What’s your prime directive as a business owner — what is it that you want to accomplish? When you answer that question, then you have to answer an even bigger one: What will you have to do to realize that goal?
The pursuit of our entrepreneurial goals is usually met with resistance on many fronts. Some of the obstacles are fundamental, including: Acquiring enough experience; enough education; enough training; and enough capital.
Then there are the mind-game challenges that are laid on us by others: “That’s not how it’s done.” “That won’t work.” “No one’s ever done that before.” Or, “Why do you think you can do that?” Sadly, sometimes we even tie these millstones around our own necks.
When you feel like your dream is being swept away by strong current in a river of obstacles, here’s a little motivational thought: Swimming upstream can be tough, but remember, even a dead fish can float downstream.
If you venture into the marketplace jungle, you may be able to observe that rare wild creature, the entrepreneur, in his or her natural environment (darting is not necessary, entrepreneurs are very gentle - just rub their stomachs). As you study them, you will find levels of vision, curiosity, courage, tenacity, and faith. Here’s what to look for in order to identify this elusive critter:
Vision: Entrepreneurs see things and consider the possibilities before they exist, even as the world is telling them, “It won’t work.” When entrepreneurs are deep into their vision they go into what their families call a “zone,” which is when it’s easiest to slip up on them.
Curiosity: Entrepreneurs ask questions other humans don’t. They can’t help it. If someone asks you a question and you have no idea what they are talking about, you are probably having a close encounter with an entrepreneur. Don’t be irreverent; you might be at ground-zero of the 21st century equivalent of Velcro or the microchip.
Courage: Entrepreneurs attempt things that other human species won’t. As you peer through the triple canopy at your subject, look for death-defying acts in the face of conventional wisdom. Entrepreneurs eat conventional wisdom for breakfast.
Tenacity: Entrepreneurs keep trying when other humans give up. They have a high pain threshold, which when combined with a visceral desire that can only be compared to the maternal instinct, delivers a primal display of tenacity which often is frightening to other humans. If the entrepreneur you are observing is crouching, lie down quickly. You probably aren’t in danger, but fainting is a possibility.
Faith: Entrepreneurs believe in themselves and their vision. The great writer and even greater curmudgeon, H.L. Mencken, once said, “Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the illogical.” That’s our entrepreneur! If you see someone demonstrating an inordinate commitment to an “illogical belief,” congratulations. You’ve found your entrepreneur.
Catch and release, please.
“Professionals are people who can do their job even when they don’t feel like it. Amateurs are people who can’t do their job even when they do feel like it.”
I like this anonymous quote because it helps me ask this question: What kind of owner are you, a professional or an amateur?
If your driving motivation to be a small business owner is status and control, you’re probably never going to be a professional.
But if you love what you do so much that you don’t want to be anywhere else but in your business, you’ll probably become a professional. You’ll become the kind of owner who shows up even when you don’t feel like it. When the chips are down. When the challenges are so great that they would crush the spirit of a lesser person.
Professional business owners know that they own more than just what’s on the balance sheet. They know that they also own their business’ challenges. And they are excited about that fact, because they know that when they turn one of those challenges into an opportunity, that also belongs to them.
Amateur owners don’t want the work, they just want the result. Professionals love the entire process, from alpha to omega, warts and all.
If you’re going to be in business, you must be IN your business. Professionals know this, amateurs don’t.
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