Entrepreneurial Spirit - Do You Have It? Do You Want To Have It? What Is It?

According to my handy, dandy Illustrated Oxford Dictionary, an entrepreneur is: "a person who undertakes an enterprise or business, with the chance of profit or loss." Well now that's a big yawn.

But, let's take a look at the word "spirit", which actually has several different senses to the same word. Setting aside the ghostly stuff and the distilled liquor, I am tickled to share these definitions: "the vital animating essence of a person" and "a person possessing these: courage; energy; vivacity." Now we're talking.

Have you always had a burning desire to own and operate your own business based on what you are most passionate about? Possibly, you are lucky enough to already be doing so. Maybe, you started young with a lemonade stand, or other youthful enterprise, and got a taste of being your own boss that has followed you through your life nipping at your heels like a playful puppy while you worked for someone else.

Could it be that you are a part-time entrepreneur as part of a "portfolio career" that includes working a day job for someone else? Are you an accidental entrepreneur who is starting your own business because you got downsized? Or are you a stay-at-home mompreneur who wants to be with the kids, and add to the family income? Possibly you are a creative multipreneur who has developed multiple streams of income from various self-employment ventures. For example: A writer who is also a speaker and a seminar leader and a snowboarding instructor and…? You get the idea.

Wherever you fall in this spectrum, I say congratulations all you brave, enterprising souls. It is not an easy road, but it is a rewarding one. There are some great tools to help you along the way. I recommend the following three books to help you in your growth as an entrepreneur.

1. "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber

I would be remiss if I did not give high praise to one of the best-selling small business books in the world. It is an absolute must-read for anyone starting a business or wishing to turn around a floundering business. His distinction between working on your business and working in your business is worth the price of the book alone.

2. "The One Page Business Plan: For the Creative Entrepreneur" by Jim Horan

I am shocked at how many solopreneurs and small businesses are working without a written business plan. How can you know where you are going if you don't have a map of some sort? This is an easy-to-use and empowering process that creates a clear road map for your business - plus it includes an Entrepreneur's Toolkit CD.

3. "The Enlightened Entrepreneur" by Grace Bulger On the first page she writes: "If your dream is to start your own company, then let's be clear about it: you're doing more than incorporating a business related to what you do or physicalizing an outgrowth of your personality. You are giving birth to a living entity, with a spirit and soul and personality. This is a sacred creative act that demands respect. This book takes you through a process to help you create and market your own company as clearly and consciously as possible." I couldn't have said it better.

There are different levels and ways to let your own entrepreneurial spirit out to play. So all you people of "courage, energy, and vivacity" get out there. The world is awaiting your unique gifts.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

Susan Henderson is a career and life redesign coach for creative multipreneurs seeking a sustaining and meaningful life that includes their multiple interests. For further information, visit: www.susanhenderson.com You may access all issues of her twice monthly ezine, The Successful Dilettante, which contains guest interviews with people who have created satisfying lives rich in their own multiple interests and talents and willing to share their process at: www.thesuccessfuldilettante.com

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