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Think Like An Entrepreneur: 4 Entrepreneurship Principles to Apply to Your Professional Career

Here are four simple entrepreneurship principles you can apply to your professional career.


Last Update – January 2, 2014

A little entrepreneurial zeal can give you a distinct advantage in your professional life. So how do you train your corporate mind to think more like an entrepreneur?

Here are four simple entrepreneurship principles you can apply to your professional career.

 

1. Get Passionate

Entrepreneurs are passionate about their work—and in the long-term, this is essential for success and fulfillment in any career. So, if you’re spending most of the day dreaming about how you’d rather be doing something else, it’s time to pivot — make a change in your career.

Look for ways to transfer your current skill set into a career that better suits your life’s ambitions. Can you take what you’ve learned, the position you hold, and apply it to another industry? Absolutely. Or if you’re risk averse, transition to another department within your company. If you’re not passionate about your current career, don’t stay “stuck.” Instead, look to apply your unique skills elsewhere.

 

2. Never Tolerate Inefficiency

Do you find yourself, or your colleagues, waiting around for instruction in order to move forward with daily tasks? Or are you and your team members entrenched in work processes that are too slow?

Entrepreneurs don’t have a high tolerance for inefficiency—and because we don’t have corporate red tape to cut through, we can fix workflow issues rather quickly.

While you might not be able to make changes at quite the same pace, become cognizant of the inefficiencies in your organization and consider ways you can recommend improvements and implement solutions. It can serve as a golden opportunity for you to create long-term value for your company.

 

3. Take on Risk

You’ve likely heard people say, “No guts! No glory!” or “More risk, more reward!”

One of the most prominent traits that set an entrepreneurs apart from the average professional is their appetite for risk.. Yes, putting yourself out there isn’t easy, but a small business owner knows that you have to give it a shot (or many shots). And in return you’ll be in a position to receive bigger rewards when a huge risk pays off.

Keep your companies mission and goals in mind. Then start small by pitching new ideas. Or volunteer to take on a challenging new project — step outside of your comfort zone. Because the potential reward —gaining new skills, a nod of approval from the CEO, or landing a promotion—can be huge.

 

4. Don’t Limit Your Dreams

The most important aspect of entrepreneurship is operating with boundlessness. Most people are conditioned, as they go through school and into the workforce, to be realistic and practical.

Successful entrepreneurs realize that there’s limited reward in practicality. And dreaming big is a necessity. You’ll have to work for it, but believe me — it’s worth it.

So, think like an entrepreneur, and dream big in your career!

 

Doreen Bloch is the author of the book, The Coolest Startups in America, and is the CEO and Founder of Poshly Inc. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business where she was awarded the Jack Larson Fellowship for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

 

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