The First 5 Steps That Begin Your Entrepreneurial Journey

They're mostly mental but if enacted diligently, you too will discover that Fortune favors the prepared mind.

learn more about Gerard Adams

By Gerard Adams

Shutterstock

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Nobody is born an entrepreneur. Different people take different paths to achieve success, and there is no set-in-stone instruction for becoming one. Entrepreneurs take on a number of different roles and these roles can vary depending on what field you choose to enter.

While there is no perfect guide to entrepreneurship, there are a few steps that should be taken before beginning the endeavor, however. As with most forms of success, one way to achieve your goal is by avoiding mistakes. Following these pieces of advice could prevent you from starting off your life as an entrepreneur on the wrong foot.

1. Have the right mindset.

I often see people who want to be an entrepreneur and can't figure out why their goal isn't working. In the end, they simply aren't thinking like an entrepreneur. The first thing that new entrepreneurs need to know is that failure is likely and success is not given. Understand the risk you are taking, and also understand that you will most likely not succeed immediately.

Related: The 5 Components of the Mindset That Will Let You Live Your Dream Life

2. Be honest with yourself.

The life of an entrepreneur can be great -- you're your own boss, you make the rules, you run the business. However, all of these are easier said than done. Entrepreneurship isn't an easy path. Instead, it is often much more difficult than getting a regular job.

One reason entrepreneurship isn't easy is because, at the end of the day, you can only ever blame yourself. At a corporation you can blame your boss, or perhaps the economy as a whole. As an entrepreneur, you will be looking for a niche in the market that you can fill. Excuses won't cut it in this field. If your business failed, chances are that you researched poorly, you hired the wrong people or you just weren't prepared.

Related: The 7 Golden Rules of Leadership

3. Start thinking.

Just because some college drinking buddies want to open a bar doesn't mean they should. Likewise, just because you've come up with what you think is a good idea doesn't mean it's perfect. There's a lot of research, planning and general deep thought needed to succeed as an entrepreneur. Without proper preparation, your dream business could fail quite quickly.

At the same time, no amount of preparation is going to ensure that your business will succeed. You need to be the one who knows when you're ready. Decisiveness is important to have, but you should have ample preparation before the big decisions need to be made.

4. Find a mentor.

This is one of the most important steps you can take to lay a foundation for success. When you have expert guidance, support, and motivation -- you are 100 times more unstoppable than you are alone. Mentorship allows you to quantum leap straight to the head of the game more rapidly than if you tediously faced down every beginner's hurdle. Avoid pitfalls, mistakes that could cost you your future, and rash decisions by having someone in your corner.

Related: 8 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Find and Get Value From a Great Mentor

I credit having a mentor from the outset as the reason I was able to attain success. It's an invaluable resource for anyone who is serious about getting where they want to go. Get online, get out into the world, connect with the people who inspire you -- especially the one's whose paths you admire -- and develop a working relationship with someone who has done what you want to do. It can change everything.

5. Commit.

Once your business idea is prepared and you're ready to be an entrepreneur, the last thing you need to do is commit. If you truly want to succeed, put in 100 percent effort. Effort will always trump luck and skill, so if you're serious about being an entrepreneur then you should never stop trying.
Gerard Adams

Entrepreneur, angel investor, self-made millionaire at 24

Gerard Adams is The Millennial Mentor™, inspiring the generation to leverage their passions for success and create the lifestyle they dream of. A serial entrepreneur, angel investor, self-made millionaire by the age of 24 and millennial himself, he is most popularly known as the co-founder of Elite Daily. To date, he has built, backed or invested in nine businesses across multiple industries that have all delivered over seven-figure profits. Gerard has recently developed a video series, Leaders Create Leaders, to offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Learn more at GerardAdams.com

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Business News

American Airlines Sued After Teen Dies of Heart Attack Onboard Flight to Miami

Kevin Greenridge was traveling from Honduras to Miami on June 4, 2022, on AA Flight 614 when he went into cardiac arrest and became unconscious mid-flight.

Leadership

How to Detect a Liar in Seconds Using Nonverbal Communication

There are many ways to understand if someone is not honest with you. The following signs do not even require words and are all nonverbal queues.

Career

6 Tips for Building a Business Growth Mindset in Adolescents

Here are a few tips for nurturing entrepreneurial and growth mindsets in adolescents.

Business News

Would You Buy Maggie Murdaugh's Monogrammed Snake Print Pillows? Items From the Murdaugh Family Home Are Going Up for Auction

The sale comes just weeks after Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the June 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son Paul Murdaugh.

Leadership

5 Winning Habits That Will Transform Your Leadership Skills

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Discover the five winning habits that will transform you into an exceptional leader!