From the book New Venture Creation, which lists common responses when entrepreneurs are asked an open ended question about what they believe to be the most critical concepts and skills:
- Do what gives you energy – have fun.
- Figure out what can go right and make it.
- Say “can do” rather than “cannot” or “maybe”.
- Illegitimi non carborundum: tenacity and creativity will triumph.
- Anything is possible if you believe you can do it.
- If you don’t know it can’t be done, then you’ll go ahead and do it.
- The cup is half full.
- Be dissatisfied with the way things are – and look for improvement.
- Do things differently.
- Don’t take a risk if you don’t have to – but take a calculated risk if it’s the right opportunity for you.
- Businesses fail; successful entrepreneurs learn – but keep the tuition low.
- It’s easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.
- Make opportunity and results your obsession – not money.
- Money is a tool and a scorecard available to the right people with the right opportunity at the right time.
- Making money is even more fun than spending it.
- Make heroes out of others – a team builds a business, an individual makes a living.
- Take pride in your accomplishments – it’s contagious!
- Sweat the details that are critical to success.
- Integrity and reliability equal long-run oil and glue.
- Accept the responsibility, less than half the credit, and more than half the blame.
- Make the pie bigger – don’t waste time trying to cut smaller slices.
- Play for the long haul – it is rarely possible to get rich quickly.
- Don’t pay too much – but don’t lose it!
- Only the lead dog gets a change of view.
- Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get.
- Give back.
- Embrace sustainability.
- Never give up.
A few old chestnuts in there, and a few that really ring true. I especially like 8, 11 and 16.