If you think that to be a successful entrepreneur, you have to be charismatic, appealing and follow societal norms, think again. There are personality traits that others would consider to be flaws that could actually give you the edge you need to succeed. Here are a few examples.
Being self-centered
When you are pursuing your dream of bringing a new product to market or turning another kind of business idea into a reality the danger of being too egotistical is there. You want your dream to happen so much that you eat, drink, and sleep your business, to the exclusion of everyone and everything else. It is all too easy to become too self-centered. To start to neglect your family and friends and end up alone. Living like that is not healthy.
Clearly, you do not want to do that. You need to make time in your life for the ones you care about. The best way to do that is to put them on an equal footing with your business. Set aside time in your schedule, to pick up the kids from school, for family days out and to socialize with friends. Then make sure that work does not encroach on that time.
Do the same with the time you have scheduled to work. Don’t be timid and let people interrupt you. Also, make sure that you schedule in enough time to look after your health and don’t let anything get in the way. If you do not stay strong and healthy you will not be able to achieve your business goals. Nor will you be able to be there for your family.
Being dogged and stubborn
It is important to know what you pursue your goals relentlessly. You cannot afford to let the doubts of others eat away at your ambition. Being dogged will help you to work on even when other people do not believe that what you are trying to achieve can be done.
Being a little fearful and insecure
Most people think of the successful entrepreneur as being super confident in themselves and their abilities. In reality, some of the most successful people in the world, including Elon Musk, have admitted to feeling afraid at various points on their entrepreneurial journey.
Your insecurities could highlight things within yourself or business that need changing or eliminating – try to turn a negative into a positive and work out the things that play on your mind. Being insecure and fearful can be a good thing because it makes you pause and reassess what you are doing. You just need to make sure that feeling that way does not overwhelm you. The strategies outlined in this article will help you to do that.
Successful entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes. Regardless of the personal issues you have, it is normally possible to find a way through. You can even potentially turn your weaknesses into strengths that will help you to succeed.
