By Ed McLaughlin and Wyn Lydecker

Are you hesitating to leap into entrepreneurship? Is it because you have the persistent feeling that you are “not the entrepreneurial type”? I’ve written previously about how entrepreneurship isn’t for the elite and elect, but rather is accessible to everyone. Many people, even if they accept this idea intellectually, have trouble recognizing their own potential as entrepreneurs. Knowing that you have this potential may open the door to entrepreneurship for you. Let me illustrate with a few examples:

There are phrases in business that entrepreneurs hear differently from non-entrepreneurs. If you hear any of these three expressions like other entrepreneurs, maybe it’s time for you to become one!

“This project involves extra responsibility.”

An entrepreneur hears, “This is an opportunity to be master of my fate.” A non-entrepreneur hears, “more work.” One of the classic characteristics of entrepreneurs is their positive outlook on the future of projects and engagements that they control themselves. That belief fuels the perseverance for which entrepreneurs are so well known. If extra responsibility excites, rather than drains you, you may be an entrepreneur at heart!

“This assignment has a tight deadline.”

An entrepreneur hears, “Here’s a challenge to harness my and my team’s abilities to perform as efficiently as possible.” A non-entrepreneur hears, “Time to panic!” The startup world is full of time crunches. They are tough, no one is going to deny that, but there is an exhilaration that comes from pulling out all the stops and accomplishing a goal within constraints. The difference between an entrepreneur and a non-entrepreneur is one of attitude. Tight deadlines don’t have to make you jump for joy, but if you find them challenging and exciting, rather than terrifying, entrepreneurship may be for you.

“You’ll need to exercise your creativity.”

An entrepreneur hears, “a chance to think about how I’d do things differently!” A non-entrepreneur hears, “give up hope, all ye who enter here.” The request for creativity is paralyzing for a lot of people – it’s not a tap to be turned on at will. Most entrepreneurs, on the other hand, have more trouble holding back the stream of ideas than they do coming up with them.

Entrepreneurship requires you to take on responsibility, adapt to quick changes, and harness your ideas to meet customer needs. If you perk up at these words and phrases, you have the entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing that you have the potential to take charge of the mission for your life by starting your own business is the first step on what can be a wonderful, exciting, and fulfilling journey to success as you define it.

What are some other conventional business situations that bring out the entrepreneurial spirit in you or people you know? Let us know in the comments!

Ed McLaughlin is currently co-writing the book “The Purpose Is Profit: Secrets of a Successful Entrepreneur from Startup to Exit” with Wyn Lydecker and Paul McLaughlin.

Copyright © 2014 by Ed McLaughlin All rights reserved.