3 Questions to Ask Yourself If You’re Ready to Become an Entrepreneur

Today we’re featuring a special guest post from our friends at Guidant Financial! It’s one thing to dream of being your own boss but another completely to put it into action by becoming a business owner. Only problem from there on out is determining whether you’re better suited for a lifestyle as an entrepreneur or not. CEO and co-founder David Nilssen has the 3 questions you need to ask to see if the entrepreneurial road is the right one for you!

1. Is your environment influencing you positively or negatively?

Sometimes when you dream big, there are people in your life waiting in the wings to tell you that “you can’t do that,” or that your idea “will never work.” You may not be able to control what people in your life say or feel, but you can control how you react to their negativity. You can choose to ignore their comments, which have the power to erode your self-esteem, and continue on with your pursuit. Their energy will only become valid if you allow for it to influence you.

2. Are you a true entrepreneur at heart?

At the end of the day, do you think, live and breathe like a business owner?

If you can go without a paycheck for 6 – 24 months; are capable of letting a vision take priority in front of your short-term needs; perform well under pressure; have the ability to act as a solid mentor; are good at working independently and are responsible at all times, you may just fit the bill!

3. Do you possess the core characteristics of an entrepreneur?

Detail Oriented. The old saying “the devil is in the details” rings true for aspiring entrepreneurs—and you’ll need to make sure you have the focus to take care of the little things while you drive your big picture strategy.

Competitive. Every entrepreneur must love to win. It’s almost more important to some than the journey itself.

Excellent at Communicating. The ability to share one’s vision and create excitement about the venture is crucial. If you’re the only person on board for your journey, it’s bound to be a short one. You must be able to communicate your ideas clearly and passionately so others will take notice.

Flexible. Entrepreneurship means changing hats often and embracing that change. If you can’t multitask, business ownership is probably not for you.

David Nilssen is the CEO & Co-Founder of Guidant Financial. Read more tips about becoming a successful entrepreneur in his book, Making the Jump into Small Business Ownership. Follow David on Twitter @davidnilssen and @guidant.