Week 6--So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur

So I want to be an entrepreneur? Well, that decision is still yet to be made, but I am learning valuable things that would help me if I do decide that being an entrepreneur is for me.

This week I loved that self-mastery was taught. "If you want to be successful or outstanding in any field of endeavor, it is important that you determine while young to be a great boy, (girl) and not wait to be a man (woman) to be a great man (woman); and then have the courage and strength and determination to discipline yourself, apply self-control and self-mastery" (N. Eldon Tanner, "Success Is Gauged by Self-Mastery", General Conference, April 1975)  I was recently told that I start a lot of things but never finish anything. This statement was hard to hear, it stung a little bit. I'm not sure I agree with it 100%, but there probably is some truth to it.  I thought about that comment this week as I read about self-mastery and wondered if maybe one reason I don't finish things is because maybe I am not disciplined, I don't apply myself, and haven't attained self-mastery. What am I passionate about?  What do I want to accomplish in my life? This is something I want to figure out. I am looking forward to spending some time over the next few weeks really thinking about which course I would like to take. A course that I can master because I am excited about it. 

Another thing I learned this week was that anyone can be an entrepreneur. You don't have to have a degree in business, although it does help. In the article, "So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?"(Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence, "So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur", 2008) there are three suggestions given that would be helpful and should be considered if starting up your own business. Those three things are:

1. In-depth knowledge of the competitive structure of an industry and a network of contacts within that industry.
2. The skills to run the daily operations of a small, rapidly growing company.
3. The ability to raise money.

One thing I have been concerned about is how to balance a family with an entrepreneur career. I was grateful to hear that Steve Blank sets strict family schedules to make sure they have time together. He commented on making sure you don't let your start up take over your life. I liked how he would make sure he was home for dinner, spend time with the kids, and then once they were in bed he would work some more. His family is a high priority so he makes it work. I guess that is the key, your highest priority will have the most time spent on it. If your family is your highest priority, you will make time for them.