How to know if you should start your own business (Part 2)

**Before you read this, make sure you've check out Part I of this blog series, which includes 6 signs you are definitely NOT cut out to be an entrepreneur.**
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For a long time, I was very dissatisfied in my job(s), hopping around from one to the next (even though my friends all thought my jobs were pretty cool), not knowing that I had pretty much all the qualities & traits of an entrepreneur and THAT was why I was unfulfilled

I now know I could never be truly satisfied unless I was doing my own thing & running my own show.

Maybe you can relate:
-Do you often feel bored at work?
-Do you crave greater variety in your schedule?
-Do you long to set your own hours, so you can travel whenever you want?
-Do you want to be doing work where there is no limit to your potential & the impact you're able to make?

If you answered yes to those questions, then you're likely a lot like I was before starting my business -- meaning there's a good chance that you, too, won't feel satisfied with what you are doing unless it is a creation of your own.

So how can one know for sure if starting their own business is right for them? How can one know if they really have what it takes to successfully pull off being an entrepreneur?

That's what this 2-post blog series is all about helping you figure out. In case you missed it, you can read the first post in the series, outlining 6 signs you are definitely NOT cut out to be an entrepreneur.

And as promised, in this post you'll be learning the following 2 things:
• The 8 signs you most definitely ARE cut out to be an entrepreneur
• Where to start once you do decide you should start your own business.

I spend a lot of time hanging out with & observing other entrepreneurs (I'm an observer-introvert type!), and I've also noticed which of my clients tend to choose an entrepreneurial path and those who choose to shy away from it; there's definitely trends among entrepreneurs and their personalities & preferences.

And yes, being an entrepreneur is definitely not for everyone.

So without further adieu! Here they are:

The 8 Signs you Most Definitely ARE Cut Out to Be an Entrepreneur

1. You cringe when you hear, "Some people are meant to be employees", and are fearful that might be you.
Some people have that nagging feeling they are meant to be an entrepreneur. This might show up as a hints of jealousy any time one meets someone who has their own business, frequent thoughts around what kind of business one might start, or dreamy admiration while browsing other people's websites on the net.

If you're fearful of being an employee forever, that fear is there for a reason and it likely means the seed of entrepreneurship is within you my friend. Even if becoming an entrepreneur is no more than a secret dream right now (like it was for me for many years), the seed of desire is there, and that seed is there within you because it wants to grow!

2. You love to create.
I used to think 'creativity' was reserved for poets, painters & musicians. I grew up never really believing I was creative (because I sucked at "Art class" in school, however, I'll save my rant about getting graded for "Art" another day).

In reality, creativity can be applied to things other than that which requires a paintbrush, and creativity can be applied to ways to market your business, to make an impact & to make money doing it. If you get a thrill off of coming up with new ideas & ways to make them happen, then being an entrepreneur is probably for you.

3. You like to break the rules.
Do you ever feel adverse to doing something just because someone told you to do it (without explaining to you why they want you to do it)? I personally don't even like putting my hands in the air at a concert when the performer tells the crowd to... why should I put my hands up in the air just because they told me to? Tell me why, gosh darn it!

If you dislike the status quo, don't understand why you should do something a certain way just because it's been done that way for years, don't like to follow the pack, and won't do something without first knowing or understanding why you are doing it... you're sounding an awful lot like an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs tend to dislike much of the status quo, question the way things are, and think outside of the box. They are also able to absorb & accept times when they are misunderstood by others because of these traits.

Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon, once said “Entrepreneurs must be willing to be misunderstood for long periods of time.” Other people might think you're a little nuts for starting your own business (depending on your situation) -- but if you're ok with that, then entrepreneurialism awaits you, my friend!

4. You're unpredictable.
If you follow your gut & follow your heart -- to others, there might appear to be no method to your madness; but following your gut & making instinctual decisions (or at least knowing when to) is a sure sign of a successful entrepreneur.

Furthermore, to be able to survive & thrive as an entrepreneur, one has to be flexible, able to change quickly & willing to adapt. An entrepreneurial mind knows that greatness lies outside of the realm of conformity, and so if you find yourself often experimenting and doing things your own way (which naturally makes you unpredictable), then my guess is, you've got entrepreneurial blood running through your veins.

5. You like to read.
Being a reader is a sign of interest in new ideas, new ways of thinking, and an overall open mind. Reading is an amazing way to inspire new ideas, possibilities & motivation. I personally love picking up a book any time I need a little boost, shift in state, or swift kick in the butt.

As a reader, you will be more likely to feel inspired as an entrepreneur, implement new and fresh concepts in your business, and continually grow and improve not only your business, but your person. The best part about this one if you aren't already a person who reads... it's easy to do!

6. You quickly get bored at a new job.
I used to refer to myself as a "serial job quitter", hopping around from one job to the next and never quite feeling satisfied. I would start a new job, find it exciting in the beginning, and then quickly become bored of it.

I was extremely unmotivated & bored whenever I was working for other people (even though some of them were jobs that from the outside sounded pretty cool!).

If that story sounds familiar (or maybe you've stuck out your job despite the boredom), then you might want to re-consider your "employee" status.

7. You're passionate.
As I mentioned in Part I, persistence is key in pursuing your business dreams, and many people give up before they reach the level of success they desire (and might have seen if they stuck with it). One of the things that will give you the motivation you need to be persistent, even when times are tough at the beginning, is PASSION.

Passion for what you are doing is so important in business, not only because it will give you the ability to be persistent when you need to be, but also because it will attract other people to you.

Passion is incredibly contagious and is essential in attracting the people and opportunities you need to be successful in business.

This is why I love helping people to start businesses they are passionate about, and that are in alignment with their purpose, because not only are they going to feel happier, they are also going to make a bigger impact & be far more successful!

8. You value freedom.
One can work in a job as an employee and earn a very lucrative income, while feeling that they are making a difference, but one thing you are never going to have in this situation is autonomy over your time (with rare exceptions).

If freedom to create your own schedule, take vacations when you want, and possibly live & work from anywhere, trumps your desire for a steady pay cheque and consistent weekends off, then being an entrepreneur is likely in your line of interest.

So there you have it!

Hopefully this has given you some clear insight into knowing if you should start your own business.

Many, many people around the world are waking up to the greater potential inside of them, sensing that there is a greater mission for their life, and at the same time, feeling deeply called to create something new & to step into the realm of entrepreneurship (even if it's totally unfamiliar).

Here's to fulfilling your life's work & living out your highest purpose,

-Rebecca