Entrepreneurial Grit and Why You Need It
When I think about the entrepreneurs I know they all share one trait in common; the willingness and determination to do whatever it takes to see their ideas through to completion. It’s something called entrepreneurial grit, which has been used and defined by thought leaders in various ways.
University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth’s well known definition is “perseverance and passion for long-term goals” and that of author Caroline Adams Miller is “the passionate pursuit of hard goals that awes and inspires you and others to become better people, flourish emotionally, take positive risks, and live your best lives.” I keep my definition of entrepreneurial grit simple and to the point. It’s the ability to come up with an idea and turn it into something worthwhile and of value to others.
Can Entrepreneurial Grit Be Cultivated?
I was not born with an entrepreneur’s mindset. As a pre-teen I took odd jobs like babysitting and mowing lawns to make some money. It was just my mom and I and we needed the extra money for food and clothing. But as soon as I was able to have a job I left the world of entrepreneurship behind and began trading my time for money.
Based on my experiences I would say that entrepreneurial grit can be cultivated by those who desire this unique lifestyle. You can shift your mindset and develop the necessary skills to become successful.
Leadership coach and strategic planning facilitator Kerrie Mullins-Gunst has this to say in her post Benefits, Attributes, and Skills of Successful Entrepreneurs:
The process of designing, launching and running a new business, whether it is online or offline, requires a particular mindset and special skills to achieve success. Even though some studies say more than 70% of people dream of running their own business, it’s fair to say that not everyone will succeed as an entrepreneur.
Starting and running your own business involves plenty of hard work and effort over time. It requires you to learn new skills take consistent action and stay positive, even when times are tough. And yet you also get to choose to do the work you like to do, and which makes the most of your strengths and skills.
Ongoing education and learning is crucial to the process. Great focus and clarity while keeping your eye on your goal is required. Overcoming all obstacles and distractions is expected. And never be willing to give up, even when the going gets tough and it surely will at points along the way.
Online business strategist Cherry-Ann Carew says this of successful entrepreneurs in her post Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs:
Whilst successful entrepreneurs are curious and ask a lot of questions, some of which may be basic and might sound silly but, they don’t view them as such, neither do they worry about it.
They never stop learning. They’re always eager to discover new, more efficient ways to run their business more successfully, focus on managing their time, so they can serve their customers / clients and on making sales and profits.
They know marketing. They know how to get sales, because that is their focus. Everything else, they outsource.
Yes, outsourcing is another piece of the process as we move towards entrepreneurial grit. Trying to do everything yourself as an entrepreneur is like attempting to cut your own hair, change the oil in your car, and replace a broken window at your house. You’re already outsourcing so it’s not a new idea.
Entrepreneurial grit is about setting goals that actually make the people you work with want to become a better version of themselves as they witness the patience, risk-taking, self-confidence and discipline that you demonstrate as you pursue those goals.
Develop a growth mindset and the determination to see everything you start through to the end, both personally and professionally. Along with success as an entrepreneur this will make you a thought leader and role model to others in your field. Oh, the places you’ll go!
I’m author, publisher, and entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and would love to connect with you. If you are new to the world of online entrepreneurship please check out my comprehensive training on how to set up Funnels That Click and learn how to gain an unfair advantage when it comes to building a lucrative online business.
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