Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle not a job

Let’s be honest, the life of an entrepreneur is not for everyone, particularly not for those who like the idea of the typical 9-5 job existence, where working hours are clearly set out in contracts and career paths are well trodden. For most entrepreneurs, it’s a passion and a drive to create and build something, to find solutions to challenges and problems in the world, to push the boundaries and to innovate - it’s a lifestyle. There is a great quote by the entrepreneur Niklas Zennstrom, founder of Skype and Kazaa, who speaks about exactly this, he says: “If you want to be an entrepreneur, its not a job, it’s a lifestyle. It defines you. Forget about vacations, about going home at 6pm – last thing at night you’ll send emails, first thing in the morning you’ll read emails, and you’ll wake up in the middle of the night. But its hugely rewarding as you’re fulfilling something for yourself.” Remember this when you are sitting up in bed in the middle of the night with your laptop, brainstorming new business ideas via Skype or WhatsApp, and sending emails to other entrepreneurs around the world who are just like you - all whilst so called ‘normal’ people are still sleeping. That’s the lifestyle of the entrepreneur!