It’s time to start thinking like an entrepreneur. No matter your profession, you can benefit from learning the mental and practical skills practiced by the world’s most successful people.
GetSmarter, an online education company specialising in short courses for working professionals, has given us these eight entrepreneurial shifts to try. Even if you don’t have your own business, adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and watch as you reap the career benefits.
1 Establish a personal metrics board
Entrepreneurs know exactly what makes their business – and themselves – tick. It’s important to have some way of measuring your career growth, but also pay close attention to your own health and happiness metrics. Ask yourself; “What makes me feel accomplished?” and “When am I most inspired?” Actively track these moments so you can create more of them, more often.
2 Look for efficiencies, everywhere
The world’s most successful business people don’t tolerate poor processes. Mimic this behaviour by challenging the status quo. Is there anything holding you back right now? Think hard. Whether it’s within your organisation or your personal life, find a way to cut yourself loose.
3 Work hard, play hard
Ever wondered why most workplaces still have a whiteboard, even though we’re deep in the ‘digital age’? Well sometimes, the most incredible and complex breakthroughs start with a playful sketch. Brainstorming can be just as good for your career as it is for a big business. Set aside some time to ‘play’ around with an idea that’s been on your mind. Who knows where it could lead you…
4 Live your values
Entrepreneurs know how to turn values into habits. These habits increase their personal effectiveness and inspire the people around them to grow. Figure out what are your ‘non-negotiable’ principles, and ground your behaviour on them. Demonstrating a commitment to independent thinking, integrity, teamwork or having a constructive attitude will encourage your peers and colleagues to follow suit.
5 Spend money on things that’ll make you more money
Whereas most people blow all their cash on things that’ll give them the ‘most benefits’ – ie: clothing, entertainment, etc – entrepreneurs spend their money on things that’ll give the the ‘most value’. In other words, they spend money to make money. Financial restraint doesn’t only mean spending less than you earn, it also means spending money on real assets (the kind that appreciate).
6 Be mindful of time and attention
Successful entrepreneurs are highly organised, time-optimisation rockstars, with laser-like focus. Free up your time and attention to focus on impactful decisions, like how Mark Zuckerberg wore the same outfit everyday… Although, we don’t suggest doing exactly this.
7 Turn your ambitions into achievements
By communicating their strategic vision, business leaders unite their teams behind a common purpose. What is your mission? Articulate your answer to that question, loud and clear, and watch as people give you all they’ve got to help you achieve it.
8 Shape the experiences that shape you
Entrepreneurs are often self-taught, because they understand the importance of working to make themselves into the type of person who is successful. Start working on developing skills that compound. Whether it’s learning to code, write copy, or handle your own accounts – an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.
GetSmarter partners with top-tier Universities to present career-focused online short courses, postgraduate programmes, and professional accounting programmes. Visit www.getsmarter.co.za.
Are you ready for the challenge? Before you ask for THAT promotion, ask yourself these five questions.
