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This might be a dated reference but does anyone here remember those old Choose Your Own Adventure books?
Those wacky books that weren’t really books but they sort of were? If not, the gist is that every now and then while reading, you’d be presented with two choices. Depending on your answer, you’d have to flip to page 36 or what-have-you to see how your decision affected the story. You remember those?
I distinctly remember reading one of those books when I was around 10 and, after choosing not to teleport to the alien planet, wound up at the ending where the protagonist ended up dying in a black hole. The cold comprehension of the endless vacuum of space aside, my 10-year-old self finally grasped the concept of there being consequences for my actions.
The most difficult challenges we face often involve such a presentation of a potentially life-altering choice. Every now and then, life likes to throw us into situations where we see the path diverging in front of us.
It’s not too often that you’ll face such a clear-cut scenario, but every so often you’ll find yourself at such a crossroads.
As an entrepreneur, you’re going to experience these crossroads moments more often than most. Moments when you’ll be looking at two very clear choices. The choices cannot possibly coexist together, and you only have one chance to make a decision. And unlike a Choose Your Own Adventure book, you can’t just flip back to the start if you don’t like where you ended up.
So what do you do in those moments?
Well we’re going to help you answer that question. This is the first part of a series of Foundr articles I’m writing where I take the most common of these crossroads moments that each and every entrepreneur faces, and break them down so you’re better prepared to come to the right conclusion for you and your business.
#1: Am I an entrepreneur?
The first, and arguably the most life-changing, crossroads moment that every would be entrepreneur has to face at some point seems very simple. However, it’s the kind of decision that will absolutely dictate, at the very least, the next few years of your life if not the rest of it.
Making the decision to become an entrepreneur is not an easy one. Despite all the potential to grow as an entrepreneur, there are still huge pitfalls and risks. On the other hand, you can always do what the majority of the population does and play it safe, if you’re sure you’re going to enjoy the view.
According to the latest report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, there has never been a better time to become an entrepreneur than right now.
Quite simply, the entry points for becoming an entrepreneur are now more accessible than ever. A mixture of technological, social, cultural, and market forces have come together to create an unprecedented era in which involvement in startups and entrepreneurship are at an all-time high.
So it’s pretty safe to say that, more than ever, making the decision to become an entrepreneur is easier than ever. After all, it’s hard to say no to the multitude of positive reasons to start your own business today.
No other career path can really let you be as creative and exert full responsibility over your own destiny and lifestyle. However the question isn’t whether or not you want to become an entrepreneur, it’s whether or not you have what it takes to be one.
Let’s do a quick breakdown of the entrepreneurial personality.
According to Bill J. Bonnstetter of Target Training International, there are five distinct skills that define the entrepreneurial mindset. Stripping away the individualized technical skills, you’re left with: persuasion, leadership, personal accountability, goal orientation and interpersonal skills.