BOOK SUMMARY 214 Ageless Entrepreneur
·
Summary written by: Justin Gasbarre
"The most important skill we can learn today is the
ability to create and manage our own career. It is never too early to start or
too late to achieve."
- Ageless Entrepreneur, page 17
We’re
facing an interesting, challenging time in today’s workforce dynamics. More and
more young people are having trouble getting jobs in their area of study and
seniors are being forced out of the work force at a time when they are unable
to afford to be pushed out. Author Fred Dawkins addresses this epidemic in his
newest book, Ageless Entrepreneur.
The
book is written in a narrative format through the lens of a senior entrepreneur
named Sam Macleod and his childhood friend, Nick. Sam is a public speaker,
author and entrepreneur and the book takes us on his journey as he facilitates
a week long training workshop with a mixed group of seniors and young people.
His goal is to tackle the current workforce challenges head on to help identify
ways this group can collaboratively revitalize their careers and futures.
As the
story unfolds the author shares with us insights on the characteristics of
successful entrepreneurs, common challenges faced by young and old people alike
in the workforce, advice on how to manage career change, and how to change your
mindset to think like an entrepreneur.
The Golden Egg
Finding a Different Angle
"Entrepreneurs
often succeed by finding a different angle to do something for which there’s a
proven demand."- Ageless Entrepreneur, page 53
Early
on in the story, Sam comes back to his hometown to do a keynote on
entrepreneurship. During this presentation one of his key messages centers on
the mindset of an entrepreneur. Sam states that often entrepreneurs succeed
because they are able to bring something to the market that’s better than what
is already there. This is a powerful paradigm shift and message. When it comes
to who is considered an entrepreneur, most think about the person that creates
the next great industry or company that no one has thought of yet, such as
Apple, Uber, Facebook. While the founders of those companies are absolutely
entrepreneurs, that’s not the only classification of one. Sam says: “that’s one
of the entrepreneurial myths that you have to invent something new. Finding a
better way to tap a proven market reduces the risk.”
Looking
at entrepreneurship through this lens allows us to consider less overwhelming opportunities
to start a business or as Steve Jobs famously said, “make a dent in the
universe”.
Gem #1
Finding Inspiration
"Fear
of failure is one of the strongest possible motivations"- Ageless
Entrepreneur, page 115
The
lessons learned throughout Sam’s workshop dive into finding the inspiration and
opportunity to make the leap to becoming an entrepreneur. Becoming an
entrepreneur, just like anything else, involves taking on some level of risk.
Sam challenges the class to start embracing their doubts along their
entrepreneurial journey. He says: “What you’re feeling are simply internal
warnings that trigger closer examination. Fears offer the same warnings.
Together they are the tools of defining and taking managed risk as opposed to
reckless risk.” In any career or industry, circumstances and markets change so
much that it’s almost impossible to keep up.
In
order to navigate that change, entrepreneurs discipline themselves to face
those fears and challenges head on. Often it’s those truths that motivate them
to find success. Next time, you get that funny feeling in your stomach when it
comes to making a big business decision step back, examine it, face it, and
work through it!
Gem #2
The Mentoring Mind
"A
mentor is an advisor and teacher. Someone, who inspires, motivates, educates,
and encourages"- Ageless Entrepreneur, page 168
Towards
the end of the workshop, Sam starts to dive into the role and importance of
mentors and coaches in the life of a business owner and entrepreneur. What was
interesting was how he made the delineation between a mentor and coach. Sam
says: “Coaches hold hands and ask a lot of questions. Coaches help find a
solution within your own knowledge and skill set. They will never know as much
as you do about your business but they know how to lead you to a solution.” He
then goes on to say: “Mentors build knowledge. They prepare you for the path
ahead by adding to what you know based on what they’ve experienced.”
Understanding
this difference is critical, in my opinion, when looking for guidance in your
business. Mentors, by this definition, are those that have been to where you’re
trying to go and can help you get there based on their experience. A coach, by
this definition, can help to provide some context and insight based on an outside
perspective. Both are important and have their place in helping you grow as a
leader and business owner. The important thing is to be aware of which is
needed for you in any given situation and not relying on just one throughout
the life of your business.
This
is a constant in life, but by surrounding yourself with good people who help
make you better will accelerate your individual and business growth. The same
goes for an entrepreneur!
“Not
all of us can be entrepreneurs. Every one of us can think like one.”
Sam
says something important in wrapping up his workshop. “Not all of us can be
entrepreneurs. Every one of us can think like one.” I think it’s the perfect
way to end this narrative. Let’s face it, not all of us are cut to be business
owners, leaders, inventors, creators, or entrepreneurs. The good news is that
we don’t have to be. There is a great deal of value, however, in thinking and
looking at the world like an entrepreneur does. Being someone who can see and
recognize opportunity for growth, improvement, and service not only makes our
individual value greater but also contributes something more to our society as
a whole. Like Fred Dawkins says, it’s never too early or too late to make
contributions to the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment