Entrepreneurs begin with what they know and what they see around them. However, as they look outward to identify challenges and opportunities where they can create value for others, they also must look inward.
Successful entrepreneurs aren’t only successful because they’ve had a good idea. At VentureLab, we believe a successful entrepreneur is one that has the confidence to take risks, be resilient in the face of failure, learn and grow from their experiences, and persevere until they make their vision a reality.
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
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These qualities are internal. The heart of a startup is only as strong as the heart of the entrepreneur. Therefore it is crucial that an entrepreneur understand and assess their strengths and limitations. They must know their passions and be able to communicate them.
This self-awareness allows the entrepreneur to preserve through the challenges and struggles during the process of making their idea a reality.
CASEL defines self-awareness as “The ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior. The ability to accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a “growth mindset.”
Entrepreneurs use significant time and attention to reflect on the ideas and issues that matter to them.
Questions for reflection
Here a few questions to help you reflect on your passions, strengths, and interests:
- What matters most to you? What are your priorities? Ex. Is it spending time with family or maybe caring for animals?
- What is your true calling? What do you wake up wishing could do? Ex. Is it playing video games or taking photographs of puppies?
- What are your wildest hopes and dreams? Ex. What if you could breathe underwater? What if you could go back in time?
- What can people count on you for? What are your strengths? Ex. Is it making webpages? Maybe it’s making people smile?
- What do you need to work on? What are your weaknesses? Ex. Maybe it’s making a budget and sticking to it. Or organizing your room?
- Imagine yourself 50 years from now, talking to someone your own age. What three pieces of advice would you give them about life?
More reflection activities
Check out more activities to help you discover your entrepreneurial self in our workbook!
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