What Makes an Entrepreneur?

The fastest growing area of the economy, risk takers and wealth generators, these strange people - what makes them tick? Why do entrepreneurs take risks, endure pain, fatigue, and embarrassment? What makes them run? Is it money, fame, rock and roll, or sex? None of the above!

Entrepreneurs might want and enjoy those things but what drives them and what distinguishes them from an over- achieving employee or salesperson is the desire to create. That's it. Do you pass the test? Many over-achievers are not entrepreneurs.

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George Torok
www.BusinessinMotion.ca

Olympians are unbalanced

If you are leading a “balanced” life you are destined to be a loser. Why? Because those who succeed in any field are unbalanced.

Consider the Olympic athletes. To qualify for their national team they need to put in a huge amount of weekly and daily training for years. There is nothing balanced about the effort and time they invest. There is nothing balanced about the sweat and pain they endure.

I have run two marathons – 42 k, 26miles. I have run a few half marathons and several 30 k races. There is nothing balanced about subjecting yourself to the mental and physical pain of running a marathon. And the training is totally unbalanced. To go for a Sunday three-hour run is crazy – but that is what was needed.

Pick any sport. The leader in that sport is or was unbalanced to achieve their goal.

Pick any business leader. They followed a regimen of unbalanced behavior to accomplish what they did. Most told me that they work 60 to 80 hours per week. They do it because they love it and they want to win. Is that balanced?

How does that compare to those who think that 40 hours a week is balanced?

Our heroes are not balanced. Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, George Washington, Jesus Christ and Mohammad were not balanced people.

All successful people were obsessive about their dream. So much that they ignored other aspects about their life.

So if you are worried about being unbalanced – congratulations – you might have a chance at greatness. If you feel balanced – you are destined to obscurity.


George Torok – slightly unbalanced
http://www.businessinmotion.ca/


PS: Don’t strive for balance. Strive to be outstanding.

PPS: Harmony is more important than balance.

Interview with the Justice League Super Heroes

I have interviewed over 400 business leaders. Imagine if I interviewed the Justice League to ask them about their advice to entrepreneurs.

Mock Interview at Justice League Headquarters – on the moon


Superman

“There is only one Superman. That’s me. So don’t try to be me – you are not super. You are not from planet Krypton. Be realistic. Recognize your strengths and especially your weaknesses. Play to your strengths. Delegate your weaknesses.”


Batman
“I have no super powers so I have to work harder than the rest. I keep them off balance with my stealth. I think harder and train harder than my competition. They are afraid of me because they think it comes easy. They have no idea and I don’t let them know how insecure I really feel. Acknowledge your fears – you don’t need to let others know. Work harder than the rest.”

“PS: Bats used to scare me.”


Flash

“Move faster than the rest.”


Wonder Woman

“The rest of the team expects me to pull my own weight so I do. I am strong but not as strong as Superman. I am not invulnerable like him – I have a pair of bracelets to protect myself. And the magic lasso. That’s it. But it is enough to give me an edge and I use that edge. Find your edge and flaunt it.”


Aquaman
“I hate these interviews. I hate being away from my underwater kingdom. I am not a team player. I am a king. I really am a fish out of water. But this is where I can do the most good. So I make the trip. I make the sacrifice because I believe in the big picture goal. I look forward to getting back home. If you can’t fly – swim.”


Martian Manhunter

“My friend Kermit the frog said, “It isn’t easy being green.” Well I am green. Even though I have been here on planet earth for many years – people still don’t fully accept me. I spend a lot of time studying people and how they think. I find that even though I have all the powers of Superman and then some – I still don’t get the same respect as he. I accept that. He is my friend and I respect him. My advice? Sometimes no matter what you do you still don’t fit in. Your job is not to fit in. It is to do the right thing. Be who you are and be proud of it. And hang around the people that make you look good.”


George Torok
http://www.businessinmotion.ca/

What sets Entrepreneurs apart?

I have interviewed a few hundred entrepreneurs and met a few hundred others.

They are not all the same. They have different characters and personalities.

There are some characteristics that the successful entrepreneurs share.

They see something that others do not.

They believe in something that no one else does.

They are not afraid to make some mistakes.

They don’t see a mistake as a failure.

They don’t see a failure as the end.

They often do things for what appears totally irrational to ‘logical minds’.

Are you an entrepreneur?

George Torok
Host “Business in Motion”

How do Entrepreneurs make Critical Decisions?

Entrepreneurs are not necessarily logical creatures. At least they might not appear that way to others. To them it all makes perfect sense.

So how do entrepreneurs make critical decisions?

Often it is based on their instinct or Gutfeeling. Peter Urs Bender talks about this in his book ‘Gutfeeling’.

Sometimes it is a tightening in the stomach that says no. Or maybe it is a certain internal voice that whispers “yes”. An unexplained image that shouts charge ahead. A shiver that warns, “Don’t trust this person”. A dream that opens a new door.

We are not logical beings although we pretend to be. Entrepreneurs seem to be more willing to tap into the non-logic side more than others.

I remember the moment I created my radio show. I was sitting in a radio studio waiting to be interviewed. I had a few minutes so I looked around the studio. At that moment the little voice in my head said, “I could do this. I could host my own radio show.”

I had no experience, contacts or plan. I just knew that I would make it happen.

My radio show has been successfully running for nine years – all because of that little voice. Listen to your Gutfeeling.

George TorokRadio show host
Business in Motion