Understanding the Innovative Mindsets of Successful Entrepreneurs

11 min read
Jun 11, 2021

Entrepreneurs are the movers and shakers of American society. They take major risks to follow their dreams, and they often reap rewards that are extraordinary as a result. Their jobs are terrifying, exciting, and fulfilling, often pushing them to their limits every day. So how do successful entrepreneurs operate? What do they do to stay mentally sharp and motivate their teams to succeed?

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."

 — Henry Ford

In this day and age, being an entrepreneur can be extremely challenging. CEOs carry a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, and it can often be difficult to determine how to approach leadership in an innovative manner. That being said, the most successful entrepreneurs have their minds set on creating a wonderful work environment for their employees. Providing incredible services for their clients and maintaining an open mind when it comes to changing their organization's procedures.

"An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down."

 —Reid Hoffman 

11 Mindset of Successful Entrepreneurs 

Following your dreams has never been easy, but anything worthwhile rarely is. Too often, the stepping stone to success is a failure. But pulling your bootstraps up and continuing to fight for what you want is the answer: Persistence pays off! Here are the innovative mindsets of successful entrepreneurs.

 

excelling-in-your-industry

 

1. They Prioritize People

Prioritizing people is extremely important in today's society. While facts and figures are certainly important to illustrate the growth of your company, it's also essential to follow your instincts when you're pitching to a new client. Certain people do appreciate a fact-based approach, while others may prefer an advertisement that tugs at their heartstrings. Both strategies can be effective, but it's paramount to have an open mind when it comes to exploring new ideas. 

2. They Use Their Expertise to Help Others

There are many CEOs who are experts in their fields, and many newcomers who are still struggling. It can certainly be satisfying to be the smartest person in the room. But it's much more helpful to share your knowledge with others who are still learning: This will likely help your coworkers improve their performance, and it will probably lead to more success for your company in the long run. 

3. They Focus on Providing Excellent Products and Services

It is definitely easy to focus on the bottom line when you're running a business. That is certainly very important. However, prioritizing excellent customer service, products, and services is what will get you there. If you have happy, energetic employees and satisfied clients, you're often halfway there. 

4. They Eliminate Ineffective Strategies and Procedures 

Naturally, each organization must maintain a certain set of procedures in order to ensure that their company is running effectively and efficiently. If these are working well, then, by all means, keep them. However, if one of your coworkers suggests a different approach that might improve the process, it's important to be flexible. 

5. They are Open to New Ideas

There is so much going on in this world, from the pandemic to the fight for racial justice to the many struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. Everything is always transforming, and it's important to go along for the ride, even if it is uncomfortable at times. If one of your coworkers suggests something new, don't be afraid to try it. Sometimes, taking a risk will lead to loads of success in the long run! 

Female entrepreneur giving a lecture to a group of people in a conference room.

6. They Ask Questions

It can be terrifying to ask questions. Especially when you feel like everyone else in the room knows exactly what they're doing, but that's not always the case. If you have something on your mind, don't be afraid to voice your concerns. It's okay to be confused about a certain issue, or hesitant about implementing a particular procedure. After all, it would be very challenging for any organization to improve if no one ever asked any questions. 

7. They're Independent

Successful entrepreneurs don't follow anyone else's rules, and they're incredibly self-sufficient. They aren't afraid to stand out from the crowd. On the contrary, they're proud of being different. 

8. They're Responsible

Successful entrepreneurs understand that great freedom comes with equally great responsibility. They don't shy away from working hard to make their dreams come true. Eventually, all the blood, sweat, and tears almost always pay off. 

9. They Believe in Themselves

Successful entrepreneurs risk large sums of money to build innovative companies that often make the world a better place. In the process, they may struggle to earn enough revenue for the first few years. Building a business to a point where it is actually profitable usually takes a great deal of time and energy, but they never give up. As far as finances go, they know that the sky's the limit! 

They understand that money comes and goes, and they seize all the opportunities they can to succeed. Successful entrepreneurs understand that, with hard work and determination, they can increase their earnings. 

successful-entrepreneurs

 

10. They're Not Afraid of Failure

The harsh truth is that, sometimes, businesses fail before they succeed. Sometimes it takes more than five years for entrepreneurs to reach their goals. Founding a business from the ground up takes blood, sweat, and tears, and, sometimes, all of your efforts fail, but at least you tried. Wouldn't you rather try and fail than never try at all?

Successful entrepreneurs understand that taking chances is the spice of life, and they risk a great deal in the process. Sometimes, they succeed, and sometimes they don't, but, at the end of the day, they learn from their failures and continue working towards their dreams. Successful entrepreneurs don't quit until they reach their goals, even if that means enduring many struggles on their path to success. 

11. They Learn from Their Mistakes

In any aspect of life, whether it's professional or personal, learning from one's mistakes is paramount: Sometimes, you can't understand what you're doing wrong until someone else tells you. Although this process can be extremely painful, you can choose to use it as a catalyst for growth. 

Being a successful entrepreneur is certainly a challenge, especially during trying times. But it is important to maintain a positive mindset and motivate everyone around you. After all, the best leaders listen to their followers and learn from their ideas. 

It may be tempting to remain stuck in your ways because they are all too familiar. But it's essential to adopt a mindset that allows for transformation and flexibility so that you can serve your clients effectively and ensure that your employees remain happy and healthy. This will likely lead to an extremely productive workforce who gives their all to your company! 

 

8 Successful Entrepreneurs Whose Visions Have Catapulted Their Companies to Success 

There are many incredibly successful entrepreneurs, from Oprah Winfrey to Larry Page, who have achieved enormous company success. They are happy to offer advice to everyone who is working towards their dreams, and they do so with deep wisdom, having experienced the climb to the top and the beautiful view when they arrived.

1. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is an absolutely incredible author, actress, philanthropist, television producer, and talk show host. She forged a life of fame, wealth, and success for herself through inspiring others and maintaining a strong moral compass despite all of life's ups and downs. Oprah Winfrey's name will forever be revered by many. 

"Be thankful for what you have; you will end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." 

 —Oprah Winfrey

Focusing on Your Spending

So many people struggle with their relationship with money. It's important to remember that every bit counts, especially if you are earning any amount of revenue by pursuing your passion in life. It will not always be easy, but practicing gratitude is an excellent way to manifest more abundance into your life.

Furthermore, it's essential to focus on your own spending habits, which is also a form of gratitude: If you are a millionaire, and you don't watch your spending, you may still struggle to make ends meet, particularly if you're living an extremely lavish lifestyle. At the end of the day, any financial expert will tell you that your spending habits matter even more than your annual salary: If you spend too much, you'll likely always feel like you need more cash. On the other hand, if you diligently save and invest your earnings, you'll almost always feel extremely comfortable and have a bit extra to spend when you're feeling indulgent. 

"Be ready to meet the moment." 

 —Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is so inspirational in part because the woman is incredibly self-reflective, and has deep wisdom to share about living her best life and inspiring others to do the same. She explains that it's paramount to be prepared for your greatness in every way possible. She poignantly points out that success only comes when the recipient is truly ready to receive it. This is a beautiful sentiment and one that is very powerful. If you focus on honing your skills and improving your performance while ensuring that you're in a good place mentally and physically, the results you've been working so hard for are more likely to come to you.  

2. Larry Page

"Always deliver more than expected."

 — Larry Page

Larry Page co-founded Google with Sergey Brin way back in 1997. It's no wonder the man is such a success if he has this approach to business: In a world where many companies are focused solely on the bottom line, Page and Brin took the time and energy required to perfect what they were offering to the world.  

Many incredible actors, authors, and business people will tell you that their revenue increased significantly when they began focusing on the process instead of on the results! After all, it is evident to your clients when you've exerted a great deal of effort in creating your products and services. This mindset can certainly help you stand out amongst the stiff competition. 

3. Sergey Brin 

"We do lots of stuff. The only way you are going to have success to have lots of failures first." 

 —Sergey Brin 

It is common knowledge that most extremely successful people, regardless of the field they are in, have struggled for many years. Many actors and musicians have stories of living in poverty for ten years before they finally accomplished their dreams and became extremely wealthy. Many business people have to endure dissatisfied clients until they finally learn how to sell their services in a way that is simultaneously approachable, friendly, and effective. Doing business isn't easy, and neither is founding your own company. If it's any consolation, jobs that are easy are rarely worth pursuing in the long run.

 

4. Richard Branson

"Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one coming." 

 — Richard Branson

As an entrepreneur, the unpredictability of income can be a major challenge for many. Fortunately, there is also an upside to this reality: No matter how many failures you have endured, there is always another opportunity for success! 

5. Elon Musk

"When something is important enough, you do it even the odds are not in your favor." 

 — Elon Musk

It couldn't have been easy for this man to co-found PayPal, be the lead designer of SpaceX, be the founder of The Boring Company, and be the co-founder, CEO, and product architect of Tesla. Musk is definitely a pro at time management! 

This man's words of advice exhibit his tremendous work ethic. Illustrating that, no matter the challenges, determination, blood, sweat, and tears will lead to success. It may take weeks, months, or even years to reach your goals, but, if you stick to them, you will eventually become successful.

6. Christien Bouc

"Enjoy doing something you love. Be your own boss, get up inspired and motivated to work. Keep making progress and growing physically, mentally, and in business."

 — Christien Bouc

Christien Bouc is an extremely successful businessman. He is the founder of Bouc Media, a company that helps its clients increase engagement on social media and currently brings in around $500,000 per year. Even though he has accomplished so much, he continues to work towards increasing his organization's revenue: His goal is to scale his business to seven figures in 2021.

It is clear that Christien Bouc loves his job: He enjoys the freedom of working for himself, and he's happy. Bouc is an inspiration because he shows everyone that it is possible to make a great deal of money doing what you love. Who doesn't want to be excited about going to work every day? 

It's also important to focus on your overall health so that you can put your best foot forward when it comes to your business, and Bouc is a prime example of that. Too often, we think that working ourselves to the bone, hour after hour, neglecting sleep in the process, is the path to success. While a strong work ethic is essential, it's also extremely important to take care of your body and mind in the process. 

7. Melissa Meza

"Your current situation is rarely your final destination. Learn to enjoy the journey of life...even when on a detour." 

 — Melissa Meza

Melissa Meza is the director of GG Homes and the co-founder of Rise Up Residential, which is a non-profit organization that is focused on creating sustainable micro-housing. This incredible company is helping to combat the homeless crisis that many veterans and single mothers face in southern California. Meza would eventually like to offer similar options to urban communities across the country. She is simultaneously an excellent real estate agent, with a staggering 19 years of experience in the industry, and an extremely compassionate individual who wants to help those who are most vulnerable. 

Her statement is inspiring because entrepreneurs often become discouraged when they don't earn as much as they'd like to from their work right away, but the good news is that taking the journey will teach you a lot along the way, and you may learn lessons that will help you for the rest of your life, such as learning how to budget effectively or enjoying the process of work rather than focusing on the results. At the end of the day, there is often a shiny pot of gold with your name on it waiting for you after you've made your way through the many storms that often come with risking everything to follow your dreams. 

8. Markuss Hussle 

"No matter what your background is, you can still make it in life. It's all about your perspective and how determined you are to change it!" 

 — Markuss Hussle

Markuss Hussle is a digital marketer who is based in the United Kingdom. He assists people with no experience in starting extremely profitable agencies. Impressively, the man is only 22! His statement illustrates that it doesn't matter if you don't have a conventional education, or you aren't where you'd like to be financially: Anyone can make their dreams come true if they are willing to do the work. 

 

Conclusion

While entrepreneurship involves a lot of risks, the rewards are extraordinary when you finally find success. If you are struggling to motivate yourself with continuing to follow your dreams, don't give up just yet: There's still time. Sometimes, it takes years to build a successful business, and learning from the failures along the way is often the path to enormous success in the future. It's important to remain optimistic, even when times get tough. After all, even the biggest obstacles are there to teach us lessons we still need to learn and, when the time is right, you will find success. In the meantime, as Oprah Winfrey would say, you must "prepare yourself to meet the moment."

If you want to learn how to increase your sales and attract more clients, we offer an excellent course that goes into great detail about how to scale your business from six figures to eight figures! You can learn more here. Please contact us to inquire about our upcoming coaching and training programs for entrepreneurs.

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