But first, let’s define those two competing mindsets:
An Employee Mindset seeks a safe, secure job with benefits. A person with that mindset has a core value that strives for security above all else.
Such persons:
- Are comfortable with trading time for money
- Are not risk takers
- Wait to be told what to do
- Believe that company managers don’t do any real work for the business — in their view, it is the company employees (those doing “physical labor”) who do all the “real” work
Someone with an Entrepreneur/Business Owner mindset understands that he or she alone is responsible for client acquisition and income generation. This person’s core value strives for freedom.
Other factors include:
- Works to develop passive income
- Routinely takes risks
- Takes initiative/Plans own work schedule
- Understands the role and contributions of the manager
Obviously, the mindset that we need to be successful as a self-employed entrepreneur is the Entrepreneur/Business Owner mindset.
So, can someone with an employee mindset become a successful entrepreneur?
Absolutely!
However, the employee mindset must be discarded first. To begin to make the switch, you must come to the following realizations:
- Realize that working for someone else never guarantees you a job
- Realize that sitting around and sulking after a job loss does not help your situation
- Realize that blaming others for your misfortune (a former employer, for example) does not change your situation
- Realize that it is up to you alone to take action to improve your circumstance
Join the Discussion
acoolmil
Premium
Years of workng for other people is bound to have a big impact on a persons brain. When you arrive, when you can leave, when you take holidays, when you have your tea break / lunch break, who you can speak to and how you address them are just some of the restrictions placed on employees. That is before you even consider appraisals, reviews, promotions, transfers, threat of redundancy etc. Is it any wonder that employees have a different mindset?
Reply
Joshua0853
Premium
Thank you acoolmil. You are exactly right, which makes it difficult for some to ever change. However, I firmly believe that EVERYONE can be motivated to change whenever they reach a point in life where it is more painful to remain where they are than it is to make necessary changes to improve their lot.
Joshua0853
Premium
Thanks AnnieB. That is what is so great about this community. Although we are all striving to become our best and are working hard to attain some level of success, we don't do so at the expense of others. The level of commitment to share knowledge and to encourage one another within WA is unlike anything I have ever seen in 60 years of life. And, I mean that sincerely!
Joshua0853
Premium
Stepping Stones to
Premium
You are so right on. This is more critical than which path we take to get there. Mindset is what allows us to stay on the path.
Joshua0853
Premium
