New Jersey Entrepreneur

The adjective successful is often used to describe the entrepreneur as judged by the many external measures of it: the successful launch of a public company, the top business title, multiple houses and the latest sports car. The more symbols there are, the more the word "successful" is used. Count how many times Donald Trump uses the word successful when describing anything associated with his name. He personally has branded himself a success and meticulously puts in place the symbols for people to draw that conclusion.

But symbolic success is one thing and day to day enjoyment and proficiency at being an entrepreneur is another. The symbols are just what they are intended to be "symbols", but living the life of an entrepreneur is not the same. The sacrafices that are made day in day out by virtually all individuals taking on business startup or being a business owner through most of their business career are often overlooked. When people see entrepreneurs such as Donald Trump emphasizing so much of the symbols of success, but not speaking about the hard work and skills required to be successful they do not gain insight about what makes the entrepreneurial experience better for certain individuals than others.

Here are some thoughts about those who take the road and may be feeling better for having chosen that path:

He or She:

• Enjoys the Challenge of Accomplishment
• Is able to maintain a balance with their personal life
• Has a healthly perspective on people and their role in the business relationships
• Is able to know when to be demanding and when to be compassionate
• Views personal self improvement as a parallel goal of business growth
• Realizes there is a giveback once they have achieved financial security
• Are willing to share credit with the team that supports them
• Knows how to focus on what needs to be done; manages the distractions
• Understands the value of time, both theirs and others
• Manages their risk and does not let obsessions override prudent decisions

When you are introspecting about having taken the riskier road of being an entrepreneur, give some thought to those attributes or approaches outlined above that may give you pause in deciding whether you are enjoying the experiences you are having, especially since you have given up so much for the opportunity to have them. There are some entrepreneurs that are better at it than others----it just depends upon which measures you use.

Jeanne Gray is founder of NJEntrepreneur.com and has been an entrepreneur for most of her career. She now works with owners in helping them to establish their business goals and prioritize their activities to achieve successful business growth. She may be reached at 908-917-9900 or

jgray@njentrepreneur.com