Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset.

For the Entrepreneurial minded there is a constant need to feed the desire to move forward. We are driven to increase our knowledge in general at every chance no matter the subject, searching for the possibilities that may lie within . We welcome external motivation but do not depend on it. We understand it is never constant and as such have developed internal motivators fueled by our vision allowing us to push past the inevitable obstacles that await us.

We may be stopped but never for long, never 'dead in our tracks'! We realize that the preservation of this mindset cannot be attained by surrounding ourselves with those who lack vision or the will to advance beyond their comfort zones so we continuously seek out those who motivate and inspire us. We use every experience as a learning tool so that mistakes of the past are never mistakes of the present or future. We understand the value of money and understand even more the value of our reputation. We know that as we build and grow our businesses so must we build and master the art of 'Reputation Management' - a code of honor. We must always say what we mean and mean what we say.

We are always willing to share what we've learned and as such "infect" those around us (who are susceptible) with the entrepreneurial fever because it is always present in us. We are perpetual learners continually building on the information we've gained. We see clearly the future we want and go to work everyday to forge and bend circumstances until they crumble at our feet making real our goals. Our confidence is sometimes mistaken for arrogance, our passion for naivety. We understand, as Lao Tzu so aptly put it, "To see it in the seed, that is genius" and remain committed to the ideals of our vision.

We know that we must develop and a network of individuals to perpetuate and strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset keeping fresh and even unconventional ideas constantly at the forefront. Why? Simply put, at the very core of our economic engine is the entrepreneurial mind. At our economic infancy it served as the power source that sparked our country's historic move forward and now it continues to serve as the very fuel that prevents the engine from shutting down.

Some initially become entrepreneurs to get away from the mundane grind of the day, their bosses, the nine to five or more so now than ever before, the sense of insecurity that follows even when working for a "well established company". These are all good or even great reasons to tap the entrepreneurial spirit but look deeper and you will discover that there is more to benefit from than what was already stated. The economic system on a local and federal level acknowledges the worth of entrepreneurs not only through support organizations like the SBA but through the all important tax code. Currently there are several new provisions that were added to the tax code that benefit small businesses.

In my younger days I lived in New York but worked in New Jersey so I would drive in each day. I had to be at work at 6am so like a good soldier I was up at 4am for my journey five days a week. Now, with a set up like this I had to pay two State taxes along with my Federal tax obligation- I know, I thought it sucked then too but that's the rule. The first year I saved all my gas and toll receipts, after-all these expenses were incurred as a direct result of my employment and it stood to reason that I would be able to 'claim' for them come tax time. When the time came I went to my accountant with a shoe box of receipts-why is it always a shoe box? Anyway, after listening to my explanation of what was in the box and looking at my paperwork he informed me that, "I didn't make enough money to claim deductions". Imagine that! I didn't make enough money to claim any deductions. It may seem trivial now but at that time I was devastated. I was sure I would be able to and counted on it.

The lesson learned from that incident was nothing short of a revelation- become a cog in the economic engine and the "system" will recognize and "encourage" you. Lose the 'consumer mentality', study successful people, surround yourself with those who motivate and inspire you and practice consistent application what you've learned. Identify your 'why'-your reason for choosing this direction, a strong '"why" will make all the difference when the inevitable challenges come. Understand ultimately that being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle, not a job. Find your natural path to wealth-not money, which is a by-product of wealth by discovering your wealth profile, your entrepreneurial path of least resistance. When you earn income doing what you love then you'll never "work" another day in your life.

Join The Driven Networker as we build a community of entrepreneurial minds.
Because we Live to Learn we Learn how to Live!

Rich McNeil