Vivid Views is my series of articles, blog posts and press releases show-casing my work as an author and reflecting my many years in business and self-employment. They are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find enlightenment and inspiration. 'The Mindset Of An Entrepreneur' is the 4th in the series.
My home town of Aberdeen in Scotland was at one time Europe's largest fishing port. Thousands of people were employed in the fish industry which comprised everything from trawlermen to dock workers to fish houses, fish processing factories and transportation. As a young kid growing up, many of my first after-school and weekend jobs were 'in the fish'.
Quite suddenly the industry died. The fishing boats left … and the oil supply vessels moved in. Yes, oil had been discovered in the North Sea. Aberdeen would enjoy a second bonanza as the oil capital of Europe! The economy thrived and entrepreneurs formerly benefiting from opportunities created in fishing turned their attention to the big bucks to be made in North Sea support and ancillary services. I was one of them.
My activities were actually two or three times down the line from direct oil related businesses but I was in little doubt that it was the front line exploration and pumping of oil and gas that was the prime creator of the wealth which I, and so many others, were enjoying.
In due course my business activities took me to further flung corners of Britain, and Europe too. Many of these places had none of the wealth and attendant infrastructure which first fishing and then oil had created in the North East of Scotland. Yet I still found opportunities to create businesses. Lots of them. So many in fact that it led me to a startling conclusion.
What I realised was this – You don't need a 'Klondike situation' in order to prosper as an entrepreneur!
Although such a thriving scenario encourages speculation, business creation and commercial activity, that in itself is not the main source of entrepreneurial motivation. The primary driver behind any entrepreneur is the ambition to be their own man, control their own destiny and be the best they possibly can be. With that mindset you'll find opportunities and succeed anywhere!
Entrepreneurs invent solutions, create enterprises and make fortunes everywhere. They thrive in the most improbable places. Be it deserts, jungles, mountain tops, deep seas or frozen wastes, you'll find someone profiting from an opportunity they've identified. And they'll have identified that niche from first having an enquiring and inventive mind.
The entrepreneurial mindset is unique in that it must be creative, communicative and highly motivated to succeed, yet open to risk and failure. The key to entrepreneurial success therefore is little to do with the location of the business or the business sector. It is everything to do with the determination and the characteristics of the individual.
Before embarking on your self-employed adventure and becoming your own boss, ask yourself - Do you possess the right mindset? – the mindset of an entrepreneur!
I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal.
My latest novel is 'Too Early For A Glass Of Wine?' Claim your copy by clicking on the image below.
THE MINDSET OF AN ENTREPRENEUR is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this Vivid View and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.
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