Whether you have thought about it or not, if you market your services to the marketplace for a fee, you’re an entrepreneur. Some of us market our services to our employers and some of us market our services directly to consumers. Regardless of who buys our personal services, we are the owners of our own businesses and we market our services for a fee.

One of the few times when most employees actually view themselves as entrepreneurs is when marketing themselves to prospective employers. They put together an impressive résumé. They go out and market their services. They put on their best behavior during the interview process as they describe their services with confidence. Then once they get the job, they are back to thinking like an employee.

Who’s in charge of your income and career?

• If you feel like your employer is in charge of your career, then you will find yourself continuing to be a victim of circumstances outside of your control. However,

• If you view yourself as someone in control of your career, you will feel like you are also in control of your life.  So goes one’s career; so goes one’s life.

In today’s lesson I want to talk about how an entrepreneur thinks. Then I’ll outline some steps you can take to start that type of thinking. I believe you will quickly see the benefits of adopting the mindset of entrepreneur.

Who are the true entrepreneurs?

• Entrepreneurs view themselves as people who control their destinies. It’s part of their mindset. When you begin to believe you are in control of the No.1 thing you do in your life, you will begin to feel the power of being in control of everything you do.

• Entrepreneurs know what needs to be done and do it. They don’t need anyone telling them what to do next. One of the reasons most people fail in being traditional entrepreneurs is because they have been programmed to take instructions from others.  It began as children by our parents and teachers, then it continued as an employee.

• Entrepreneurs are accountable to themselves for their actions and decisions. They know that their success comes from doing what needs to be done to satisfy their clients/customers. While there may be many things they prefer not doing, they hold themselves accountable and do what needs to be done to meet the needs of their customers.

• Entrepreneurs know their value to the market is based on their personal brand and the quality and type of the services they provide. Therefore, they are always looking at the refinements they can make to be people of greater value and ways they can enhance their personal brand.

• Entrepreneurs are always looking at what they can do to bring more value to their customers. They know in the business world income follows value. They know that before they can expect to increase their profits, they must first increase the value of their services.

• Entrepreneurs nurture their relationships with their customers. They know that in addition to the services they provide, people do business with those they like and trust.

How to develop the entrepreneurial mindset.

1.  Awareness is where all changes begin. Since we are all entrepreneurs, start thinking of yourself as a business owner and your services are what you sell. What can you do to increase the value of these services?

2.  If you are marketing your servicers to an employer, start treating your employer like your most important customer. Build your relationship. Do more than you are expected to do with a grateful attitude. Do the little things that make your employer want to do business with you.

3.  Perform your responsibilities with excellence and never require anyone to remind you of your responsibilities or hold you accountable. Take pride in always doing what is expected of you.

4.  If you work for an employer who does not place the same value on your services as you do, perhaps it’s time to look in the mirror and make an honest assessment of your services. If you feel they are not appreciated, then perhaps it’s time find a different employer (customer).

5.  Always project a positive business image from the way you dress to the way you conduct yourself. Remember, you are an entrepreneur and your brand is what people will buy. What can you do to increase the perceived value of your brand?

When you begin to adopt the mindset of an entrepreneur, you will feel a rush of adrenaline as you begin to see that you really are in control of your income and career. If you are an employee, you will quickly become every employers dream employee.  Are you ready to lead?

If you’re an entrepreneur, please take a minute and share in the comment section below this post other important aspects of an entrepreneur’s mindset.

You have everything to gain by starting to think like an entrepreneur and nothing to lose. Start today!

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 30 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are ranked #27 in America’s top 100 podcasts and #1 in the personal and development field.)

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