7 Traits Separating an Entrepreneur from a Wantrepreneur

Most of you say you’re an entrepreneur, or planning to become an entrepreneur, but are you really who you think you are?

Most of the people don’t want to be an entrepreneur, they just kinda-want it. They put half-hearted efforts into their business and are not really passionate. Also, in most cases, they do it because these days society has created a notion that ‘entrepreneurship is cool’.

Well, sorry to disappoint, but that’s so not the case. If you’re anything like what I mentioned above, you’re a wantrepreneur. What that means is you just want to be an entrepreneur but don’t have the following traits that separate a wanna-be from the real thing.

An Absolute Purpose

Real entrepreneurs have a purpose embedded deep within themselves which holds greater importance to them than anything else. They’re willing to sacrifice anything at all. Unlike, wantrepreneurs who have no purpose and give up easily on themselves, no storm is strong enough to waver them from their path.

Elon Musk’s purpose is to increase the human life span. A purpose so strong is what keeps this man’s drive alive allowing him to hustle all out 80-100 hours a week.

Remember this: Motivation is doomed to exhaust sooner or later. Purpose is what keeps one going.

Focus On Opportunities Not The Risk

Unlike wantrepreneurs, who usually tend to avoid things because ‘it’s risky’ and ‘unpredictable’; entrepreneurs have the courage to take the plunge. They’re not afraid of new opportunities and are willing to risk almost anything regardless of how irrational it may seem to anyone else.

They don’t skip or intentionally overlook opportunities just because their hands will get dirty. An entrepreneur just believes in themselves and takes the plunge. If it resonates with an entrepreneur — it has to be done.

Sense of Urgency

Entrepreneurs have this unfathomable sense of urgency that makes them unstoppable and many times apparently unreasonable. They have a drive to do stuff. Wantreprenuers plan on doing things, umm.. later? Don’t stay stuck in the idea stage. If you wait until the right time, you’re a wantrepreneur. By the time you’re ‘ready’ the market is out there already on fire and entrepreneurs who took action when you were planning are leveraging it.

The richest place on Earth is the graveyard, because in the graveyard you’ll find ideas that never became reality. Be impatient. If you think something can be done, just do it. You’re not the only one, believe me.

Sleep is for Suckers

They don’t care if they’ve to run short of some sleep for a day, week, month, or even year. They know, their dream is more important and they cannot afford to waste their time dreaming when they can just get up and make it a reality.

Thomas Edison slept only for 3 hours and his success is evident. He had more hours than any average purpose to go after his goals. You don’t have to be that extreme. Plan for yourself and see if you can manage well with less sleep. Try to push yourself.

When the situation demands it make sure you don’t fall short of the necessary hours. This doesn’t mean you don’t prioritize the time your body needs to recuperate but never lose on an opportunity because you choose to hit that snooze button.

They Know Nothing

Socrates said, “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.”  The wisest people know they know nothing. Unfortunately, a wantrepreneur is complacent and believes that they know ‘enough’. The very day you believe that you know enough, you’ll inevitably fail.

Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investors this world has ever seen, spends 80% of his working time reading. Now, pause and reflect. What is that something this 85 year old legend doesn’t know?

Read books, attend seminars, go to workshops — just continue to learn.

They Don’t Give Their Best

What I mean is, they don’t believe “I’ll just give my best; it’s cool if it works out” or “I’ll try”. That’s a big no-no. They haven’t taken the entrepreneurial path to foster their ego and boast on social media like a wantrepreneur, but to do something, to get something, and to give something.

Real entrepreneurs, as Grant Cardone says, “Approach every situation with a whatever it takes mindset”. Yes, many times things may not work, but that doesn’t mean you’ll give up.

Henry Ford was building cars with technology that didn’t exist in his time. He just knew he had to create cars a middle-class person could own no matter what it took. He kept forging on, and today he’s a legend whose work is never to be forgotten.

Tomorrow is Not in Their Calendar

Whatever is supposed to be done, it’ll be done today. As my high-school teacher used to say, “tomorrow is just a convenient excuse.” A wantrepreneur will always seek reasons as to why they can’t start today. The only reason why you’ll not start today is you, no one else.

If you believe in your idea and have a strong purpose driving it then you’re unstoppable. Don’t wait until you get your company certificate or reply back from the investor or anything. Let no excuse be a hindrance to your success.

Change today. It’s possible. Scrutinize the above points and contemplate who you are.

“Do what you can with what you have and where you are because what you’ve is plenty.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Manifest your dream. Five years down the line you will wish you started today. If it’s hard, then do it hard. Don’t get beaten because you beat yourself.

Get started TODAY!

Article originally appeared on Lifehack.org