Are you considering starting your own business? This topic has been coming up frequently with some of my coaching clients. The real question is, “If I start my own business now, how can I increase my chance of success?” Let’s take a look at what successful entrepreneurs do differently.
Successful entrepreneurs have grit. They:
- Know obstacles are inevitable and find a way around them.
- Develop their abilities by finding solutions to setbacks.
- Build willpower by using it like a muscle—anticipating when they’re vulnerable, avoiding temptations, and preparing contingency plans and coping strategies.
Successful entrepreneurs focus on what they will do, rather than what they won’t do—a tactic that fosters positive energy. They know success depends on adapting to challenges and persisting, even when they’re ready to wave the white flag. And, they are open to opportunities in surprising places.
Successful Entrepreneurs are Serendipitous
Serendipitous entrepreneurs see what others don’t; they notice the un-noticed, and expect the unexpected. They turn these noticed, unexpected observations into opportunities.
As Christian Busch, PhD, writes in The Serendipity Mindset (Riverhead Books, 2020), “[Serendipity] demands a conscious effort to prompt and leverage those moments when apparently unconnected ideas or events come together in front of you to form a new pattern.” To put it simply, they connect the dots.
According to Busch, there are three types of serendipity: Archimedes, Post-it, and Thunderbolt.
- Archimedes Serendipity: When a solution to a known problem comes from an unexpected place. This type of serendipity is common for natural entrepreneurs.
- Post-it Serendipity: When a solution to a known problem is stumbled upon by exploring a different and/or unrecognized problem.
- Thunderbolt Serendipity: When a solution to an unknown problem presents itself.
Why Is This Important?
As successful entrepreneurs will tell you, no matter how strong your passion or know-how, success depends on your openness to opportunity, and how well you have trained yourself to recognize opportunities around you. You see, serendipitous entrepreneurs connect the dots between the small things and life’s bigger problems.
Busch writes, “Learn to spot serendipity.” Recognize opportunities in things, places, and with others. Connect the dots and recognize patterns.
As a coach, I notice that one of the biggest hurdles in this process is our confidence, or lack thereof. Sometimes, our need for perfectionism (and fear of failure) holds us back. But, when we accept that failure is better than no attempt, we can let go of limitations, and open to a world of possibilities.
Some successful entrepreneurs intuitively cultivate serendipity. They are open to the unexpected, able to proactively lead during times of uncertainty, and understand what is within their control. Others work to cultivate a serendipitous attitude.
What about you? If you’d like to talk about what successful entrepreneurs do differently, I’d love to hear from you. I can be reached here, on LinkedIn, or give me a call: 561-582-6060.
