Do you have the Entrepreneurs Mindset?

Did you laugh, or shake your head in some bemusement after reading the message "Keep Calm and be an Entrepreneur" courtesy TenFigures 

I am interested in that involuntary response of yours. For sometime now I have meant to divert my content here from just addressing new tech to spotlighting those behind the tech and what makes them tick but it was while listening to Marek Zmyslowski CEO of Jovago yesterday at a Founder Institute Lagos event that I decided to put this together. Marek was there as the Guest Speaker addressing and interacting with an exciting and diverse group of people about his experiences as an entrepreneur. Quite a ride he has had as well. He isn't stopping anytime soon. He belongs to the Age we are in now.

Talking about Age, there was the Bronze Age, the Industrialization Age and now people say we are in the Information Age. Some also call this the Machine Age. I think we have however always being within an ever present, overarching Age. The Age of the Entrepreneur.

I say so because behind all these Ages are those intrepid souls who pursue a different set of goals often divergent almost always driven to cause and not just experience change. These are the entrepreneurs. Conscious or inventors who became entrepreneurs. You can read more about the origin of the word entrepreneur here

The thing though is that entrepreneurs often don’t even use a term to describe themselves. They just go about trying to make happen something they believe should happen. They bring things to life. Henry Ford, Edison. Zuckerberg.

If you are reading this the chances are most of you are already self-defined-and-comfortable-to-be-called-entrepreneurs while some are not yet comfortable enough. So here are a few questions for you:

1. What is your concept of an Entrepreneur? 
2. Are you really ready to be an entrepreneur? 
3. How scared are you to be an entrepreneur?
4. Worried you do not have what it takes?
5. Do you believe you can learn almost anything useful and new? Or you can’t
6. If you said NO to the last question…don’t proceed. STOP NOW and ride off into the KNOWN Sunset with your beliefs intact.
7. If you said yes I hope to be able to learn almost anything useful and new…then we can continue the next part.
8. If you said YES I CAN, then awesome. We will continue.

The thing with mindset is that it’s the key determinant. So if an individual prefers to identify as a worker and NOT a Creator (which is what an entrepreneur is) then there is really is no long lasting conversation to be had as the individual will examine the world from the point of view of a worker and make decisions like a worker. If the individual is undecided - they need to engage the company of entrepreneurs and SEE and FEEL what it is like. For some, an Executive Internship maybe a way for finally coming to REALIZE what entrepreneurship really is and not just from the sidelines.

For some however, they KNOW deep down they are entrepreneurs.

How do they know?? Take a glimpse at the next in our Building A Great Company Series: What do Entrepreneurs really want?

Entrepreneurs are driven…

• To mold the world a bit into the way they see it
• To create value that benefits more people than a few
• To enjoy freedom of choice and deep financial freedom
• To be recognized for their world changing ideas and thoughts

So did you pick No.5 or 6 or 7 in the above?

Watch out for my thoughts for those who picked 5 and 6

You should also do yourself some good and check out this blog by Mark Suster 

http://bothsidesofthetable.com/ He is a 2x entrepreneur turned VC. He joined Upfront Ventures in 2007 as a General Partner after selling his company to salesforce.com. He calls it like it is.

To your success. 

Dayo

Disclaimer: Dayo Adefila is a Co-Director of Founder Institute, Lagos Chapter which is currently being set up. Opinions expressed on this blog however do not not represent those of the Founders Institute and are entirely his.