As an entrepreneur, your idea is not just what sets you apart from the masses. It’s also a company’s most important asset. Therefore, it needs to deliver on three key areas:
- Utility (something people need)
- Desire (something they’ll want)
- Scalability (something investors can look at investment-return potential for)
The number of ideas we have is never-ending, but it’s up to us to take action and bring it to fruition. Without the capacity to execute an idea or to turn your thoughts into a lived experience- you will ultimately fail in life.
The scary notion is that thinkers rather than doers do not know where their next thought or project should come from. They need someone else’s input on what needs changing first and how the best execution can be done with the available resources (time). And so much more before any possible steps can be taken forward.
But imagine if there was one person whose sole job function was just coming up with new ideas all day long? That is definitely something to ponder over.
For instance, a software company owner told me about how anxious he felt making sales to customers.
He loved developing the product and also enjoyed speaking with potential clients because he believed in it. But when it came time for him to make the “ask,” he’d freeze up, stumble over himself or outright not ask for them at all—and that’s just one example!
In another instance, the CEO of a small consulting firm I spoke with says it’s hard to spread the word about his company at conferences and networking events because he is introverted, shy.
I also came across t a start-up internet company’s CEO who profoundly believes in his company’s mission but struggled morally when pitching potential employees on “the dream”.This is because he was anxious about not disclosing that they might not have enough runway money to make it through the following month if people don’t sign up.
How can someone who knows how to think of ideas do the work necessary for entrepreneurship, such as raising money and firing employees?
The first step to improving your business is to recognize that you have weaknesses and flaws. None of us like admitting these things, but it’s the only way you can improve yourself and eventually make improvements in your company as well.
The successful entrepreneurs I spoke with were very realistic about their own struggles, which ultimately led them on a path towards success. In the end, they finally recognized what they had been avoiding or procrastinating about all this time: their problems.
Believe In Your Ideas
The next critical step is to uncover your purpose and mission in order to take a leap of faith. Once you are confident that what you’re doing has meaning, it will pave the way for success and courage when faced with adversity.
For example, Maran Nelson, CEO of Clara Labs, says that the most important thing she has learned about fundraising is just believing in what you are doing. Only then will you believe that it must exist in this world.
You have to accept that it is good enough for people who need your product or service. This will help push through any discomfort one might experience when pitching their idea to investors.
Conviction is the feeling that what you are doing — even when it’s not easy and feels uncomfortable–is worth all of your time, effort, and energy.
Convincing yourself to be passionate about something different can feel like a daunting task. Still, once you’ve convinced yourself to take on this challenge, even if it gets tough sometimes—you will realize how it feels worth the effort owing to your strong conviction.
At last, finding your own way is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur. There are many different strategies that you can use to find ways outside of your comfort zone.
However, people must develop their own techniques to work best with themselves. Not only that, but they will also be able to share those tactics and approaches when working with others who may need help getting out there more often too!
For example, It can be pretty awkward and nerve-wracking to speak in front of a group, but it is one step that needs to be taken if you want the opportunity.
Make Others Believe In Your Idea
People can be a tough audience, but if you know your message and how to present it in the most persuasive way possible then success is all but assured. There are many ways to get people on board with an idea or proposal:
- Know what they want so that their needs align with yours; this will make them more apt to listen because they’ll feel like you’re addressing some of their own issues
- Do not overwhelm listeners by throwing too much information at them–too much input gets lost in translation when someone isn’t already familiarized with the topic being discussed
- Be as personable as possible while still maintaining professionalism! People enjoy hearing from real people instead of faceless companies trying desperately for attention
- Ignite their imagination by asking questions about how they would use or improve this product if it existed
- The best way to get people on board with an idea is by getting them excited. Ask questions that are going to make their jaws drop, and they will be ready for anything you propose!
Take Away
So, if you want to be an entrepreneur and think outside the box, start flexing your behavior. You’ll find that stepping up is a lot easier than sitting back. Of course, all of this takes courage– but it’s worth it in the end!
