I want to be like an entrepreneur, but how?

1) Following expectations vs Setting goals mindset– As an employee, we follow orders from the top and execute. We are expected to arrive in the office at 9am and leave at 5pm. We are asked to submit a report by a certain deadlines, which we adhere to. Entrepreneur sets measureable goals, ranging from their business plan to achieving the lifestyle they want, as well as revenue generation and obstacles that affect their business. They are the ones who call the shot.

2) Seeking vs Leading mindset – Employees are constrained by unnecessary company rules; they seek directions and orders from management before making a decision. An entrepreneur leads. They develop a strategic vision, learn to motivate others towards a common goal, communicate effectively and set expectations for themselves and the business.

3) Ditch the 40/40/40 mindset– It may be time to abandon the 40 hours work week, retiring 40 years later, relying on 40% of your income. As the old adage goes, “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life most people won’t, so that you can live rest of your life most people can’t.” Instead, if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Begin to enjoy your life sooner rather than later.

4) Hearing vs Listening – It seems like they serve the same purpose. There are important variations between these two. Hearing is described as sound entering your ears whether or not you want it to. Listening, on the contrary, required effort and critical thinking while you were paying attention to what was conversed. Do you follow your boss’s orders or listen to what your client has to say?

5) Dependency vs Independency – Employee depends on the company to compensate them for their role by completing tasks that they are given. Entrepreneur’s independent mindset gets compensate based on their own result depending on the work they do. I promised you that it will be a rewarding journey building up your own business, seeing it grew that will lead success to you.

6) Conform the rules vs Break the rules – Think out of the box and step out of your comfort zone! In an article for TIME magazine, Warren Buffett – CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, said, “People will always try to stop you doing the right thing if it is unconventional.” You follow the rules as an employee because violating them could result in dismissal. There are no rules for an entrepreneur; in reality, they are paid for violating them! Besides, if you’re relying on someone else’s “rules”, you’re building theirs business, not yours.

7) Embrace failure – Start viewing failure as a catalyst for growth. Employee failed at their job because they make mistakes which puts them in danger of being fired. Mistakes are frown upon in the conventional world and colleagues may start pointing fingers and shifting blames. An Entrepreneur regards mistakes as valuable lessons, a pathway that guides them to success. Only after around 1,000 attempts did Thomas Edison succeed in inventing the light bulb. What does this say about the importance of making mistakes and failing? They learn, develop and improve.

8) Alter your self-talk – Once you become conscious of it, you will notice that we are naturally self-talking during the day. People are paying more attention on positive self-talking, a powerful tool for boosting confidence, increase productivity and curb negative emotions. Our internal monologues are a clear reflection of our state of mind. Negative thoughts will manifest in a reality that is hostile to you. Shift your negative self-talk to an empowering speech to improve your outlook.