We were having a conversation in a networking group of entrepreneurs from various industries and the question was asked, “What few traits do we all have in common?” No one spoke up, so I said “we are all stupid and stubborn.”  This was met with total silence and uncomfortable stares. I broke the silence with “I guess I should explain myself” and it was met with unanimous nods. Here is my explanation.

In no stretch to my imagination do I think we entrepreneurs are completely stupid. However, we must have some degree of stupidity to take a chance to build a business from a dream or an idea to profitability or even success. Will Rogers once said “we are all ignorant, just on different subjects.” What I meant was that we have to be “stupid” when it comes to seeing all of the obstacles that lie in our path.  To the person, we all agreed that if we knew certain issues before starting our businesses, we would have never had the intestinal fortitude to ever start our business. It takes a lot of faith to go with our vision in order to get started in our own business. Those obstacles are just dealt with as they come on a day to day basis. We need “stupidity” to not see the obstacles and focus on the end goal.  Some call it having blinders on like a plow horse. Zig Ziglar once said “Obstacles are those scary things we see when stop looking at our goals.” I believe if we stay too “stupid” to be scared it drives us to accomplish great things.

I believe stubborn is equally important. Entrepreneurs must be stubborn enough not to lose focus of our goals. It is not easy when some of those around you tell you it won’t work and to quit. Most of the time it is your family and friends that are the ones trying to tell you your business won’t work. I have a theory on why family and friends would say that instead of being encouraging and helpful. I believe most of them are too “smart” or afraid to have the intestinal fortitude to start a business and live their dream.  This gives them excuses instead of hope. Therefore, they do not want you to succeed, for fear of feeling like a failure themselves. An unknown author once stated “Obsessed is a word that the lazy use to describe the dedicated.” In my mind stubborn just means dedicated and focused to achieve my goals. Never let anyone stop you from achieving a dream. Amelia Earhart once said “never interrupt someone doing what someone else said could not be done.” It is great to be stubborn in your beliefs.

Most of my piers did agree that all of us shared the two traits of being too “stupid” to be afraid to move forward with our dreams and goals. They all agreed stubborn is an invaluable trait we entrepreneurs all must possess in order to achieve success. So the next time someone calls you stupid or stubborn, just know they are paying you a compliment. To your success!

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence“.–Helen Keller

Image by Pakorn at www.freedigitalphotos.net

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Tim Wilhoit is owner/principal of Your Friend 4 Life Insurance Agency in Nashville, TN. He is a family man, father of 3, entrepreneur, insurance agent, life insurance broker, salesman, sales trainer, recruiter, public speaker, blogger and team leader with over 26 years of experience in sales and marketing in the insurance and beverage industries.