Is there such a thing as a Left wing entrepreneur?

16. February 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Viewpoint · Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

By Steven Jackson

http://www.northern-wave.com/

steven@northern-wave.com

A few months ago I started to ask myself a few questions about myself and my belief system in respect that I saw myself for many years as a Lefty. Politically, I felt that I have drifted slightly to the right in the sense that I began to recognise the societal benefits of personal & social responsibility, self-empowerment and the therapeutic and personal benefits of working for oneself. This has been further clarified by my experiences of moving to live in Finland and how after many years of trying I achieved all my personal goals.

 

However, I still see myself as being on the cusp of the left, when considering the practical aspects of everyday living such as free national health and social care, free education for all, and maybe state control of public transport and services.  The real question is can these flagships of conflicting political ideologies co-exist in the same mind, body or soul? The answer is of course, “Yes”, because regardless of my left wing utopian beliefs, we still need to be pragmatic and realistic in our daily lives and put the food on the table.

 

In reflexion, I’m not sure if realism in the sense of earning money to pay the bills in the modern world is a political argument even though the conclusion is a political fact that making money entrepreneurially is a right winged pursuit. I feel that the alternative argument could be the “A” political solution to life, which promotes own lives as personal goals and achievements.  The goals we all need to consider is, as individual should try to be the best we can be in the time we have on this earth, so this may not mean running a business, but it will mean doing something you are passionate about and in doing so making your life complete. Success is all about that undying passion that says “I will succeed” and furthermore I will achieve my goals regardless.

 

So, what is so wrong with the idea of a left wing entrepreneur? Well, it could be argued that we are looking at the “them and use syndrome” or as Marx would have seen it as the “Proletariat and the Bourgeoisie” in conflict. Fortunately, most of society; at least in the western country; believes that regardless of our political leanings we have the rights as individuals to makes some extra money or pursue entrepreneurial career even on a part-time bases.  Arguably, the steady raise of direct-sales and online business shows that the average Joe or housewife can start their own small business from their home at very small cost, if its Tupperware, Avon or one of the many health & wellness companies, it doesn’t matter. People are being to see that it is possible to make a little extra cash or a lot depending on the amount of work they are willing to do.

 

In conclusion; is there such a thing as a Left wing entrepreneur? Yes, it’s me! If you are interested in changing your financial and personal circumstances, by starting a new business let me take this opportunity to show you how you can run a business from your home.

 

 

 

Go Green and Build yourself a Wooden windmill

How do you spot an entrepreneur?

09. February 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: MLM business · Tags: , , ,

It’s easy to believe that everybody in business is entrepreneurial when in fact a great number of people are simply self-employed. For one reason or another, they are no longer employed by somebody else, so they employ themselves. They are earning a living.

However there is a big difference between somebody that demonstrates a mindset of being entrepreneurial and someone with an employee mentality. The entrepreneur takes risks and apply themselves, even when they are fearful. They are tenacious and if something doesn’t work they will find a way. They are good networkers.

The entrepreneur prefers to play it safe, whatever that means nowadays and simply refuse to step out or ever stretch their comfort zone.

They both share the present economic challenges but one doesn’t let it affect his/her judgement. They don’t complain or promote negative thoughts or speech.

They don’t buy into the negativity contained in the news and newspapers or indeed for what they can’t do. Instead they takes responsibility and gets on with what they can do.

The employee almost always sees why something can’t be done. They buy into the negative thoughts of others and seek solace from their peers by sharing their negative thoughts. Somehow they think they will feel better if they can get other people to agree that the economy is tough and life is hard.

Eventually, they surround themselves with people who think and talk negatively – just like them. And this becomes their reality.

The employee mentality waits for things to happen whereas the entrepreneur makes things happen. The employee needs to be told what to do (and may even do it, after a short argument about why it needs to be done) whereas the entrepreneur gets on with it.

The employee recognises that they want a different outcome from the one that they have but they’re not prepared to do anything different to get it. The entrepreneur recognises that if they carry on doing what we’ve been doing, they will carry on getting what we getting so they stretch their comfort zone and do whatever it takes.

They take personal responsibility for bringing change, however painful, into their lives.

The challenge and the question is how much time does one spend trying to change an inbred mentality? Perhaps it’s easier to decide what a real entrepreneur looks like and seek them out instead.

There really isn’t anything wrong with having an employee mentality if somebody’s been employed all their life is a big change to make. Some people are meant to live their lives as employees. What is wrong is that we don’t recognise the challenges they face in moving from one mindset to another.

For these differences it is always going to be easier to work with people who were previously run a business or are able, at interview, to convince you that they have been able to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in some aspect of their life. They are enthusiastic, motivated and positive.

For my part, I believe everybody has what it takes but that most people are not willing to change.