The Mindset of an Entrepreneur
When I retired from education, I floundered. I didn’t know what to do or what I wanted to do. But these “great ideas” kept popping up. My mind kept drifting to ways I could help others with my knowledge and experience. My thoughts came as if I were writing down what I would tell someone. They wouldn’t leave me alone.
So, I started writing down these ideas, including what I thought would be a great domain name and what I could do with that concept. I started responding to emails that looked as if they could help me build on my imaginary plan. And I started filing information and ideas of how to build an online business. I thought I had a message to share but didn’t know how to get it “out there”.
I was on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. Every time I thought I had a great idea I would get excited just thinking about how to present it in a way that would be profitable. I just knew I could do it. Then, that little voice in the back of my mind said, “Who do you think you’re kidding! Everyone already knows the information you think is so great. And who do you think would actually pay you for what you know?”
So, I kept alternating between fear and excitement. I developed that dreaded disease of analysis paralysis. All the reasons for not jumping into the online entrepreneurial fray kept me from moving forward with something I really wanted to do.
There were two major drawbacks that also kept me from taking further action. I was an extreme introvert who didn’t like to talk and although I thought I could share my knowledge in ways that could help people, I wanted to do it incognito. I was afraid to open myself up to scrutiny by online experts or an audience who might be too critical and think my information was worthless.
It was at least two years before I mustered up the courage to act on my ideas. What a waste of precious time!
Everyone said developing an online business was simple. And they were right. But it’s not easy. The first thing that can make you or break you is your mindset. Believing you have something worthy and valuable to share with the world that can be both helpful to others and benefit you monetarily is key.
The final mindset shift I had to make was to combine my comfortable role as an educator with the out-of-my-comfort-zone role of entrepreneur. I grew up with the mindset of an educator even before I became one. The educator mindset is one of helping people.
The whole concept of marketing myself was something I couldn’t fathom. After all, I was not a salesperson. I couldn’t sell ice water in hell! But I also knew I had to conquer that fear if I was going to realize my dream. To say I’m over it now, would not be the entire truth, because that fear continues to pop up in my mind. But I will not let fear alone defeat me.
So now, I am pairing that educator mindset with the mindset of entrepreneur. Helping people and being compensated accordingly — it’s the best of both worlds!
Mindset is one thing, but it will get you nowhere without action. And the best thing I did to take action was to secure a mentor who already knew and had implemented strategies for being successful online. Having a go-to person to rely on keeps me focused on what to do and what to do next. It’s invaluable. I know I can do it now!
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This article was originally published on my site at https://herlifehacks.com .
I’m Vicki Peel, a retired educator, blogger and low-content creator. As a former high school home economics teacher, I started H.E.R. Life Hacks to share my expertise in areas of home style, lifestyle, and food. H.E.R. stands for Home Economics Reimagined. Inner peace and self-care have never been more important than now. Download my free report, Self-Care Hacks at https://herlifehacks.com or check out my shop at https://SimpleSystemsforLife.com
