What I’ve Learned From Real Successful Entrepreneurs

In recent months, I had the good fortune to become friends with very successful entrepreneurs.  As an NLP guy, I set out to really understand what makes entrepreneurs stand apart from the ‘average’ person, namely an employee.  That’s not to say anything bad about employees but there is something that distinctly stands out about entrepreneurs.

Having taught English for many years, it’s so clear to me that the education system is set up to hinder creativity and prepare people to simply work a job.

I remember interviewing an IM (internet marketer) millionaire back in January, and she told me this:

99% of all CEO’s in major companies do not have a harvard education, the people with the harvard educations work under the CEO’s. What I am saying is really successful business people have an in built frame of mind and not necessarily a Uni education.  That is the reason why 1000s of people have BIG degrees in their pocket and end up working in a supermarket.

That was huge for me, after all, how often are we told to ‘get a good job’ or ‘go back to school’.  Yet, nearly all the successful entrepreneurs I met either didn’t go to college, dropped out of college or couldn’t afford to go to college.  I often picked their brains to find out what they did, or what it was like prior to being where they are, and they all have a lot of things in common, namely the willingness to just keep going at it especially when everyone else was mocking them.  In other words, they were willing to be courageous and become leaders.

Nearly ALL of them were told, “go back to school” or “be realistic” or “get a job”.  One friend I met up with over the weekend faced a lot of hardship, until he came home with a 6-figure check.

For the longest time, I wanted to meet such people, and now they are the people I talk to the most.  As they say “You are who you hang out with”.  So I intentionally started spending more time with them and less time with people who were constantly complaining about money and I can definitely feel it is making a difference in the way I think.  Every successful entrepreneur I spoke to agreed that this is extremely important.  One gentleman even said he wouldn’t even go near people who complain about money!

Also I’m reminded of something many employees would say, “hey you should at least have a backup plan, you know, a job” yet an entrepreneur would say, “no, burn those bridges and face your fear head on because falling back on a job makes you comfortable and that keeps you stuck”.  I find that to be so true.  And it’s quite the contrast, isn’t it?

The amazing thing is, all the entrepreneurs I’ve spoken to, except for the millionaire I mentioned above, is around my age or younger!  One millionaire is my age.  Another one I met is 27.  Three 6 figure earners I know are also in their mid to late 20s!

Seeing their success at such a young age speaks volumes.  They have the lifestyle that most people merely dream of.  Success is suddenly not something far away, it’s seems incredibly close to me now, because it’s not like they took 30+ years to be where they are.  They did it within a few short years or less.  (The woman I quoted above took 18 months!)

Simply hanging out with them is so encouraging because they are constant proof of what I can do with my life.  It’s easy to be a follower, and certainly following their lead is a good thing since they obviously know what they are doing, but I know it’s also time for me to step up and take the lead.

P.S.  Do you feel stuck in your business?  If so, what that it costing you?  What if I can help you out?  Click here to learn more.