7 Things Entrepreneurs Do That Others Don’t
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They Are Networking Machines
This is something I learned when I was involved with a network marketing company (which didn’t last long). You have to get out there, and network with people. There this quote I really like, it may help you get what I mean:
[…] You cannot succeed by yourself. It´s hard to find a rich hermit […] Jim Rohn
Most entrepreneurs have a really close network of friends they can rely on when needed, and they’re always working on expanding that circle. The right friends do make a huge difference. The more like-minded people put together, the greater the results can be.
They Have Great Communication Skills
Networking is one thing, but let’s not forget that most successful entrepreneurs also have excellent communication skills and are great conversationalists, that’s one of the many reasons a lot of entrepreneurs have blogs.
You have to be able to communicate your ideas, and get your message across. Your ability to take an idea, make someone understand it, and potentially agree with (or at least “not disagree“), can help a lot when it’s time to take that idea and bring it to life.
They Are Always Willing To Learn
One thing that differentiate successful entrepreneurs from unsuccessful ones is their desire to always gain more knowledge, they are “information junkies” (not in a bad way). If you have no idea how to do something, usually the information can be found on the internet or in books, or you could even attend a seminar that covers topics related to what you want to learn.
They Are Not Afraid To Experiment
It is really ok to experiment and try new things, you never know, you might hit the jackpot. Of course, not everything you do will work out, but if you try 10 times and succeed once, chances are if you try a hundred times, you’ll succeed 10 times.
If an idea is ridiculous, insane and way too crazy… well, count me in! I wanna be a part of it, cause if it’s crazy enough to work, I want in! Innovation!
Yes, entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for new opportunities and are always willing to try new thing. On the other hand, successful entrepreneurs will not only be on the lookout, but they will create opportunities.
Take Nate and Josh for example, they started doing video podcasts recently, and they’re now at their 3rd episode. Podcasting is not new, but Nate and Josh decided to jump right in, and now, after 3 videos, I have to say they are doing great, they improved soo much in such a short period of time, it’s crazy!
They were not afraid to experiment! (ok maybe a little with their first video, but now they really got it! Great job guyz!)
They Can See The Big Picture
This is not something easy, but once you have that, you’re almost set for success. The ability to see the big picture can help you find things you never would have been able to see, and would’ve missed. Some of these things may be core components that you really need in order to make your project work.
They Diversify Their Streams Of Income
In blogging, it is common practice to explore different monetization methods and try different services like adsense, YPN, sponsored reviews, text-link-ads and others, and keep what works best. But thinking a little outside the box can earn you way more that the $2 per day you earn with adsense right now.
If you keep all your eggs in the same basket, and you let the basket fall, what will happen to the eggs?
They Know When To Take Some Time Off
It’s easy to work 16 hours in a day when you love what you do, but you have to know when to take a break (that’s what I’ve been doing for 2 days, taking a break.). When you work for someone it is usual to work for 7 to 9 hours in a day, but when you work on your own, you can say hello to 14-18 hours of work per day. It’s cool, you gotta love what you do. But for your own health you have to take breaks, go on a vacation, spend time with friends, family, kids.
Usually when you come back you have a fresh perspective and see things differently, it’s like doing a back-up of your most important files on you computer, formatting the hard-drive, and starting again with a new and fresh install of your OS.
Your Turn To Talk
Of course, this list is not a huge one, and is not meant to be an analysis of the entrepreneurial mind, it’s more like my own observations. But still, which of those 7 things do you do, and are the best at? What would you add to the list? And also, what part are you having the most troubles with?
Take care :)
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31 Responses to “7 Things Entrepreneurs Do That Others Don’t”
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The one other quality i would to your list is persistence. I just read a great quote today on someones blog, it read something like this, “talent and education will take you only half of the way, persistence will take you all the way”. Of course, im paraphrasing, but basically it meant that one needs to fight and climb and not give up. All entrepreneurs share the trait of perseverance.
Missy.
GREAT post!
Big picture - YES!
Experiment - YES!
Always Learning - YES!
and to Talk and not scared of the word NO - YES!
Missy, that’s a great quote, it’s true you kinda need to have that “if you don’t succeed first, try again” mentality :)
Ian good point, no being afraid of rejection and being told “no” is kinda necessary if you want things to work.
You know how I love it when you guyz add stuff to the list, it’s great! :)
Thanks for the link. I would agree that having no fear and also being able to see the big picture are especially important. Great Post!
Josh, you’re very welcome, you and Nate did a great job on that 3rd podcast, keep it up, can’t wait to see the next one :) (and also your finance podcast)
[…] 7 Things Entrepreneurs Do That Others Don’t is a great post, you can apply the tips to business ownership as well as everyday business dealings, right down to your job. All of those tips can help you in multiple situations, not just business. […]
Great points Jon!
Taking time off is so important. You can’t bring unique deas to the table when you get stuck in “the grind”. It’s good to get out, experience something new, and bring a piece of it back with you.
Missy is bang-on about persistence. And I’d add to that “measure your progress”. It’s alright to make slow progress as long as it’s steady and in tune with the big picture.
Measuring those things helps you keep on track. And spurs you to catch another train when you get off-track.
Shane, yep taking breaks is important, I kinda took 2 days off this week (well not really “off” but still I got on a different train, and now I’m back on track), and god it felt great, 2 days isn’t much, but it definitely helps :)
[…] topic of Entrepreneurship will be discussed from the viewpoint of one of the most successful entrepreneur’s I know. For […]
I’d been meaning to check out that video podcast from Nate and Josh, but hadn’t got aroud to it.
Great improvement from the first one! Fast learners those guys.
Nice job on the post, Jon. Excellent points.
I agree with networking machines. Everywhere you go their is an opputunity to meet people that have a unique skill set and sphere of influence. Thanks to speaking at internet conferences I have had the oppurtunity to meet some genius’s in the industry that mentor me now. Keep up the good work.
I know you mentioned in the article, but the title should really be things entrepreneurs should do, or what successful entrepreneurs do. A lot of people fail because they don’t do these things, and some may even fail that do these things, but that is probably a different post.
I think seeing the big is a skill that is vitally important to successful entrepreneurs. They also try again!
Nice post.
Hey David, yeah they really improved since their first podcast, in such a short period of time, they’re gonna be youtube superstars soon hehe :)
Jim, that’s cool, it’s true the more you network, the better you chances of meeting like-minded people are. At what conferences were you speaking? (a little curious here) ;)
Happy Rock, yep that is a different post, this one was meant to be more about “what entrepreneurs do” as oppposed to “what entrepreneurs do that makes them successful” the latter is in the making :)
Hi Jonathan - I signed up for the “Sponsored review” program. Thanks
hey jon- i agree with you on all of those subjects, especially the networking. you truly never know who you are going to meet and how.
i’d also add passion to that list. if you are excited and love what you do, it’s not only contagious, but attractive. when others see how much you enjoy what you do, it tends to increase your chances of getting their support in one form or another.
Hi Viv, that’s cool, hope you get something good out of it, I tried it a couple of times, but found out I didn’t wanted to write reviews that much ;)
Erin, excellent point there, passion (and purpose) are necessary if you want it to be successful. If you’re driven and passionate, people will notice and chances are they’ll support you :)
Network, network, network…this is the key for me. I have found a lot of clients via my local Chamber of Commerce.
Hi Lewis, that’s awesome! I found many clients just through this blog, networking is the key, it’s almost certain you’ll end up meeting people you’ll wanna work with. :)
Good points Jon. I especially like the one about not being afraid to experiment. Successful entrepreneurs have usually taken a risk at some point.
[…] 5. John from Smart Wealthy Rich […]
Hi Steven, thanx!
It’s true, well, I believe in “no risks, no rewards”, at some point you kinda have to make things move forward cause it won’t happen just like that :)
Entrepreneurs say YES when others say no! And they don’t let rejection and failure stop them.
Hi Nathania, I agree, gotta keep moving forward. Although it is really ok to say “no” sometimes :)
I just found your blog today and this is some really good stuff! I gave you some thumbs up on StumbleUpon and bookmarked your site.
I agree that passion is a MUST. Most people do the 9-5 thing like zombies, but entrepreneurs love what they do and do what they love.
Wally, thanx a bunch for the thumbs up ;)
Jay, I agree, a couple of years ago, when I was working in sales/marketing for a telecom company, I can say I was kinda like a Zombie, but now it’s better, less “zombie-fied” :)
Totally funny and exciting v-blog - great jobs guys…
As a Sales Specialist, I would just suggest to sell me first on the event in VEGAS before you scream its cost, because if I LOVE the product I don’t think feel the price would scare me so much especially if its $75 dollars.
But when you made a sweet remark about three times did I mention vegas - real cute, and then you gave each other a high five I was intrigued again.
Good Luck
Angel.
Jonathan,
They’re also like sponges - and I don’t mean bloodsuckers or hangers on.
I mean that they absorb things. They’re constantly reading, consuming information, talking to people, and creating things with what they’ve taken in.
Entrepreneurs can find something useful - something of value - in almost every situation and encounter.
I’ve observed that entrepeneurism is learned from such an early age. It’s like Jim Rohn said: “Kids ought to have two bicycles: one to ride and one to rent.”
i ill agree u great job
I would ay the only one that may not be true, is that “They know when to take time off”. A GOOD Entrepreneur does - but that’s not really something entrepreneurs have as a top skill. More likely, they don’t take time off and push and push.
I definately agree about seeing the big picture. That’s a must.
A good article all around.