Here's how you can smoothly transition from an employee to an entrepreneur.

Why not both? I actually thing 99% of people think being an entrepreneur is "cool" it isn't. Its hard AF and risky. I have a full-time job and do this on the weekends; there is nothing wrong with that. Also, risking your financial stability to me is not an option with a family. Maybe if I was single and 25 I would go for it but I am not. The mindset shouldn't be "bet on yourself" because that's caused huge financial problems for countless people.

The mentality of a child at play What characterises play for the child? Fun, a certain unpredictability and a deep involvement with the matter at hand. In a safe environment. Anything is possible in play. Creativity guides the child. And the foundation: children simply love to play. They lose themselves in it. It's the same for you when you embark on your entrepreneurial journey. But with slightly higher stakes 😉. All in, so to speak. In front of you is a blank sheet of paper and the opportunity to turn it into anything your creativity can come up with. And above all, to do what you love. Play like a child, with full dedication and passion. And your entrepreneurial journey will bring you fun and success. Do what you love.

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill. Embrace the entrepreneurial mindset: create value, solve problems, and seize opportunities with proactive flair. Adapt, be resourceful, and resilient through challenges. Share your thoughts on this shift below! 🚀💡

Once we figure out humans are the cheapest to rent, it hits home… We don’t know what we don’t know, right!? But once we know what our passion is and find a business opportunity that helps bring that passion to life we must act on it. This isn’t a post that is telling you to quit your job today and follow entrepreneurship. I would advise whomever is looking to break free of the rat race/9to5, start the business and give yourself a moving on point from your job. A job is only to help you pay your bills, pay for childcare, car etc… But if you’re business can help you build something to cover those cost then you have no excuse to stay at a job. Go hard for your last name! NOT someone else’s!

Having an entrepreneurial mindset means having a vision and coming up with a strategy to get there. With a traditional job, you are told what to do, you may have freedom on how to do it, but you don't necessarily need to know the end goal. But having a vision and turning it into reality, carving your path and putting together a crew to help you, giving them a direction and a purpose, is what entrepreneurship is in my opinion.

Become an expert in your niche and help solve problems Problem - solution. This is probably the most successful combination in the history of entrepreneurship. Broken down, it's about: you find a problem that causes a lot of "pain". And you do this for as many people as possible in a specific niche. You develop a solution to this problem, in whatever way you can. A solution that works. You test it in a sample of the niche. You collect feedback and improve it. Make it as clear and simple as possible. If it is accepted, it is really just a matter of making sure that everyone with this problem knows about your solution and that it is accessible. All strategic and planning steps follow the goals and steps of this path.

It's important to differentiate between strategizing and planning. A strategy is necessary to attain your vision, while a plan is needed to execute your strategy. A strategy outlines your vision and resource needs, while a plan defines SMART goals, timelines, and milestones. Recognize that requirements may change, impacting your plans, and be open to adjusting strategies if necessary. Keep your vision constant, celebrate milestones, learn from your implementations, and reassess when needed.

In my experience, the real struggle isn't identifying the gap between where you are and where you want to be. The real challenge is figuring out the right way to get there. It's less about learning how to drive and more about understanding whether you need a car, a boat, or a plane. Figuring out the right mode of transportation – the specific skills you need – is far more critical than simply learning how to use those skills. Networking with people who have made similar journeys can provide invaluable insights into the unexpected obstacles and the types of skills that proved most valuable in navigating their paths.

IKIGAI and a Board of adivsors To embark on an adventurous entrepreneurial journey, you need a strong foundation and great support at many stages. Through IKIGAI, I have discovered the intersection of what I love, what I can do and what is needed. However, this journey is so diverse and always holds surprises in store that it is impossible to bring the complete, required skillset with you. My advice here is to build up your own board of adivsors right from the start. Especially in the areas that are not your home turf. Build it up from experts and specialists, but also from holistic advisors. It's the mix that makes the difference.

A great network is the key to dominating your niche Networking is a fundamental skill that every successful company needs to be able to do. The good thing is: it's a learnable, trainable skill. Screen your niche for key players and network with them as early as possible. Build a lasting relationship. Give before you get. Attend relevant events and constantly expand your network. Use platforms like LinkedIn. Here you can work on your network automatically 24/7. For me, the biggest lever for network growth: build your personal brand.

One thing to consider is that there's nothing entirely "smooth" about entrepreneurship. Being an employee comes with structure, clear expectations, and the stability of a paycheck. It also comes with bosses, rigidity, and a scheduled time demand. While entrepreneurship has the perks of making your own schedule, being your own boss, and other freedoms touted on social media, it also comes with the pressure of taking on all of the personal and business financial responsibility that comes with it, finding your own clients (which can often take more than 9-5 work hours), and fluctuating, inconsistent income--at least in the early phases of building. Let go of the expectation of things being smooth and easy and embrace the unknown!