subject: Business Owners Must Already Possess a Business Mindset Right? [print this page] Business Owners Must Already Possess a Business Mindset Right?
It's an unfortunate fact that many business owners don't really own businesses. They own a job and the businesses own them. Let me clarify.
The Entrepreneurial Seizure
Most businesses start with the entrepreneurial seizure. You're sat in your office one day and your boss does or says something that annoys you. Nothing new about that but this time it's different. This time you think "I've had enough of this, I can do this job better than my boss can... and that's what I'll do, I'll start my own business!"
That's the entrepreneurial ceasure and that's how it all begins. Within months you've ditched your job, your shiny new business is up and running and you're finally your own boss, life is sweet.
Full marks for taking action but go and sit on the naughty step. Why? Let's fast forward a year.
The Unfortunate Outcome
This job you used to be good at, this job you sometimes use to enjoy. You still are good at it but something's changed, It's not like you thought it'd be.
No-one told you you'd be working 14 hour days, 6 days a week to make ends meet. No-one told you that you'd be dreading each working day even more than when you had a boss. I wonder how the old boss is getting on, I wonder if he'll take me back.
And that's the story of many business owners. What on earth went wrong? What was missing?
It Doesn't Have to be Like This
The truth is, many new business owners are excellent at their job, but being good at a job and building a successful business out of it are worlds apart and require completely different skills. Building a business requires and a completely new mindset, a business mindset. This is what's missing and this is what went wrong.
Develop a business mindset first and this doesn't have to be you, the above story will be completely different. A year down the line will not be the end for you, it'll mark the beginning of your new found freedom, fulfilment and wealth.
If you're already at the 14 hour day stage it's not too late, you can turn things around but it'll take work, a new mindset and a belief that there is another way. You've already taken the first step by reading this. Now you need to learn more, much more and then take action. You're in the right place.
So, to answer to the headline question... well, I think I already did that but to summarise: there's little correlation between the majority of business owners and the possession of a true business mindset, hence the high small business failure rate.
