What Not to Do as an Entrepreneur

In our time, thanks to the internet, a lot of small businesses and start ups have popped up, from software makers to countless websites. Aside from the ease that the internet has brought upon, there has been a rise in the interest of the mega rich. Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson aren’t just people known in the business world, they’ve become household names. More and more people are now dreaming to be the next big CEO, but the truth is, not everyone is cut to be an entrepreneur. Yes, it’s good to have a big dream, but we still have to know ourselves first if we’re really interested in business.

As a reality check, here is What Not to Do as an Entrepreneur, a list of things that entrepreneurs don’t do that most people don’t know about business people.

They Don’t Live Normal Lives

Here’s the deal, if you don’t have a super brain or a great idea that can sell like pancakes, you’ll probably work hard to get rich. But working hard is not the 8 to 5 stretch or working until retirement age. The truth is, rich people are workaholics. But I’m a workaholic, you say, can you be as workaholic as Steve Jobs? Here’s an excerpt from Gawker.com –

“He [Steve Jobs] clearly didn’t have the time,” is what the director of Jobs’ short-lived charitable foundation told the New York Times. That sounds about right. Jobs did not lead a balanced life. He was professionally relentless. He worked long hours, and remained CEO of Apple through his illness until six weeks before he died. The result was amazing products the world appreciates. But that doesn’t mean Jobs’ workaholic regimen is one to emulate.”

If you’re planning to be a massive entrepreneur, you have to make sacrifices. It can be in the form of your hobbies and little pleasures, but it can also come in the form of family and friends, and ultimately your health.

They Do Not Care Too Much about Money

Many are attracted to be entrepreneurs because of the money. I don’t consider money as evil, but great business exceeds that. Bill gates and Warren Buffett have pledged most of their money to charity, and they’re convincing other billionaires to join the fold. If you’ve noticed Mr. Gates, coming up and down the world’s richest people list is because of his philanthropy (he gave 28 billion dollars to charity last 2010.)

Do not follow money, follow your passion instead. These mega billionaires have business as their passion, not giving a damn on how much they make as long as they’re doing what they love. Follow your passion and money will follow.

They Don’t Dilly Dally

Entrepreneurs are huge risk takers. When they believe in an idea, they risk everything just to pursue it. They don’t dilly dally, they go at it with the ferocity of a lion against her prey. This means leaving your day job, selling your house to acquire money, or taking a loan from a bank to have money to invest. They’re not exactly fearless, they still have that voice in their heads that tell them what’s scary or not, but they don’t let that small voice dictate the actions they are about to take.