Examine Yourself

Do you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur?

Success does not come easily for the vast majority of people – they have to work diligently and with an extraordinary amount of determination to achieve a decent standard of living.

“Success comes to those who think about success and strive for it” –Bishop David Oyedepo (Living Faith Ministry).

Starting your own business is not an automatic wheel to riches or success. If you live your life hoping to become successful without pressing for it or you are just emulating the high flyers, you are likely to have a frustrating time.

Positive Personal Qualities

To become successful, you need to imbibe certain qualities which successful people have that unsuccessful do not. The under listed qualities help you to understand whether you have what it takes to start a small business.


Ambition – Positive thinking – Drive – Perseverance – Enthusiasm – Initiative – Determination – Questioning Mind – Commitment - Good Judgement – Self Confidence – Optimism – Faith in abilities – Intuition – Technical Knowledge – Decision Maker – Good Health – Family Support – High Standards – Adaptability – Self Disciplined – Able to Communicate – Risk Taker – Ability to solve problem – Getting on well with people – Flexibility – Hardworking – Ability to simply get up and start over again?

If you have the above qualities, you are most likely to have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

Do not worry if you fall short. If you are willing, you can turn your weakness to strength. It is a good idea to get relatives or friends to give you an assessment on the above listed qualities.

Negative Personal Qualities

Unsuccessful people do have their personal characteristics but unfortunately, it is a kiss of failure. As listed below:

Laziness – Lack of ambition – Lack of drive – Limited confidence – Unable to take effective decisions – Poor health – Procrastination – Poor communication – Simplicity/too easy going – Ineffectiveness – Unable to adapt – Anxiety – Low standards – Easily give up – Unable to cope with emergency – Never finish what you start – Pessimistic.

Analysis of Yourself

SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat) analysis of yourself is needed to increase awareness of yourself. Be honest with yourself by writing down your strengths and address your weaknesses, for instance, if you have a poor health or hate selling.

Write down the opportunity and threats you perceive. Your opportunity might be that your children are on scholarship and therefore have more money to spare while your threats might be that you have a huge financial commitment you have just embarked upon and just cannot afford to take risks. Your personal SWOT Analysis will increase your self –awareness and give you direction of levelling up from your weakness to strength and to cover up for your threats.

The under listed books are selection of books that I believe will be invaluable to people with new and existing business looking to move forward or those who are yet to start business of their own.