Being an entrepreneur is a career on its own. Becoming your own boss and an entrepreneur is the new coveted career choice of the 21st century. People are fed up with working jobs that leave them underpaid and unfulfilled.
Although some entrepreneurs say they were born to build a company, it’s never been easier for anyone to learn entrepreneur skills that can propel them into building a successful business.
Here is a list of effective ways to build entrepreneurial skills:
1. Take a different path:
Creativity is the ability to see things differently and to provide solutions where there are gaps. To build your creativity skills, intentionally try something new. Do something that others won’t do. Read unusual books. Watch a movie in a different language. Travel to an unexpected spot. Talk to people that are out of your circle of comfort.
2. Stick with challenges.
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” — Albert Einstein.
Every successful entrepreneur has learned to develop their perseverance and tenacity muscles. The life of an entrepreneur is never smooth sailing, and it takes guts to keep going when people doubt your abilities.
To build perseverance, create a goal or challenge that is meaningful and don’t give yourself the to quit. Alternatively, give yourself a deadline to aim towards. For example, if you want to create a better blog, make a commitment to write 1,000 words every day for a year.
3. Delay gratification.
Entrepreneurs have to get used to countless failures and almost zero rewards until they finally hit the jackpot. To train yourself to be able to delay gratification, start small. Say “no” to the extra donut. Keep your old car instead of going into debt to buy a new one. Wake up at 5 a.m. on the weekends to work on your business idea instead of staying in bed.
4. Manage your own finances.
Understanding basic finance is essential in running your own company. You don’t have to be an accountant, but you should at least be able to understand the basics around cash flow, assets, and profit and loss.
Start by learning how to do your own taxes and manage your own budget and investments.
5. Volunteer to lead.
The ability to lead a team and stay organized is important when you become an entrepreneur. You can start by looking for volunteer and leadership opportunities around you. Volunteer to lead a Meetup group, start a fundraising project for your favorite non-profit organization or get involved with your local community board. Alternatively, coach a local children’s sports team or just plan your mother’s birthday party.
By getting involved in bigger roles, even if unpaid, you get to practice your time management, organization, leadership and teamwork skills.
6. Practice communication skills.
The best entrepreneurs have learned how to communicate their passion and dreams in an engaging way, both online and offline. To learn how to speak publicly, join a Toastmasters group, offer to speak at workplace parties, or even emcee at your friend’s wedding.
7. Learn from a mentor.
The value of a mentor is priceless when it comes to building entrepreneurial skills. Rather than make all the mistakes yourself, why not learn from someone else who has already made them?
Mentors are not only great sounding boards for your ideas but they also can be fantastic cheerleaders when the going gets tough. If you are lucky, you may find a mentor wiling to train you for free because they believe in you and want to give back. Some mentors will be happy to teach you in exchange for you helping them out in their own business. Others offer a paid service.
If you are young enough or at the start of your career, try to apply for internships as those are great opportunities to wet your feet in the real business world.
8. Get involved with other entrepreneurs.
Whether it’s attending entrepreneurial events, conferences, seminars or meetups; spending time with other entrepreneurs will help you grow in your own entrepreneurial skills.
It is also called networking. You can rub minds with other business minds like yours.