6 traits that make an entrepreneur

Contributed by Noelle Fauver, Marketing Consultant and Writer.

Heidi zak, Elon Musk, Oprah, Warren Buffet, Kendra scott, Sara Blakely and Bill Gates: Entrepreneurs can seem quite diverse, but they generally share some key qualities.

What makes an entrepreneur? Let's focus on the traits shared by most entrepreneurs and how you can take advantage of these characteristics to drive your own success.

1. Passion for connection

They say it's about who you know. The adage couldn't be more true than in the context of successful entrepreneurs. Whether it's raising investment capital, commercializing a concept, recruiting new talent, or relying on peers for support and advice, having a solid network it can seriously work for your benefit.

Not sure how to network? Build your professional network with resources like these:

2. Preparation

If there's one thing we've learned in 2020, it's that you really can't be too prepared. While few would have realized the need for a pandemic-proof business plan before this year, it has become quite clear that preparing for the worst is truly the best thing you can do for your business.

Whether it's related to your personal finances, business growth, or world events, one characteristic many entrepreneurs share is the ability to be prepared.

No one can predict the future with complete certainty, but you can be sure that your business endeavors will go through periods of ebb and flow throughout your career. To soften the blow of tough times, it's a good idea to create a plan for when disaster strikes.

Companies that have a plan and they can react with agility they are much more likely to survive tumultuous times than those who do not.

3. The ability to delegate

As an entrepreneur, whether you're just starting out or already established, you probably have a lot on your plate.

From evoking new ideas to dazzling investors to figuring out logistics, there's always something to work on. However, the burnout phenomenon is real and should be avoided at all costs if you hope to produce your best work for years to come.

A way to combat burnout? Delegate. Katie Fellenz from Trust and will advises: “If you are lucky enough to have a trusted team on your side, make sure you use your resources effectively. Start by making a list of your top priorities and tasks that you will have to handle on your own. Next, consider your team's strengths and weaknesses and delegate the remaining tasks accordingly. Use project management platforms and collaborative tools to stay in touch, monitor progress, and track task completion. "

4. Self-discipline

There is no question that starting your own business comes with hard work, hurdles, and logistics, and most of these are left to the founder. Entrepreneurs require a lot of personal drive and discipline to be successful.

For many people, a strong sense of self-discipline is something that is instilled in them at birth or early in life, but with a little dedication and practice, you can also make it one of your strongest qualities.

Improve your self-discipline with these tips:

• Make habit formation a priority by using apps or strategies like the 21 day rule. The 21-day rule says that after 21 days of prioritizing a personal or professional goal, it becomes a habit.
• Use project management tools like Asana, Trello, and Monday.com to keep track of projects and monitor their progress. And don't forget to celebrate the milestones along the way!
• Set realistic but challenging goals. Keeping a list of goals will help you keep your eye on the prize and motivate you to keep going.
• Understand your limits. Not every day will be as productive as the last, and that's okay, burnout is real! By setting daily goals, you can break down complicated projects into more manageable tasks and preserve your motivation while doing it.
• Make time for healthy habits like exercising, meditating, taking time away from your desk, sticking to a morning routine, and staying in touch with friends and family.

5. Persistence

Consider the origin stories of your favorite entrepreneurial icons. Many of them include a lot of rejection and doubt.

But with a strong sense of perseverance and drive, these entrepreneurs finally challenged the status quo and created a new reality.

Not sure how to boost your persistence? Keep these tips in mind:

• Continue your efforts
• Don't take feedback personally
• Change your strategy
• Stay positive
• Take a break and start again
• Celebrate your milestones
• Surround yourself with optimistic thinkers

6. Unwavering creativity

From Apple and Nike to Uber and Facebook, many of the world's most recognizable brands were born from a creative idea.

Although it is a natural ability for some, there are many ways to enhance your sense of creativity and avoid unproductive blocks when you are not feeling inspired.

Here are some things you can do to get those creative wheels turning:

1. Read
2. to write
3. Go for a walk
4. Draw or color
5. Spending time outdoors
6. Disconnect from your technology
7. Talk to a friend
8. Visit a museum, art gallery, or mural
9. Exercise
10. To meditate

Do not give up

Becoming an entrepreneur is rarely an easy path. With rejection, financial and logistical hurdles, it is very easy for aspiring entrepreneurs to give up on their dreams. By studying the stories of industry leaders and entrepreneurial icons, you can empower yourself and ultimately pave your own path to the top.

Noelle Fauver is a volunteer on the board of the American Marketing Association of San Diego and is a contributing editor for 365businesstips.com.