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For those who fantasize about entrepreneurship, it is to its essence about emphasizing freedom, working hours on your terms, traveling when you see fit, and overall supporting your lifestyle of choice. Whether you have a fixed income that you desire to work toward or want to grow your business as big as possible, entrepreneurship can be very desirable. If you are considering becoming an entrepreneur, it is essential to understand that there is a significant amount of work needed to achieve this lifestyle. Exploring the habits, techniques, and preparations of some of the most successful entrepreneurial ventures can help you determine what patterns and practices you possess or can develop that work best for you.
Furthering Your Ideas
If you tend to be more entrepreneurial, then by nature, you likely have ideas all the time. Having ideas is good; however, choosing the right idea can be difficult. If you are seriously considering a business venture and are juggling a few ideas, write them down. Give each idea the necessary amount of attention to ask which one you can see yourself doing long-term, provide the best opportunity for growth and sustainability, and which one you can live without doing. Further, will your idea require additional education and training?
Some of the most successful ventures share a similar trait in that the founder discovered a problem they wanted to solve in a big industry and found others that shared the same passion (Forbes). Try to determine your reason for pursuing your idea and always research and weigh your ideas and options. Check out the competition, check for commercial viability, and if or why nobody or some have succeeded. Is your idea something that you can be passionate about that others will pay you for? Is it feasible, practical, and sustainable?
Build a Network
Whether you are reaching for the stars or just trying to earn a living without having to punch a clock, growing your support system is essential. Such connections can offer resources needed to help you manifest your goals from investing, advising, researching, and offering legal advice. However, your support network does not only have to provide you with business advice or remain professional. Seeking help with a recovery support system can help you achieve your goals on a personal level. Reaching out to peers, therapists, sponsors, friends, and family that you trust can offer you a spiritual and inspirational insight to give you the confidence and motivation to believe in yourself. Remaining connected to those that help you work on yourself and recovery can also help build the resilience and commitment needed to succeed at entrepreneurship.
Work Carefully
The biggest successes don't happen overnight; they take time and careful planning. Much like your recovery, it should operate as a lifelong venture rather than quickly reaching a destination. Also, much like recovery, early achievements and early momentum do not mean that you have reached your success's pinnacle and mastered your craft. There will be challenges along the way, and most ventures in the entrepreneurial field are built slowly over the years. The slow pace allows you to learn and make adjustments to plan before committing to a venture that could set you back. These learned experiences are valuable training lessons that you can't get otherwise. You also might have to keep a day job while continuing to transition into living your desired entrepreneur lifestyle. It comes down to being able to practice patience and persistence.
Is an Entrepreneurial Lifestyle for You?
Entrepreneurs tend to be self-reliant, responsible for their successes, and take pride in creating something that can financially sustain them. While you might share many traits that all entrepreneurs have, this does not mean that you will find success for yourself. There is a certain amount of risk and reward involved, and you have to ask yourself if you are ready and resilient enough to endure this fluctuating field. Understand that early on, you might not always generate income regularly, so you might, in turn, need to live a more frugal lifestyle. You have to decide if the freedom and independence that come with being self-employed is worth risking inconsistent income, job security, and being able to evolve your idea if things aren't working out.
You should also understand that being an entrepreneur means having to wear many hats and turning your hobby into your living might not be your only focus. You might begin doing something you love but then realize that you need to take on a leadership role, including negotiating, marketing, and raising money. However, if you thrive in juggling different priorities and seizing growth opportunities, you might find that the entrepreneur's lifestyle is for you. You might also find that slowly building and investing in your idea while working another job is the right approach for you.
Entrepreneurship, like recovery, requires many tools and skills to succeed. It takes focus on continuing to learn and grow both personally and professionally. It is also learning how to separate and manage priorities to ensure you meet your mental and physical health needs. It is about staying connected and continuing to grow your network of support. If you can handle the challenges of recovery, learn from your mistakes, and always put your recovery first, then you might have all the makings of what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. At START UP Recovery, we will help you continue to expand on your network of support to allow you the best growth opportunities. We believe that success in recovery and life is rooted in transforming yourself into the person you want to be. We also understand that it is not always easy to do it alone, which is why we offer accommodations to help build the foundations you need to succeed. Don't wait to act; reach out to START UP Recovery today by calling us at (310) 773-3809.