Firstly, since I am a Christian and want to learn from the Bible a lot, I kick off with a Bible verse – Romans 12:2 NIV – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
That bible verse is about doing what’s good, pleasing and perfect will of the God, and it’s basically talk about how you should live your life. However, the verse can also very much help you in finding your entrepreneurial success.
You see, in order to be a successful entrepreneur, you often need to do things differently.
Do things differently: Some examples
Instead of financial security in a deferred-life plan, you opt for creative ways to reach financial freedom and location independent living.
You choose to “suffer” instead of working in what Tim Ferriss refers as “deferred-life plan” – working 12-16 hours a workday for 30 years for the so-called financial security. You choose to work long hours to get your business off the ground.
Instead of working for a boss for 30 years with a fear of getting downsized, you start your own business, be your own boss, set your own office hours, and be free and fulfilled – despite you might work harder than most employees in your life.
You increase your per-hour rate by working less hours for money, and more hours in pursuing your passion
Following Pareto principle or 80-20 rule, you focus on increased productivity by working less on your money-making endeavours and actually make more money in the process; with your created free time, you pursue your dream.
Setting up a charity, work in a ministry, go back to the university, mentors young entrepreneurs, etc. – whatever God has placed in your heart, you will have the means to follow it.
You refuse to conform the norms of the world
“Your title is important;” “your position in society is important;” “you need to buy a Ferrari to show your colleagues you live well”… those are things that no longer bother you.
You want to be one of the “hidden champions” of today’s business world – a guy/gal next door who seems to live an ordinary life but financially free and/or run a multi-million dollar business from home; you are mentoring troubled teens to live right, while making millions online in your spare time.
You might want to be a “good Samaritan” of the business world – you set up a business that invest in a troubled business and help it to improve, instead of buy it and break it into parts and sell them off; and many more examples.
There are unlimited possibilities of how you can be a different entrepreneur and be successful by doing things differently.
You are not alone!
Do you think you are a “weird” entrepreneur? Think again. There are actually entrepreneurs who have the same principles as you do. I am one of them. Garret Lo Porto says you are a wayseer; Tim Ferriss says you are not living a deferred-life plan.
No matter how you call what you do, you shouldn’t stop – be creative and do understand that there are 1,001 ways to do a thing – explore them and be different. You might find entrepreneurial success will come to you unexpectedly.
Be different and be proud of what you are!
Ivan Widjaya
I am different and I’m happy with my differences