A good education is always a good start in life,
but think about this for a moment:
Most formal schooling prepares us to work for others.
If we are good at following school rules and what the
teacher says, then we will probably do okay in the
job world too.
Success in the job world, just like at school,
depends on how good you are at playing the game
of "follow the leader." When your boss says jump -
you say how high? Just like at school, the boss tells
you when to show up, imposes acceptable standards
of dress and performance, sets assignments and
deadlines etc.
If you behave yourself at school, try hard and do
your homework on time, then you are rewarded with
good marks, good report cards, good friends,
certificates, camps, vacations, trophies and
special recognition for outstanding achievement.
The job world is no different. You are rewarded
with a wage or salary, commissions, promotions,
fringe benefits, bonuses, satisfying work,
friendships, training programs, vacations and
special recognition for jobs well done.
In short, if you were good at playing "follow
the leader" at school, you'll probably be good
at playing follow the leader in the job world too.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking "working
for someone else." I'm just making a point - to be
successful in the job world, you need to be a good
follower and a good team player. This sense of
belonging and security suits most people just fine.
However, working for someone else is nothing like
being an entrepreneur and the boss of your own business.
This is where many "new-comers" in business become
horribly unstuck.
Why? To become an entrepreneur requires a
different plan or map, because you are taking a
different road, to a different destination.
You will have to be a self-starter and not rely
on others. For example, when you work a 'regular
job' your boss feeds you work and you have to do
whatever job you are given even if you hate doing
it. Your reward... a salary or wage.
Being an entrepreneur means finding WHAT to do,
HOW to do it and WHERE to market your ideas. It
requires a different mindset of focusing on
opportunity rather than security.
To survive as an entrepreneur you soon learn:
· You won't know everything, no one does.
You never stop learning.
· Motivation alone will not make you successful.
· Knowing everything about your specialty or the
manufacturing process will not overcome a lack of
business and marketing skills.
· People will not automatically rush to buy what
you have to offer.
· Without sales you are out of business.
It's not enough to just know what you know.
You also need to know what you don't know...
and what you need to know.
These can be hard lessons to learn and unfortunately,
many entrepreneurs find out too late.
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About the Author
Noel Peebles has bought, developed and sold several of his own
businesses, and has been involved with the purchase and sale
of many others. He has fifteen years of 'hands on' experience,
directing his own highly successful' retail businesses, including
franchise marketing and business development. He also has his own public
self-storage complex.
And, he's traveled extensively to over forty countries.