Tole's Take

Sure Sign You Are An Entrepreneur #3: Do Something Hard & Lonely

"Do something hard and lonely to prepare yourself for the rigors ahead." 

This nugget of wisdom is buried in an otherwise forgettable book of simple business advice entitled How To Become CEO.  But this concept has stuck with me for years, and it is a simple way to gauge your interest in becoming an entrepreneur.  Do you gravitate towards group sports/activities or solo ones?  It says a lot about whether you'll enjoy the road ahead.

Sure Sign You Are Not An Entrepreneur #2

"I just got into Harvard Business School; I'm debating whether I should go or whether I should start my own company.  What do you think?"

This isn't a debate, this isn't even in the same hemisphere as a debate.  What this is, however, is the second installment of Sure Signs That You Are Not An Entrepreneur.  The first one dealt with whining over a low stock price; this one deals with the angst of having a perceived tough choice to make.

Sure Sign You Are Not An Entrepreneur #1

"I need the stock to go up 30%, and then I need a guaranteed home run startup, preferably in the city (SF)"

A friend who shall remain nameless told me this a while back when we were having drinks with friends.  In spite of the fact that he was an early employee of a large, very successful public Internet company, he was bemoaning the fact that he hadn't sold his options in said company when the price was significantly higher.

If this thought has ever crossed your mind, this is a sure sign you are not an entrepreneur.