Snap Out of the Employee Mentality
One of the fundamental differences between working for someone and working for yourself is this: When you make mistakes working for someone else, you get yelled at and/or fired. When you make mistakes working for yourself, that’s ok, because it’s a learning process and you come back stronger.
Working for someone else and then all of a sudden working for yourself can be quite the transition for many entrepreneurs. Some entrepreneurs can’t shake out of the employee mentality and conduct their business scared to make mistakes, expecting someone to tell them what to do, and depending on people such as co-workers who used to be in your corner in the office.
For those of you young entrepreneurs running your own business and still thinking that you’re an employee, you need to wakeup! Your boss is gone. Your coworkers are gone. Your former clients are gone. Your life is new.
Many of you have recently quit your jobs, graduated from college where you worked an internship, or are currently running a business while working a regular job. All of you have made the decision that you want to become a successful entrepreneur, congrats.
It’s imperative that you are able to recognize that you are no longer working for an employer, you are working for yourself — you are the boss now.
Here are some common “employee mentalities” and some ways to break out of them:
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Indecisiveness:
Some of us are so used to people making important decisions for us, that when we start our own companies we find it hard to make fast decisions. As an entrepreneur you have to be decisive. Learn to make fast decisions. Don’t be scared to make the wrong decision. A wrong decision is better than no decision. Stay sharp and be on top of what’s going on with all your projects at all time, this will give you the necessary intelligence to make fast, clear, and logical decisions.
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Uncertainty:
You’re on your own now. It’s scary running your own business, I know. There are going to be times when you’re absolutely lost. Being scared and confused will cost you your job when an employee, but as an entrepreneur you must embrace uncertainty. Embrace the unknown. Sure, you won’t always have your bases covered, but that’s ok. Entrepreneurship is about experimentation, learning as you go, and getting up when you fall.
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Schedule:
No more 1000 unnecessary meetings to attend. You know, the meetings that your boss made (re:forced) you attend that amounted to absolutely nada, when you could be doing real work (re:playing games and reading the news). Now that you are on your own, it’s time to set your own schedule and make the most of your workday. Some of you may be used to wasting most of the day playing online games or reading blogs while being an employee (the best part of the day ;)), but now that you’re on your own….no more time wasting! No more 2 hour lunch breaks. No more 30 minute chats with your coworkers about your weekend happenings. No more fake sick days (heh… those rocked!). It’s time to step it up a notch and start making things happen now that you’re the boss. There’s no time to waste.
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Centralization:
Most employees come from a centralized organization where all commands come from the one mighty master, your boss. Forget about that. It’s time to decentralize things now that you’re in charge. Don’t make the same mistakes that your employers made. As a founder of a company, it would be a mistake to make “all” the decisions and having “all” orders come from you. Create small groups within your organization and put smart people in charge of them. Decentralization is about “sharing” the control, not monopolizing it. Your organization should not be a dictatorship, it should be a community where your employees are treated like partners. Everyone should have power, not just you.
As a young entrepreneur you can’t afford to be stuck in the employee mentality. If you’ve made the decision to run your own company, then realize that you are the boss and the you’re on a different playing field now. Take charge. Take command. Step up to the plate. You’re the man now and never forget that.
Can you think of anymore “employee mentalities” and ways to breakout of them when becoming your own boss?
3 Comments
William
January 17th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Really good article David, I think many times when “we”-young entrepreneurs step out from the corporate or employee atmosphere where we’re constantly being led, and step into a realm of complete self-control and self-reliance, it’s almost like going through culture shock; it’s a whole new ballgame!
You’re completely accurate when you explain the importance of losing that “employee-mentality” or “follower-mentality” as I like to call it, and renew your mind so that you develop a LEADING mentality and begin making things happen on your own, without having to run it by your boss! Great job.
Aaron K
January 18th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I agree. I am finally stepping out to pursue my ventures full time and it’s intimidating. I don’t have any problems needing someone to tell me what to do but I do have some fears of not having some guaranteed income.
It’s scary but it’s gotta be done. I can’t live like a zombie anymore.
If anyone has ideas on quiting your job and working full time on your ventures chime in.
David Askaripour
January 18th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Hey William, Well said. We need to renew and refresh our minds; for many, the transition won’t be easy, but it’s necessary! Thanks bro.
Hey Aaron, I know exactly what you mean about the fears of income. It’s a very scary thing for me as well. As you said, though, it has to be done! And done now, not later. Thanks.
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