Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to make it on your own? Do you have the entrepreneurial spirit to be able to pave your own way in life and do what it takes to succeed? Perhaps!

Do you find yourself always starting new projects, looking at ways to solve problems in a creative way, constantly designing gadgets, looking towards change, innovation and are generally optimistic about the future? Then perhaps you have some of the base characteristics needed to be successful in this game.

The entrepreneurial spirit is filled with passion, positivity, leadership and ambition, and if cultivated, is so powerful that it can see dreams turn into realities, make fortunes and have long lasting impacts on society in general. Here’s 5 unique ways to ignite that entrepreneur spirit within you:

See where the opportunities lie

An entrepreneur cannot help but notice things; gaps, areas that need improvement, shortfalls and shortages, missing links or information gaps, and generally trends that can be created, amended, turned around or eliminated.

What opportunities do you notice on a daily basis? How closely do you pay attention to what’s going on around you? Have you noticed patterns or signs out in the marketplace that opens an opportunity for you to contribute and make a difference?

A wise mentor once said – “if you can find a way to help the many, you can have everything you want.”

Embrace your passion and get started

Once you have an idea firmly cemented in your head, then get passionate about making it happen. Why is it important that you succeed in this venture? Only you know the true answer to this. Find a reason to beat the odds.

A great example is Richard Branson, who despite being a high school dropout, is one of the most passionate and respected businessmen in the world. He has created an empire with Virgin, which is now responsible for over 400 businesses.

Build on your education and skills

They say that your formal education will make you a living, yet your self-education will make you a fortune. One great way to spark up the entrepreneurial spirit and ensure you are always on your game, is to be continuously learning, developing, improving and growing.

As another mentor of mine, Dale Beaumont once shared “if you are not green and growing, you are ripe and rotting”. Never stop your quest for knowledge and improvement.

Aim high and set your goals

There’s nothing quite like setting a goal and actually achieving it. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Oprah all aimed high and achieved some pretty outrageous goals.

Their legacies have touched and positively impacted scores or people. Don’t settle for less, you are only limited by your imagination. If you aim for the stars, worst-case scenario is you land on the moon. So how high are you aiming?

Share your vision

Every big business started out as a small business, and every successful entrepreneur has started right at the bottom. Their vision was so compelling and magnetic, that it attracted others to willingly join in and help make it happen.

A great example is Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, a company that has helped more than half a million women fulfill their dreams of owning a business. Google and Facebook are other examples of big companies that started out in dorm rooms and garages out of pure passion. Once their vision was shared, our world has never been the same again!

Gavin Sequeira is proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel! Having completed an MBA and a successful corporate career at IBM and Oracle, he successfully made the transition to running several of his own businesses, helping many others to do the same. Gavin is an active speaker, coach and author of ‘Break Free From Corporate – Be Your Own Boss.

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