When you think of a successful entrepreneur, you immediately think of personality traits or values ​​that define who they are. Richard Branson is associated with fun. Anita Roddick was an environmentalist. Steve Jobs lived by simplicity. Each of these evokes an emotional connection to what they were good at (Richard still is).

So what is an entrepreneur? What is entrepreneurship? There are many definitions, but the one that rings true to me is Peter Drucker’s.

“This defines the entrepreneur and entrepreneurship: the entrepreneur always looks for change, responds to it and exploits it as an opportunity.”

Does this ring true to you? Do you aspire to think like an entrepreneur?

Here are five characteristics of entrepreneurial thinking based on my work with clients I coach to change their own internal barriers and move forward to create incredible change. If you’re a business owner and you’re stuck in a rut, use these strategies to break the chains that are holding you back:

1. Have a goal and a plan, and work on it

Make sure your goal is as specific as possible. If your goal is to increase your income, be specific about how much. Decide your time frame – when you want your goal to be achieved. Create your plan to achieve your goal and get going. Don’t procrastinate. If your plan isn’t going your way, don’t give up. The secret is to have a plan. The content of the plan may change, you will make corrections as you go, but as long as you persist regularly, you will reach your goal. It can be uncomfortable at first. You may feel like you’re not making progress, but after a while things will start to happen very quickly to help you reach your goal. Persistence works.

2. Overcome your limiting beliefs

It is very likely that what prevents you from achieving what you want to do is YOU. Your attitudes and behaviors are influenced by your self-confidence. Stop and listen to the voice in your head. Is it negative to tell you that you are not good enough or that you cannot afford xyz? Where does it come from? When faced with a problem, sit down and try to write as many reasons as you can think of (and a few) on half a sheet of paper why you can’t do it. Then, on the other half, write the exact opposite. Focus on why you can. It is a very good exercise to find out what in your past or childhood influenced your mind to believe the way you do. When you’re done, ACTIVATE THE SWITCH. Use positive wording. When you wake up in the morning, make your first thoughts positive as they will influence your mood for the rest of the day.

3. Your five best friends

Jim Rohn, a well-known entrepreneur and motivational speaker said that “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Look around you, who do you spend time with? Are these people capable of motivating you to achieve your goals? Can they help you on your journey? If your friends are living a mundane existence, it’s probably comfortable for you to do the same. Buck up. Look for new alliances that help him get to where he wants to be. Start with your goal and identify what skills and supports you will need. Identify five people and connect with them. One can be your mentor. One can be someone with characteristics that you want to emulate. You can be someone with the contacts and networks you need. Check your networks. Are there new networks you can join that can open doors for you?

4. Get a mentor

As Richard Branson said, when you think of the missing link between a promising entrepreneur and a successful one, mentoring is what comes to mind. On a lonely journey toward discovery and success, a mentor provides a trusted arm and beacon along the way. You don’t have to be a business owner to have a mentor. You just need to have a goal and a strong desire to get there. A good mentor will guide you along the way.

5. The power of the mastermind

Napoleon Hill in “Think and Grow Rich” spoke of the power of the master mind. Bring two or more minds together and you will create “an invisible third intangible akin to a third mind (the master mind). Bring two or more people together to work on their own businesses in an atmosphere of mutual love, trust and hard work together with Voluntary work”. Responsibility Will Strengthen Every Business Over Time A well-functioning mastermind group will achieve results through learning, sharing new ideas, and stimulating new ideas and business models.

Put these strategies into practice and watch the world move to make way for you and your goals.