You’ve never dreamt of owning your own business, but that doesn’t mean you don’t fantasize about getting ahead and earning that big corner office. There’s a reason those impassioned entrepreneurs seem to be so good at turning their big dreams into realities: they have an entrepreneurial mindset. They’re confident and driven, and they thrive on the challenges that sometimes keep others from even trying. Embracing and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset can help you do your job better, allowing you to reach your goals faster, whatever they may be. So, no matter where your career is today, think like someone who rules the world, and someday, you just might.

Here are 10 ways you can think like an entrepreneur to succeed at work:

1. Take Action: Entrepreneurs don’t just talk about the things they want; they go after them. Instead of waiting for fortune to turn your way, find ways to influence what you can in order to encourage the results you want. Being a go getter can help you rise through the ranks faster, and it proves that you’re someone who can be trusted to get a job done.

2. Be Resourceful: Don’t let a limited budget stand in your way. Entrepreneurs find ways to make due and produce incredible results with what they have, and they’re clever about negotiating favors and freebees. Developing skills like these are crucial no matter the job, and finding ways to save the boss money is a great way to earn positive attention from those with the power to help you get ahead.

3. Recognize Opportunities: When entrepreneurs see an opening, they pounce on it. This way of thinking will help you choose the projects that can catapult your career by teaming you up with the right influencers or by demonstrating your ability to take the lead. Paying attention to the opportunities around you could also help you identify the perfect moment to ask for a promotion or a raise.

4. Be Fearless: Don’t let potential obstacles or rejection stop you, and don’t let a “no” scare you off. Entrepreneurs take risks and put themselves out there, which gives them an edge when it comes to sales, pitching ideas, and asking for better tools or more resources. Learning to stand your ground at the negotiating table is a skill that is critical to almost any business transaction.

5. Get Comfortable with Change: Fear of change is something that plagues many professionals, and it can prevent them from taking on new responsibilities, trying for a promotion, or applying for a new job. But don’t let fear of the unknown stop you. Instead, think like an entrepreneur, and decide to thrive on change. Accept being out of your comfort zone as a natural part of growth. Being at ease with uncertainty will empower you to say yes when others say no, helping you find the shortest possible route to success.

6. Love a Challenge: Entrepreneurs think adversity is exciting. Instead of choosing the easy road, point at the highest peak in sight and say, “l’ll conquer that one!” Priding yourself on winning in the face of extreme obstacles can be a major advantage whether you’re an intern, a new business owner, or a department head.

7. Know How to Delegate: Stay focused on the important things, and don’t be afraid to relinquish control to allow others to help lighten your load. Entrepreneurs learn that they must share responsibility and accept help when it’s available.  Embracing collaboration can assist you in meeting deadlines and preventing burnout to keep you at the top of your game.

8. Be a Lifelong Learner: Entrepreneurs constantly strive to be better, smarter, and more efficient. Learn to maintain a student mentality, and your hunger for information will help you shine at work by keeping you up-to-date on industry knowledge, critical technical skills, and relevant news you can apply to help your employer outwit the competition.

9. Think Big: Entrepreneurs set challenging goals and are constantly striving to improve themselves. Even if you never hope to run your own company, aiming high is a great way to discover how much you can achieve. Thinking about the future can be an excellent way to stay motivated. Push yourself to think about where you might like your career to be in a year, five years, and beyond, and you just might surprise yourself.

10.   Trust Your Instincts: Don’t spend a lot of time doubting yourself. Leading entrepreneurs know that negative thinking gets them nowhere. Trust your decisions, and be confident you will figure it out along the way. A great, entrepreneurial attitude will be your secret weapon against self-doubt, and it will help to remind you that you deserve the opportunity to succeed even when others casts doubts on your potential.

Thinking like an entrepreneur keeps you focused on your goals no matter where you are in your career path. It lends purpose to all the hard work you do, allowing you to set aside fear and ego to get the job done. It can help you remember that it will all pay off in the end. Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, and the only person who will determine how successful you can be is you.

Who is the best leader you’ve ever known? What qualities do you think made them successful?

At Cydcor, our idea of a leader is someone who can create a vision of the future, express that vision well, and use it to motivate people. Building a team, providing coaching, and setting clear expectations are some of the things leaders need to be really good at in order for the team to work effectively.

Leaders also need to master three key qualities to have a true impact: discipline, determination, and dedication. Examine these skills and discover how you can integrate them into your professional life.

Discipline

Discipline by its very nature is not an easy quality to master. It’s not glamorous—it’s simply unrelenting hard work. Excelling at discipline means that you approach each project with a clear understanding of what needs to be done and how you will get it done.

Don’t misunderstand the nature of discipline. It does not require you to be rigid or unrelenting. At its best, discipline is flexible and responds to changes in circumstance; it doesn’t mean that you’re unable to adapt as circumstances change during a project or when a new opportunity presents itself.

A disciplined leader is willing to address problems that arise and provide solutions. He or she looks for the best compromises and puts in the extra effort to make sure the job gets done well. They communicate clearly with the team and exemplify how to get the work done right.

Determination

A leader’s beliefs, principles, and values are founded in their determination. Determination can be a source of motivation, helping you through any and all challenges that might arise.

Did a family member, friend, or public figure inspire you when you were young? Often, a leader’s determination is learned through observation, stemming from a profound personal experience. Those who are determined to succeed recognize potential opportunities in a situation someone else might see as a dead end.

Dedication

A leader must develop and examine their dedication to projects so that they don’t lose sight of the goals. You must be a relentless worker: regularly check your progress against objectives throughout any project. Dedication requires focus. Make sure that the goals you establish are clearly stated and understood by your team as well. Schedule regular check-ins with team members to make sure everyone remains on the same page throughout a project’s duration.

A dedicated leader engages colleagues and keeps a conversation going throughout the life of the project. Dedication is fueled by communication and mutual respect. Let your colleagues know that you appreciate their efforts.

Leadership is a lot more than the three D's, but discipline, determination, and dedication are all necessary to being an ideal leader. Integrating these key attributes of a great leader into your work and personal life will have its own rewards.