Thinking of “entrepreneur” what words come to your mind – leader, risk-taker, innovator any many more. That’s fairly right. But as an aspiring entrepreneur could you even add the word “me” to that list?
As it is said entrepreneurial journey is very tough and unexpected roadblocks are inevitable. I believe the success entrepreneurs get is by being WHAT THEY ARE! Reading various books based on entrepreneurship or going through entrepreneurs blog is good as it gives you the knowledge that you might need. But practically solving problems or making tougher decisions for your venture is where the factor “YOU” comes in. Being yourself is the best thing you can do in professional life as well as personal.
Since it’s your life and journey, why would you be anything but yourself? Answer is due to external influence and pressure. Friends, family, society, mentors, success, money. All these factors not only influence your decisions but also take you away from your authentic self. Shrug off the pressure to alter your individuality, here are the reasons to remain who you are.
You don’t have to let yourself be terrorized by other people’s expectation of you. — Sue Patton Thoele
It makes you courageous.
Courage doesn’t mean that you aren’t afraid, or that you don’t have doubts, but rather that you have concerns and fears but you push forward anyway. It helps you move forward to your own way. It makes you do your own things and believing in yourself is the best thing you can gift yourself.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
It grows your confidence.
As you bring out your own ways and unique approach, your personality to come out in display more and more you will find one thing : your confidence will grow significantly. Being yourself boosts up your confidence in meetings with clients, pitching to an investor or telling your team about a pivot. Facing problems and having courage to overcome them builds resilience and self- reliance. The more you allow yourself to be you, the greater your belief in yourself will become.
Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy. — Dean Koontz
It builds your compassion.
If you want to be you, then let others be themselves too. It’s foolish to criticize and judge others who do not match your style or way of life. How are you pressuring others to alter themselves to fit your needs and wants? Everyone is unique. Being yourself builds up your compassion so you learn and appreciate this uniqueness.
For all the entrepreneurs out there- Just be yourself, believe in yourself and do not forget that perseverance is a great essence of success. For perseverance it is important that you do not let anything alter your individuality.
-Vatsal Doshi
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