Successful entrepreneurs surely have different talents and completely different ideas, but they all share some common characteristics which have helped them to stay on the right track and reach their goals. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the most important traits an ambitious entrepreneur needs to possess.
1. They are passionate
“If you just work on stuff that you like and you’re passionate about, you don’t have to have a master plan with how things will play out.” — Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook
If you want your idea to be realized, you need to be passionate about it and to really want it to happen. Wanting to earn a lot of money from your idea is perfectly normal, but it shouldn’t be the main thing that motivates you to succeed. You need to love what you do and be passionate about it in order to succeed. Loving your job won’t magically put you on top, but it will motivate you to become more detail-oriented and determined to make your dreams come true. Many famous entrepreneurs made their hobby into a career, just because they were so passionate about them. Think of what you like, and let your hobby improve your skill set. And, who knows, maybe it will become your career.
2. They want to change the world
“The secret to successful hiring is this: look for the people who want to change the world.” — Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce
Whenever you ask an innovative entrepreneur what their goal is, all answers the are similar and have one common goal: to change the world. They think about impossible things to create and try to find a way to make it happen. On their journey, many creative ideas emerge and become real products, which slowly lead to a positive change.
Therefore, when searching for the right employees, successful entrepreneurs always look for people with the same vision – nothing is impossible.
3. They are mostly dog lovers
Wildly successful entrepreneurs have dogs who are treated like members of their family. This may seem as an irrelevant point, but having pets, not only dogs, makes us happier and gives us a positive attitude. All animal lovers understand the need for having a loving pet at home who will make you smile even if it is your worst day. That unconditional love is what makes people bond, helps them keep on going, and most importantly, it reduces stress, which leads to increased productivity and motivation.
Beast, Mark Zuckerberg’s dog, is probably the most famous pet in the world, with well over 2 million followers. If you are an entrepreneur and you are a dog lover, why not get one? If you think it’s a huge obligation, know that you can crate train your puppy quickly and effectively, with the help of a few easy-to-learn tricks and a bit of patience. Even Bill Gates has two dogs called Oreo and Nilla.
All animals can boost your overall mood and remind you that you have a private life, and that you should focus on important things such as your family, partner, and children. As Richard Branson said: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” However, family stays with you through the toughest of times.
4. They don’t give up
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” — Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company
No one became successful by giving up when faced with a difficult challenge. The first mistake to make when things go wrong is to go along them. You need to go against your failures and use them to your benefit, and not just settle for less or quit. The most successful people in the world failed a lot of times before reaching the top, and if they had just quit at the first sign of trouble, they wouldn’t have changed the world and left a legacy.
Remember, failure is inevitable, but so is success.
5. They invest in themselves
In order to make a successful company, you need to have a winning mindset, and if you want to develop something worthwhile, you need to improve yourself first. Many new entrepreneurs struggle with money, as it is really hard out there. Even the debts of regular households are increasing, so it is no wonder that entrepreneurs and startups face huge debts and money losses.
Manage your budget well and invest in your education first. Whether it is a course or an online lecture, you need to improve your knowledge. Later on, you can take a vacation in order to get rid of the everyday pressure and stress, but you should focus on self-improvement for now.
6. They always go for more
“Always deliver more than expected.” — Larry Page, co-founder of Google
If someone puts a limit to your idea, and says it’s all that can be done, don’t believe them. Use creativity and knowledge to go beyond the possible. Never do the expected, but strive for more. Surprise everyone and yourself by reaching higher goals. Doing only what is expected of you is pretty boring, but taking your job to the next level and being innovative is the main thing that will make you stand out from the crowd.
7. They are persistent no matter what
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” — Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple
I like to look at being persistent as being spoiled. You want to do something and it’s your way or the highway. You won’t compromise and you won’t accept failure as an obstacle. But, you will be determined to make it right. You will forget the definition of the word “failure” and give it another meaning, which is a big step towards getting what you want. As Steve Jobs said, pure perseverance is the characteristic of a successful entrepreneur.
8. They are bike lovers
Many celebrities and entrepreneurs love bikes. Even the youngest billionaire in the world, Dustin Moskovitz, the co-founder of Facebook, still rides a bike to work. Recently, Larry Page, the CEO of Google, discussed his desire to get everyone to ride bikes. He has also suggested building an aerial bikeway, but we’ll give him some more time to develop that idea. Until then, the only air connection with a bike we accept is an aero road bike. Whether you choose an aero bike or a regular one, try including it in your daily routine.
Riding a bike, just like any exercise, releases endorphins which make us happier and more productive. Aside ffrom helping your mind focus better, your body will be thankful too, as you will improve your stamina and overall health as well.
If you don’t have these characteristics, work on developing them and don’t be afraid to change the world. As I mentioned above, failure is inevitable, but with perseverance and hard work, so is success.
