Dear Aunty B,
I am a Gen Y working for a marketing company and have itchy feet. I have only ever lasted in a job for two years before I want another one. I think the answer for me lies in starting my own business. But how do I know if I am an entrepreneur?
Jennifer,
Sydney
Dear Jennifer,
Oh, so now entrepreneurship is the Gen-Y answer to boredom. Jennifer, maybe you need a shrink, not a business. Why not try this poll? I found it in a book called Entrepreneur… and Beyond, By Alex McMillan.
Test yourself out on this.
| Employee thinking | Entrepreneur thinking |
| I need a monthly salary | I need to make a profit |
| I need good superannuation | I need a capital gain to retire |
| I want a promotion | If you want to get to the top start there |
| Thank God it’s Friday | God is it Friday already? |
| If I qualify I can get a good job | If I set up my own business I can employ well qualified people |
| What do you want me to do | What needs doing? |
| I need a secure job | I want to be financially free |
| I look forward to retiring at 65 | I never want to retire but I will be able to soon |
| I want high status | I want to control my own destiny |
| I want to stay on the boss’s good side | I want to control my own destiny |
| I like to keep to my strength area | I need creativity and variety |
| I want a better job | I have a dream |
| I want to keep to my area of strength | I need creativity and variety |
And here are a few of my own
| I love getting a pay rise | I love promoting people |
| I have done my best | How do I do better? |
| I leave at 5 | I never really leave work |
| I need a fixed income | I can live with great financial uncertainty |
| I hate my job | I love my life |
Can the Smart Community offer Jennifer any more thoughts? What is the difference between the mindset of an employee and an employer?
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