cutting edge of intelligence. Aside from the undeniable stress and health benefits, they will not sacrifice an opportunity to produce growth in their brain's ability to stay sharp.
Related: 25 Best Habits to Have in Life
3. They get ready for the day.

Effective entrepreneurs are always ready for their day. No matter how busy they are, they accept that to be totally on-point they must be prepared and organized. The more prepared they are, the more confident, relaxed and efficiently they operate. They prepare lists, goals, calls, meetings, calendars, what they're going to eat, sleep, what clothes they will wear, travel itineraries, time for exercise, family and friends. They make sure to start each day ahead of the game, rather than consistently behind the 8 ball.

4. They involve others.

Many entrepreneurs feel because they are on their own journey, they shouldn't enlist the help of others. However, highly effective entrepreneurs embrace that success is never a one-man job. The more people they have on their team believing in their mission, the more innovative and successful they become. No one can succeed in a cocoon. They let go of their fears, guilt's and doubts around their personal responsibility. They know their limits, and value the need to involve others to help complete them as person to get to the top. Success is the most fulling when it's a shared experience.

5. They take time for themselves.

To be successful it takes a tremendous amount of grit and sacrifice. Effective entrepreneurs need time for themselves to recharge. They carve time in their daily schedules to make this happen, and view these meeting with alone with themselves as just as important as the meetings they have with others. They understand that to be truly be present to others, they must first nurture the connection they have with themselves. This time serves to keep them proactive in their mindset, rather than reactive.
Related: The 7 Financial Habits of the Most Successful Small Business Owners
6. They join groups outside of work.

There is a life outside of the office and effective entrepreneurs embrace this. They involve themselves in all kinds of groups that fit their tastes, whether it be CrossFit, yoga, church, charity, travel, or other extracurricular fun. These groups get them out of "business mode" into a more relaxed state where they can enjoy the fruits of their hard work. It also connects them with people who have nothing to do with business, which is enriching to their life. Involvement in these groups gives them a healthier work/life balance.

7. They ignore the naysayers.

Successful entrepreneurs have likely lost more relationships than they have gained. Why? The path narrows as they get to the top. The more successful they become the more people shoot arrows of jealousy and naysaying in their direction. They do not give them attention. If Matt Damon can drop out of Harvard, write a movie, have Robin Williams star in it, and win an Oscar then it's possible for any of us to achieve the dreams we set out to achieve. The great successes work hard, ignore the jealous chatter, cruel stabs and have the grit to not stop until they make it to the top.

8. They don't negotiate with their time for self-care.

Effective entrepreneurs value time as their most precious commodity. They understand they must maintain their much-needed quiet time to avoid burnout. For this reason, they pre-plan vacation time, take days off when sick or otherwise necessary. Because they take the breaks to enjoy their lives, they are actually more successful than the entrepreneur who works non-stop, lives on caffeine, nicotine and fast food in order to not miss work. Time for self-care is sacred in an effective entrepreneur's world.

9. They embrace the chaos.

Any journey towards success will have chaos as a fundamental part of the process. Mistakes will be made, they will need to fire people, they will get screwed over, lose money and have to recover; hence, there will be frustration and failure. To be effective, they know they cannot shy away from the chaos or cower under its power. Rather, they see chaos as something they must study, face and conquer. Every run-in with chaos, successfully handled, is one step further along the path to living their dream.
Related: 10 Habits That Help You Learn Twice as Fast
10. They seek support of like-minded people.

Effective entrepreneurs view themselves as 'learners.' It's no easy task working to be the best at what they do; however, the healthy medicine they need is the support they get from like-minded and similarly driven others. Effective entrepreneurs do not see and end-date to their success, so to continue learning and growing, it is crucial to have successful others to mentor, support and teach them. It is also important for them to play this role for others. They believe wholeheartedly the more help, support and encouragement they give and receive, the more enjoyable their journey to success will be.

11. They have supplies of motivation and information on hand.

Successful entrepreneurs are never without motivational quotes, books, audiobooks, or seminars on hand at all times. They are consistently tracking their written goals and organizing their next moves. They have copious notes on their computers, on paper and contacts in their rolodex. If they have questions, they have the resources at their fingertips necessary to get the answers they need.

12. They don't take themselves too seriously.

Effective entrepreneurs are well aware that not everything is going to go their way, and it is for this reason they train themselves to keep a lighthearted attitude. Innovative solutions cannot come to a rigid and controlling thinker. They recognize how important it is to be able to laugh at themselves. They have learned the more open they are to what is in front of them, the clearer they see where they have control and where they don't. This openness helps them come up with the solutions they need and to also know when it is time to stop controlling and let something go.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
12 Habits of Highly Effective Entrepreneurs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. There are several small, but key commitments, effective entrepreneurs practice in their daily routine which help them to stay a cut above the rest.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Successful business people have many traits in common with one another. They are confident and optimistic. They are disciplined self starters. They are open to any new ideas which cross their path (Side note: Rich20Something is a great book about this, it covers the mindset of millennial entrepreneurs). Here are ten traits of the successful entrepreneur.
1. Disciplined
These individuals are focused on making their businesses work, and eliminate any hindrances or distractions to their goals. They have overarching strategies and outline the tactics to accomplish them. Successful entrepreneurs are disciplined enough to take steps every day toward the achievement of their objectives.
2. Confidence
The entrepreneur does not ask questions about whether they can succeed or whether they are worthy of success. They are confident with the knowledge that they will make their businesses succeed. They exude that confidence in everything they do.
3. Open Minded
Entrepreneurs realize that every event and situation is a business opportunity. Ideas are constantly being generated about workflows and efficiency, people skills and potential new businesses. They have the ability to look at everything around them and focus it toward their goals.
4. Self Starter
Entrepreneurs know that if something needs to be done, they should start it themselves. They set the parameters and make sure that projects follow that path. They are proactive, not waiting for someone to give them permission.
5. Competitive
Many companies are formed because an entrepreneur knows that they can do a job better than another. They need to win at the sports they play and need to win at the businesses that they create. An entrepreneur will highlight their own company's track record of success.
6. Creativity
One facet of creativity is being able to make connections between seemingly unrelated events or situations. Entrepreneurs often come up with solutions which are the synthesis of other items. They will repurpose products to market them to new industries.
7. Determination
Entrepreneurs are not thwarted by their defeats. They look at defeat as an opportunity for success. They are determined to make all of their endeavors succeed, so will try and try again until it does. Successful entrepreneurs do not believe that something cannot be done.
8. Strong people skills
The entrepreneur has strong communication skills to sell the product and motivate employees. Most successful entrepreneurs know how to motivate their employees so the business grows overall. They are very good at highlighting the benefits of any situation and coaching others to their success.
9. Strong work ethic
The successful entrepreneur will often be the first person to arrive at the office and the last one to leave. They will come in on their days off to make sure that an outcome meets their expectations. Their mind is constantly on their work, whether they are in or out of the workplace.
10. Passion
Passion is the most important trait of the successful entrepreneur. They genuinely love their work. They are willing to put in those extra hours to make the business succeed because there is a joy their business gives which goes beyond the money. The successful entrepreneur will always be reading and researching ways to make the business better.

Successful entrepreneurs want to see what the view is like at the top of the business mountain. Once they see it, they want to go further. They know how to talk to their employees, and their businesses soar as a result.
Your author, James Adams, is a prolific tech writer who works at an online supplier of Canon cartridges where he reviews products such as the Canon CLI-521.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Successful business people have many traits in common with one another. They are confident and optimistic. They are disciplined self starters. They are open to any new ideas which cross their path (Side note: Rich20Something is a great book about this, it covers the mindset of millennial entrepreneurs).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Every entrepreneur has a different story about why he or she decided to start a business. Some have known from day one that they wanted to work for themselves and others come up with ideas while working for someone else and decide to take the entrepreneurial leap.

Most business owners will agree on one thing -- being an entrepreneur is great. There are endless reasons for this, and every entrepreneur will have his or her own personal reasons as well. Here are 60 reasons, in no particular order, why I think entrepreneurship is amazing.

1. You have full control over your destiny. You call the shots and make the decisions that ultimately determine the success or failure of your business. Nobody will get in the way of your vision.
Related: 50 Reasons to Start Your Own Business
2. Entrepreneurs are innovators. Think of all the new technology and ideas that have come to life over the past few years. Those were all once just an idea -- but amazing entrepreneurs brought those ideas to life.

3. You become part of a family. The entrepreneurial culture is almost like a big family -- and you won't find a better group of people willing to offer advice and help than fellow entrepreneurs.

4. You control who represents your brand. The team you surround yourself with plays a major role in your success -- you can assemble a team of like-minded individuals that share your same drive and passion.

5. No dress code. CEO and Founder of Vivint, Todd Pedersen, was recently on the TV show Undercover Boss and stated that he wears a company-branded baseball hat daily. He is the boss -- he can wear whatever he wants.

6. You have the opportunity to change lives. Have an idea for a product or service that has the potential to make a huge impact? Go for it -- nothing is stopping you!

7. You have full control over your workspace. Do you excel in a creative environment? Want an office with dry-erase paint so you can draw on the walls and a full espresso bar to keep you full of caffeine? Make it happen!

8. It provides a rush that is hard to duplicate. There is no greater shot of adrenaline than the one you receive after reaching a goal and knowing you worked extremely hard to get to that point.

9. You serve as a role model. As an entrepreneur, people will look up to you. You have the ability to be a role model for family, friends, employees and community members. Your success serves as motivation and inspiration.

10. You will never be bored. There is always something to do and you will more than likely always have a mile long to-do list. Every day presents new challenges and new opportunities to keep you on your toes.

11. Freedom to travel. Modern technology, remote employees and the Internet allow you the freedom to travel while still running your business. Being able to see the world while creating an amazing company is a realistic possibility.

12. There is no age barrier. Entrepreneurs are starting at very young ages -- some straight out of college, some while still in high school and even children as young as 9 years old that want to create healthy treats.

13. Your mind will always be utilized. Every single decision that involves your business is your responsibility, from the initial concept and branding to the growth and goal setting.

14. The satisfaction of saying you're a business owner. It is a great feeling to be able step back and say, "this is my company," while proudly holding your head up. Being an entrepreneur takes an incredible amount of work -- those few words feel so good coming out of your mouth.

15. Go cubicle free. Entrepreneurs have total freedom to roam, create, delegate and work. There are no cubicles or desks to be tied to all day.

16. No blame game. As an entrepreneur, there is no finger-pointing when something goes wrong. Knowing every decision that I make daily directly impacts my business is the best kind of motivation.

17. You never feel undervalued. If you have ideas to make the business better you can implement them right away -- you don't have to hope that someone in a higher position will give you the time of day and listen to your suggestions.

18. Creating something from nothing. Every business starts as an idea. You get to create it from the ground up.

19. Opportunity to make a better mousetrap. Have an idea to make something better or more efficient? Make it happen!

20. Spend more time with family. Entrepreneurs with children have the ability to adjust their schedules to attend school functions and activities.

21. You get out what you put in. If you are willing to work harder than anyone else, you will be rewarded accordingly. Want to experience more growth and opportunities? Simply work harder.

22. Provide opportunities for family members. Many will say that mixing family and business partnerships is a bad idea (and I agree) -- but this is less of an issue when talking about an employer/employee relationship.

23. Opportunity to give back. Owning a business gives you the opportunity to support local charity events, local schools and nonprofit organization. Being able to make a difference in your community is a great feeling.

24. Become healthier. A flexible schedule allows you to create a fitness routine and stick to it. Hit the gym early in the morning, at lunch or in the evening -- whatever works for you.

25. Enjoy your hobbies. As long as you "do the work" and give 100 percent when in work mode, your free time can be spent doing the things you love. Attend more sporting events, play more rounds of golf or fish more. Being an entrepreneur provides you with the ability to enjoy your hobbies more.

26. You contribute to society. You can directly impact society by introducing a service or product that people use.

27. No more frantically checking the time. How many times does the 9-to-5 crowd check the clock daily? Often. As an entrepreneur your time management balance is key. Your day ends when your tasks and responsibilities are taken care of.

28. You report to nobody. There is no boss to report to and you don't have to get expense requests approved. If you want to do something you believe will help your business there is no red tape to navigate through.

29. It'll be one of the biggest challenges you will face. Leading a company and team members on a growth path is a huge challenge. The obstacles you face along the way will provide you with an experience you won't find anywhere else.

30. No career hamster wheel. Imagine doing the same thing every day for as long as you work. Thankfully, as an entrepreneur you don't have to worry about this -- you wear multiple hats and play a variety of roles.
Related: Passion, Freedom and Impact: The 3 Ingredients of Business Success
31. The ability to pivot. If your business model slows down, you have the freedom to pivot. Think of how many businesses died because of the Internet. The ones with good leaders simply pivoted and made adjustments to survive.

32. You get to work with brilliant minds. As an entrepreneur you will connect with extremely intelligent people from all over the world. You encounter brilliant minds on your team and through business relationships.

33. Create a legacy. Creating a successful brand to the point where it leaves a personal legacy behind is appealing and serves as motivation for many entrepreneurs.

34. Turn your passion and beliefs into a business. Are you passionate about health and fitness? Become a nutritional consultant or open a gym. You have the ability to create a business as well as impact people through your passions and beliefs.

35. You can make people happy. There is a good chance you own an Apple product -- an iPhone, MacBook, iMac, iPod or iPad. These products bring a smile to faces of millions every single day. Sure, Apple is making billions of dollars, but they are also making their customers happy.

36. You will never hit a ceiling. Some jobs have a growth cap and you can only advance so far. When you are an entrepreneur, there is no growth ceiling.

37. Earn a living doing what you love. Let's face it, money is important. When you are able to make a comfortable living doing what you love it's a win-win situation.

38. Feeling appreciated is great. It's a great feeling when you receive an email or phone call from someone that took time out of his or her day to let you know that your business impacted them in a positive way.

39. Build your own security. It doesn't get any more secure than controlling your own destiny. You will never stress about having the wrong person in charge of a business.

40. You get to constantly learn. As an entrepreneur you are always learning lessons -- sometimes the hard way. It is a priceless education that you can't get in a classroom.

41. Eliminate downsizing or layoff fears. Businesses make cuts and lay off employees daily. That can be extremely stressful. When you become an entrepreneur this fear doesn't exist.

42. Bad days could always be worse. A bad day as an entrepreneur is better than a bad day working for someone else.

43. No degrees or pieces of paper stand in your way. You don't have to have a degree from an Ivy League school to start a business. In fact, some of the most successful tech billionaires dropped out of college.

44. You get to push the envelope. There are no boundaries -- create, invent and disrupt as you wish. This is how brilliant ideas are born.

45. Satisfy your personal curiosity. Most entrepreneurs are curious -- will my idea work? Can I grow this into a sustainable business? Can I be a good leader?

46. No more boring meetings. Gone are the days of boring meetings -- now, if you are in a boring meeting, you have nobody to blame but yourself.

47. Media and press acknowledgement. When your company receives media coverage and validation it is extremely satisfying. Recognition for the hard work you put in helps fuel your inner fire.

48. You become a provider. As an entrepreneur you will become a provider for many. Your employees will depend on your leadership and decision-making, as it will directly impact their livelihood and well-being.

49. Create your own corporate culture. You get to create a corporate culture based on your beliefs. Want to allow your employees to work from home on Fridays? How about providing in-office daycare to allow your employees to bring their children to work? You get to develop the corporate culture that you believe will provide the best environment for success and excellence.

50. Experience personal growth. It is a great feeling when you look back and see how much you have grown as an individual. The growth and success of a business is often directly related to the personal growth of the entrepreneur behind it.

51. You become an expert problem solver. As a business owner you become very resourceful and over time you will learn to overcome anything and solve any problem placed in front of you.

52. It never feels like work. Some might disagree -- but that just means they haven't found what they truly love to do. Once you do find that you will never refer to what you do as work.

53. Even learning disabilities can't stop you. Johnny Earle, the creator of the brand Johnny Cupcakes, is proof that not even a learning disability can stop an entrepreneur from succeeding. If you don't know Johnny's story watch this video for some inspiration.

54. Endless life experiences. You get to travel to new places and interact with different people all the time. What some might see as just a business conference, you see as an opportunity to visit a new part of the world and meet people you would never have met otherwise.

55. You develop an iron jaw. You are going to get hit and knocked down. Learning to take the punches and continuing to get up turns you into a stronger business owner and individual.

56. You get to walk on the wild side. When you put your own livelihood and finances on the line because you believe in something 100 percent, it becomes an extreme rush.

57. You conduct your own performance review. Sales, company morale, growth and customer feedback can all be used to judge your performance -- not some person with a clipboard and a generic Q&A review test.

58. You can get competitive with yourself. Entrepreneurs are competitive by nature. The goal is to constantly improve and grow, so turn it into a personal competition. Can you make more business contacts today than you did yesterday? Can you motivate your sales team to crush the numbers from yesterday?

59. It enables you to dream big. No idea is too crazy and no goal is too big when you are an entrepreneur -- you can dream as big as you want!

60. You don't have to be lucky. Luck has nothing to do with being successful. Thinking it does is just an excuse that prevents you from achieving success.
What are some other reasons why you became an entrepreneur or why you are striving to become an entrepreneur in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Related: It's OK to Be Great: Why Entrepreneurs Deserve to Stand Out

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
60 Reasons Why Entrepreneurship Is Amazing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Every entrepreneur has a different story about why he or she decided to start a business. Some have known from day one that they wanted to work for themselves and others come up with ideas while working for someone else and decide to take the entrepreneurial leap.

# data[].attributes.headline
Key Attitudes for Entrepreneurial Success

# data[].attributes.subject
Key Attitudes for Entrepreneurial Success

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Jeremy Reed Tuesday, December 20, 2016

No entrepreneur succeeds in every business venture. Every successful entrepreneur fails at least once, if not twice. How entrepreneurs learn from and utilize their failures, however, is what matters, because in entrepreneurship, attitude is everything.
Here are five key attitudes every entrepreneur must conquer in order to run a prosperous business venture:

1. PASSION

Entrepreneurs should be passionate about their ideas, goals and, of course,their companies. This passion is what drives them to do what they do.

Some entrepreneurs love the adventure and excitement ofcreating something new, and once it is established they lose interest and move on to something else.

Other entrepreneurs feel passionately about the product they are constructing or the sense of accomplishment they feel because they know they are helping other people, helping animals or helping the planet.

Whatever drives an individual to try to succeed is where his/her passion lies, and that passion is integral to entrepreneurial life.

2. BRAVERY

Entrepreneurs, like everyone else, feel fear. They are fearful that they won't succeed or fearful a well-conceived idea cannot be executed. They do not, however, let these fears of failure define them. They are brave. They learn from failure. They utilize their fear of failing to push themselves to work harder and to strive to correct the mistakes that may have caused them to fail.

Many entrepreneurs need multiple attempts to create a successful company. It is bravery that drives them to pursue success.

3. FLEXIBILITY

Entrepreneurs experience setbacks. There are hurdles to overcome on any journey.

Not everyone handles change or disappointment well. However, entrepreneurs must possess flexible mindsets so they can alter a course that seems to be headed toward failure.

Flexible entrepreneurs should be aware that they may have to modify the route toward their established goal, or even perhaps tweak that established goal, in order to reach it successfully.

4. STRONG WORK ETHIC

It is not easy to start from the ground up and become a successful business owner. Many hours of hard work, frustration, creativity and supervision are poured into a new venture. If you are not willing to get up and work hard every day, probably seven days a week, then how can you expect success? No successful business is created quickly, easily or without strife.

Entrepreneurs do not work a standard 9-5 day, nor do they log 40-hour work weeks. They are always working-establishing new ideas, creating new products, designing new processes, hiring smart and talented people.

Entrepreneurs motivate themselves and continually look forward.

5. INTEGRITY

Entrepreneurs must be able to show others they are truthful and honest. Regardless of the type of business they hope to establish, colleagues, vendors, customers and investors must trust them. There is no way around this-entrepreneurs must be trusted, and trust must be earned.

The best business idea in the world will likely fail if an untrustworthy person is at the helm. Suppliers need to know that payments for goods they have shipped will arrive on time.

Customers need to know that whatever product or service they have ordered will be delivered as promised. Colleagues need to know that they are a valued part of the company's success. Investors need to know that the company has to potential to grow.

Attitude is everything in entrepreneurial life.

Next: Facebook Is a Delaware Corporation
THE AUTHOR OF THIS BLOG ARTICLE IS NOT A LAWYER AND HARVARD BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. IS NOT A LAW FIRM. THE ARTICLE ABOVE IS NOT INTENDED AS LEGAL ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS LEGAL ADVICE. THIS SHORT ARTICLE IS STRICTLY TO MENTION SOME ASPECTS OF DELAWARE'S CORPORATION LAWS AND/OR LAWS RELATING TO OTHER FORMS OF ENTITIES WHICH YOU MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSULT WITH A LAWYER BEFORE FORMULATING A STRATEGY WHICH WILL BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC CASE.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Key Attitudes for Entrepreneurial Success

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
No entrepreneur succeeds in every business venture. Every successful entrepreneur fails at least once, if not twice. How entrepreneurs learn from and utilize their failures, however, is what matters, because in entrepreneurship, attitude is everything.Here are five key attitudes every entrepreneur must conquer in order to run a prosperous business venture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Starting a Business in 12 Easy Steps | Entrepreneur | Entrepreneur

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Starting a business doesn’t have to be difficult. Check out this 12-step guide to start your entrepreneurial endeavor the right way.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What are the key success factors that make an entrepreneur become a successful entrepreneur? I will share one list of the most critical entrepreneurial key success factors.

This is a subject of research and analysis of many professionals and institutions. It is possible that we cannot expect to have a person with all characteristics that will make him a successful entrepreneur. But, the combination of the most important factors can help you to build and manage a successful business.

If you want 87 tips and recommendation to become an entrepreneur, you can find them in the post title as how to become an entrepreneur.

The entrepreneurial key success factors or characteristics of a successful entrepreneur that will be presented here are based on my research before several years in which I have included more than a hundred entrepreneurs.

Now, let's continue with the main subject of this post.

15 Entrepreneurial Key Success Factors

The most critical and most important key success factors that can make an entrepreneur become a successful entrepreneur are:

1. Willingness to take action. This is the first and most important factor for "would be" and current entrepreneurs. All other entrepreneurial key success factors, are not necessary if you are a person who afraid to take real action. Actions are something that can lead you to the success. Without actions, you can't expect to become a successful business owner. Sorry, it is a fact!

2. Entrepreneurial knowledge. Entrepreneurs are persons who must have superior knowledge about specific business issues for the business that they have started. Your knowledge will increase your business potential energy and in large part will contribute to the success of your company.

3. Entrepreneurial creativity. You must be a creative person if you want to be unique enough and with the power of continuous improvement in your business. The creativity will increase your business potential energy that will bring many possibilities for your company.

4. Entrepreneurial skills. Each entrepreneur and each business will need different entrepreneurial skills that in some cases can be crucial to the success of their companies. If you have the knowledge, but you don't have skills that can be covered only through implementation of what you have learned, you can't expect that you are close to the success. As you can see, you will have skills if you take action, implementing what you have learned.

5. Entrepreneurial intelligence. You must be intelligent to manage all possible situations and solve the hardest problems that will be the most consistent thing in your business life. Your intelligence will additionally bring uniqueness to your company because it is something that can't be copied from others.

6. Patience. You must be patient and ready to continue even you lose the first battle. It is important because the war is still not finished. This is only the beginning of your journey as an entrepreneur. You need to understand that your entrepreneurial journey isn't an easy journey from A to B.

7. Persistence. Persistence is simply a refusal to give up for something, or ability to keep your actions against your personal feelings that you're not ready for these actions. Feelings and motivation didn't produce results. The action is something that will provide the results you want to achieve. So, remove your feelings that pulled you back, and with the whole power continue on your journey.

8. The ability for teamwork. Nobody can achieve anything alone so, this is also true for you as an entrepreneur. You are not a "Superman." As an entrepreneur, you must be a team player for your own and your business success.

9. Risk taking, but calculated risk. This is indeed one of the most critical questions: Are entrepreneurs taking enough risk? Yes, each business startup is at some level risky. However, more important is how a successful entrepreneur takes a risk? The word calculated risk is the most appropriate word for this characteristic. You need to use risk management principles if you want to succeed.

10. The self-confidence as a key success factor. Self-confidence is a significant and key success factor for entrepreneurs. I think that nobody will become an entrepreneur if he doesn't have self-confidence in himself, primarily related to start and manage his own business.

11. To have enough experience. Sometimes experience is in a category not so required as a factor, but it is something that will increase your business potential energy. As an entrepreneur, you must employ all present and previous experience you have in the business that you are building.

12. Great talent. Talent is something inborn in an entrepreneur. But, sometimes talent is something that can be easily replaced with knowledge and skills.

13. Honesty. Honesty is vital in every case. But sometimes honesty, being real, can be the most significant enemy of an entrepreneur in some complex conditions.

14. Connections. More connection means more possibilities for building a successful business.

15. Luck. Luck is a psychological factor. Some people can say that they aren't lucky persons. And indeed there are some "lucky people" who just accidentally found the right place at the right time with the right idea. However, it is a small percentage and cannot be included as a serious factor for success.

The key success factors on this list are sorted according to their importance to your success as an entrepreneur. So, the most important key success factor here is your ability to take action.

Why Taking Action as One of the Key Success Factors is the Most Important Factor?

First, all key success factors mentioned here without a willingness or ability to take action are some potential for you. Yes, you have knowledge or skill, but if you don't implement them in your daily work, they are only potential for you.

We talk about your business potential energy stored inside you. This energy can and should be converted into business kinetic energy. The business kinetic energy is something which will perform the job or something that will bring results to your company. More about the business potential energy you can find in the following articles:

All key success factors are important, but none of these factors will make you become a successful entrepreneur if you don't take appropriate action. For example, the knowledge and creativity can't help you to become a successful entrepreneur if you don't take the first step to start your business.

I know many people who have the knowledge and creativity, are skillful and intelligent, and persistent and patient... But these persons are not entrepreneurs. They are working for some other company or public services. They're not entrepreneurs not because they have a lack of knowledge or they are not intelligent. They are not entrepreneurs, not because they don't possess other characteristics of the success. They aren't entrepreneurs because they don't take the first step, take action to become entrepreneurs.

Therefore, in this hierarchical structure of entrepreneurial key success factors as the first characteristic or as the foundation for the success I put the ability to take action.

What Would be the Profile of a Successful Entrepreneur?

A profile of an entrepreneur - superman, would be:

A person who is ready to take action, build on personal knowledge and creativity while combining the skills and intelligence. Additionally, these persons are patient and persistent persons. They can work in teams, take risks, but not any risk. They have self-confidence and experience, while they are honest persons, sometimes lucky, and they have excellent connections that can help them in doing business better.

Anyway, all entrepreneurial key success factors or characteristics are essential. They will increase your business potential energy, and thus the overall business potential energy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
15 Entrepreneurial Key Success Factors To Skyrocket Your Business

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What are the key success factors that make an entrepreneur become a successful entrepreneur? I will share one list of the most critical entrepreneurial key success factors. This is a subject of research and analysis of many professionals and institutions.