When I was in my 20s, I have multiple dreams such as to become a scientist, a psychologist, a successful investor, or a businessman. However, I have done none of them. As I filled my mind with failure, I was trying to figure out why. Most of the time, we have been taught to pursue our dreams, even though the dream is almost impossible to achieve such as to live forever or die without pain. Then, I reflect on myself to find the components that I should work harder on them. And, thanks to this course, step by step, I am on my way to my goal.
SMART Goals
Before I even set a goal or an objective, I learned these goals and objectives must be following the SMART rules.((the Mind Tools Content Team, SMART Goals: – How to Make Your Goals Achievable) It is an acronym that you can use to guide your goal setting. According to the rules, to make sure your goals are clear and reachable, each one should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. By reading such an article, I realized that sometimes I failed in the beginning since the plan or the dream is not SMART. This helps me gain some chances to succeed. For example, if I try to open a new coffee shop, I will more likely to operate it well under a SMART plan. A detailed plan like buy or rent the land, new brand, great locations, hire what kind of employees, and how to train them is greater than just get the money and just open it.
Risk Tolerance
However, there are other essential traits for an entrepreneur such as more willing to take risks that other people are not. Remember that entrepreneurs are those who see a need and take the risk to fill that need. While most people see a need and struggling to take action, entrepreneurs may have already working on the solutions. This is the key point for me. To work on any solutions, you need specific abilities or skills. Therefore, I have to work harder on it for any future opportunities. In addition, I think risk tolerance is one thing that keeps you positive and motivated to move forward without pushing back by failures or mistakes. Also, are you resilient enough to pick yourself up quickly, is a great question to examine yourself. After all, not everything is always heading the right way as you think it should be.
Learn from Mistakes and Don't Complain
More than that, there are many characteristics I have to learn, such as lives in the future, learn from mistakes, don't complain, constantly learning, quits bad habits, and take action. To build a successful business empire, I must always live in the future to discover future opportunities and trends rather than frequently miss the old days. Learn from mistakes is also an essential characteristic to become an entrepreneur. Why do we fall? So, we can pick ourselves up. If we always afraid of making mistakes or easily beats by them, it can be hard to step forward. Just like COVID-19 vaccines, it is built for our body to learn how to fight with them. In addition, another crucial factor is Do Not complain. Complain does not help when you have made a mistake. Instead, think of it as a great learning opportunity does help you to stand up from fall. The night is darkest just before the dawn, but you must have faith to keep waiting.
Optimistic and Problem-solving
After those critical thinkings and reflections, I started to examine my personal characteristics such as values and beliefs to gain a deeper understanding of whether I have the right mindset that's typical of successful entrepreneurs or not. However, I failed at the first one. I was not always an optimistic thinker. So, it was easier for me to trap myself in negative thinkings rather than positive ones. Moreover, it connects to problem-solving skills. You cannot solve any problems unless you believe you can.
Teamwork, Relationships, and Leadership
We cannot do everything all by ourselves. As a successful entrepreneur, you'll have to work closely with your partners. So, building great relationships with your team, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and investors gives you even more advantages along the journey. Let's be honest and modest. Many people are more gifted in their expertise than you and me. However, the next question is, can I lead and motivate them to follow me and deliver my vision? Leadership, that's also an essential topic I have to learn. Be an excellent leader and to communicate well to sell your vision of the future to investors, potential clients, and team members.
Rules and Regulations
As an entrepreneur, I should be able to navigate the rules and regulations that apply in the country I am working in. I think if I choose to learn more about a particular venture, I don't want to risk my future projects by violating the rights of another entrepreneur or organization. So, know the rules, cultures, laws, and regulations is a Must.
In conclusion, I think my disadvantages are not enough risk-tolerance, complain too much, not always optimistic, lack of problem-solving and teamwork experience, don't know enough rules and regulations, and does not learn enough communicating skills and languages. However, my advantages are I can set SMART goals, learn from past mistakes, constantly learning, and keep quitting bad habits. Therefore, I am trying to make a plan for reducing those cons. Apply the SMART goals to achieve all the reducing objectives.
Reference
the Mind Tools Content Team By the Mind Tools Content Team, Team, the M. T. C., wrote, B. T., & wrote, D. (n.d.). SMART Goals: – How to Make Your Goals Achievable. Time Management Training From MindTools.com. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm.
Shandrow, K. L. (2015, April 7). What Type of Entrepreneur Are You? (Infographic). Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244811.
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