| I did not always have an entrepreneurial mind; as a | | | | good where you are at. This is a great test as |
| matter of fact, when I graduated college, I was very | | | | entrepreneurs don't create something out of nothing, |
| lost. I was working at a software company and for a | | | | they create something out of learning. Books are |
| few more thousand dollars, took a job at a large | | | | such an important factor of business success. |
| public company (you would laugh if I told you the | | | | Remember, in this case, you do not have the |
| name). I was doing account management for their | | | | internet which shouldn't be relied upon too heavily |
| financial clients. Because it was a work from home | | | | anyway. |
| position, the only thing I managed was the couch and | | | | 4. If somebody offered you a million dollars to never |
| DVR. After trying to ruffle a few feathers and really | | | | work again, would you? |
| make a difference in the company, I was gradually | | | | Entrepreneurs like the game. Entrepreneurs get a |
| ousted from "the group" and was eventually pushed | | | | rush out of the results they product. Ever wonder |
| out. I wasn't fired, but I was put in a situation where | | | | why Brett Favre didn't retire when everybody told |
| it was either / or. | | | | him to? He is a competitor. He obviously was not |
| Though, at this firm, I learned the true definition of | | | | doing it for the money; it's the game that is |
| the word "complacent." This brings me to the first | | | | important to the entrepreneur. |
| question which I will put forth to get your brain in | | | | 5. Do you understand the concepts of bad bets? |
| gear. Please keep in mind that these questions are | | | | Don't consider yourself an entrepreneur or risk taker |
| here to help you as they will give you some guidance | | | | because you sit at a blackjack table in Atlantic City. If |
| as to whether owning your own business would be | | | | you do now, during your next game of 21, look |
| right for you. | | | | around you and the subsequent people. Forget about |
| 1. In twenty years, one day your son or daughter will | | | | their fancy watch and attire. They are not that |
| be asked about you. More likely than not, the first | | | | successful. Stamp my guarantee on that statement. I |
| thing that will come up is your career. How do you | | | | learned this as I used to look up to these people in |
| think they will describe your career and your job? | | | | my early 20's. |
| Does that answer resonate well with you? | | | | Every now and again, you may see somebody |
| If the answer is fine with you, there are two | | | | playing who is, but they are not the "crew" that is |
| presumed scenarios. The first is that you were very | | | | typically at the tables. Entrepreneurs take calculated |
| successful and enjoy reading about entrepreneurs on | | | | bets. Though, the blackjack frame of mind may help |
| the web. Thus, I am flattered you are reading my | | | | you open your own business; entrepreneurs need to |
| article. The second is that you, more likely than not, | | | | be risk takers. Hey, you might as well save that |
| do not have an entrepreneurial frame of mind. | | | | money that you're going to give to the Trump Plaza |
| 2. How much would you invest in yourself? If you | | | | and invest it in yourself. |
| had to put a net worth on your brain, would it be | | | | 6. Would you buy a nice car on credit? |
| more or less than what someone else is paying for | | | | With regards to this question, the answer should be |
| it? Also, is that someone even using your brain? | | | | either "no" or "not again." Entrepreneurs, or good |
| If you're like many and are in this situation, you have | | | | people for that matter, do not need to show off |
| to work harder to become an entrepreneur for a | | | | their wealth. If they would like to buy something nice, |
| few reasons. The first is that your brain is not being | | | | they do not buy it on credit and they surely do not |
| put to work on a daily basis, so you have to get | | | | invest in a car. |
| that going. Additionally, because of the economy, it is | | | | 7. Is television your hobby? |
| very scary to go off on your own. So choose your | | | | I'll never forget one of the bankers at my bank telling |
| time wisely, but don't put it off too long. | | | | me that he had 7 months off with pay after getting |
| 3. If somebody put you out on the street and gave | | | | laid off from his previous job. I asked him what he |
| you $10,000 - everything else is gone. How much of | | | | did with his time. He informed me that he watched |
| that money would you spend on books? | | | | television. Entrepreneurs like to be intellectually |
| If the answer is less than $1,000, you probably are | | | | stimulated. |