Speaking from personal experience, quitting my job to start my own company was one of the most unanticipated decisions I have ever made – and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Being an entrepreneur has led to the thrilling adventure which now defines my life.

Starting multiple companies over the years has brought an immense amount of passion, inspiration and love to my life. The entrepreneurial experience has taken me to places I would have never gone without having chosen such a path.  Everyday brings a new and continual flow of challenges that seem to be mini triumphs – high points of a life journey and human freedom.

As you’re about to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, you may be wondering:

• How does my life change after I open my first business?
• Does my personality change?
• Is it the beginning of fearless days, or a terrifying, endless nightmare?

As a first time entrepreneur, if you’re still unsure, hang on for one heck of a thrilling ride because if you’re not scared in some way, shape or form– then something isn’t right. It’s OK, and truthfully, very normal to be scared. A plethora of ambiguity and a high tolerance for risk are not part of the normal human psyche hard-wiring.

Another aspect of entrepreneurship to be aware of is creation. Whether a company product, website, technology or even just a business process – founding a new widget for the world truly does give birth to something new in you.

The journey of entrepreneurial creativity forces your mind to adapt to far broader ways of thinking by developing your problem-solving skills to their full capacity and raising your optimism – positive thinking plays a huge role in success. (ever heard of the self-fulfilling prophecy?)

Entrepreneurship is a combination of high ambition and the constant desire to create value. They determine whether you:

• Make money or end up totally broke
• Feel free or swamped when faced with an endless workload
• Take responsibility for others and maintain high self-confidence

Over the years, I have been fortunate to have met with thousands of entrepreneurs. This has been extremely valuable in terms of pattern recognition – understanding those qualities which successful entrepreneurs encompass and exude.

In an initial meeting with a first time entrepreneur, based on my experiences, I seek to understand whether they encompass two very important qualities which are definitive keys to achieving start-up success:

1) Finding balance

Becoming emotionally reassured, regardless of circumstances, is imperative. This enables an entrepreneur to be unaffected by the forces that surround them.

The people who surround you will change. All of a sudden, you’ll look around and see only motivated, strong personalities that you are able to learn from, who inspire you toward new endeavors, and who (many times) will later become your co-founders in a new venture.

2) Learning, understanding and embracing a holistic personal framework

Most people think they have learned all they need to know about themselves. The usual comment is, “I know what makes me tick.” Guess what? You don’t.

As an example, do you know what the inner critic is? Odds are the answer is no. Read up on the subject before starting your entrepreneurial journey. Every successful entrepreneur understands and embraces the inner critic on their journey toward achieving start-up success.

From what makes an entrepreneur happy to the things that make them sad – when an entrepreneur understands every aspect of their personality and the capabilities they’ve been blessed with, it is an immensely powerful tool, especially in understanding how they can achieve happiness. Furthermore, it is absolutely essential for true leadership.

As you begin your journey, keep in mind one thing:

Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is the byproduct and result of fear.

Fear cripples the imagination, especially the mind of an entrepreneur – so if you’re still hesitating, think again.

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Stop At Nothing. Achieve Everything.

Gary Whitehill is the Founder of The Relentless Foundation and New York Entrepreneur Week (NYEW), both of which reflect his entrepreneurial drive and relentless energy.

In 2009, The Relentless Foundation inspired the creation of New York Entrepreneur Week (NYEW), an unprecedented gathering of entrepreneurs, from innovation-minded start-ups to multi-million dollar revenue generators who are given the chance to learn, connect and leverage opportunities to help drive economic change.

The Entrepreneur Week movement continues to grow, with events planned in more US cities and around the world.

Additionally, Gary believes kids should have the ability to create the world they want, and that those who are driven to achieve must also be given tools such as entrepreneurship to learn, grow and express themselves.

Gary supports people and companies invested in driving social and economic change.

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