Get All Access for $5/mo

Mike Rowe: Why Entrepreneurs Crave the 'Reverse Commute' It's all about mindset. Do you think like an entrepreneur?

By Jason Fell

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

What exactly is the "reverse commute"? It has a little something to do with the entrepreneur mindset.

"I've never met an entrepreneur who's struck me as totally sane," says Dirty Jobs star Mike Rowe. "They're not normal."

Rowe knows a thing or two about entrepreneurs, having worked alongside countless business owners on Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs. He's back at the dirty grind, this time starring in CNN's Somebody's Gotta Do It, which airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.

Rowe says successful entrepreneurs crave the reverse commute, meaning they see the path that everyone else is taking and they blaze their own trail instead.

"The well-worn path is a thing that provides sane people -- classically sane people -- with a measure of comfort. The comfort is born of certainty," Rowe says. "The entrepreneur sees the exact same thing and concludes something altogether different. Too many people have gone this way. Whatever's there, I'm not going to find it."

Even if the new path isn't a shortcut, even if it means going against the flow, a true entrepreneur will prefer it as it is his or her own. "There's a hard-headed, recessive gene in most successful entrepreneurs that I adore," he says.

For more on Rowe's thoughts on the entrepreneur mindset, check out the short video above.

Related:

Mike Rowe: Don't Pursue Your Passion. Chase Opportunity.

Mike Rowe on His Facebook Obsession, Working Hard and Singing Opera

Jason Fell

VP, Native Content

Jason Fell is the VP of Native Content, managing the Entrepreneur Partner Studio, which creates dynamic and compelling content for our partners. He previously served as Entrepreneur.com's managing editor and as the technology editor prior to that.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Growing a Business

Why Your Company Needs to Rethink Its Purpose to Acquire Loyal Customers — And Drive More Sales.

The traditional path of finding a niche and competing on quality or price will no longer work. If you want true enduring and evangelical customer loyalty, deliver a product or service that connects with your customers on an emotional level.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.