11 Habits of Remarkable Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are known to perceive opportunities and are most importantly well-positioned to take advantage of them. Most of them share the same traits, have something in common and have the passion to fulfill their dreams despite the odds and challenges they face. The highly successful entrepreneurs have these 11 habits in common.

1. Remarkable entrepreneurs create SMART goals

The only way to get to what you set out to do is to stick with SMART ( specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound) goals. What is the one specific thing you really want to do. Can you measure its progress, is it attainable, how relevant is it and when do you intend to get achieve it.

2. They create, maintain, and expand their network of relationships and resources

Great businesses are built in the company of smart people. Remarkable entrepreneurs are always looking for opportunities to connect with new professionals but most importantly they maintain their connections because your network is an asset.

3. They are always finding new ways to improve, improve and improve

Remarkably successful entrepreneurs are constantly learning! Successful entrepreneurs are some of the most educated (perhaps not formally) people. And they are willing to listen to everyone and understand that timing is crucial in business.

They invest heavily in acquiring new knowledge (not necessarily getting a formal education) to get new perspectives on running their businesses and being productive.

4. They are great at building teams and hiring smart talent

You can't build a great company without great people. Hiring and building teams is perhaps one of the most important decisions entrepreneurs make on their entrepreneurial journey.

Hiring the right employee can enhance your company's culture and pays you back a thousand times over but bringing on the wrong employee can cause serious damage to your business. Search for talent, train skill.

5. They have Incredible focus

The successful entrepreneurs always know what they want and keep a laser focus on it at all times until it is obtained.

“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” ― Zig Ziglar. Focus on what matters.

6. Remarkable entrepreneurs take risks - calculated or not.

The great ones often practice fire-ready-aim at the outset. Are you ready to take risks. Ever wanted to take that big risk? You are not alone, Richard Branson has been there and he got past it. Take a step closer to your dream today.

7. They spot great opportunities and take it.

Successful entrepreneurs can recognize an opportunity when they see it. They can distinguish between what is possible, and what is not. They can compete differently, either by upgrading, downgrading, bundling or unbundling.

“The real magic of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust.

8. Successful entrepreneurs have clear and intriguing goals.

It's not enough to have SMART goals, but goals that really get you excited when you think of the possibility of achieving them! And guess what , every great entrepreneur can't wait to get started on a new opportunity.

9.They know when to delegate.

Truly successful entrepreneurs know when to get help - from an assistant, an accountant or business partner or co-founder. As they grow and expand their portfolio they know when to let go. The most important thing is to know whom to delegate to and when.

10. They expect and demand the very best.

Remarkable entrepreneurs have the ability and willingness to expect / demand the best work from everyone they interact with including vendors, employees, independent contractors, and service providers. And they strive to deliver their very best since they expect more from others.

11.They just don't give up easily

Every successful entrepreneur you know has failed multiple times but he or she got back up and tried again until it worked. Persistence and relentless pursuit of success has taking lots of successful entrepreneurs very far and they keep pursuing.

Probably one of the biggest mistakes you can make as an entrepreneur is to give up too soon before you even get started.

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”-Henry Ford.

Thomas Oppong is the founder at Alltopstartups, a business resource site for starting and growing startups. His latest book, Building Smarter Habits provides actionable guide on how to build better and smarter career and life habits--things you can try on your journey of change and constant learning. From developing productive routines, doing less to achieve more to sticking to new habits.