Can anyone really become an entrepreneur?

Read this if you're someone who has an idea or wants to build something

You know what's weird?

I used to think anyone could start a business if they just worked hard enough. That entrepreneurship was just about having a good idea and the guts to go for it.

Then I dug deeper into what actually separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else, and honestly, what I discovered might surprise you.

The uncomfortable truth about entrepreneurship

Through my research, I've learned that only about one-third of people can become truly successful entrepreneurs.

I know that sounds harsh, but hear me out.

There are specific attributes that successful entrepreneurs share, and they're not what most people think. It's not about having the best idea or the most money to start with.

It comes down to three core things:

Risk tolerance - Can you handle the constant uncertainty? The sleepless nights when everything could fall apart tomorrow?

Laser focus - This is huge. Can you identify the 3-5 most critical things that need to happen today and ignore literally everything else?

Luck and timing - And yes, this matters more than we'd like to admit. Even Napoleon said his favourite generals were his lucky ones.

But here's the thing that really got me thinking...

The freedom question

The real question isn't whether you can become an entrepreneur. It's whether you want the specific type of freedom that comes with it.

Because entrepreneurship isn't about work-life balance. It's about choosing your own chains.

"It's not about the pursuit of money or greed. If you do that, you'll fail. It's the undying love of freedom."

You can have a fantastic life as an employee. You can build wealth, have security, and enjoy your weekends. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that path.

But you'll never be completely free.

Entrepreneurship is the only path to true personal freedom - the freedom to make your own decisions, control your own time, and build something that's entirely yours.

The question is: do you want that freedom badly enough to give up everything else for it?

This reminds me of conversations I have during my 1:1 coaching sessions. So many people say they want to be entrepreneurs, but when we dig into what that actually means - the sacrifice, the uncertainty, the relentless focus required - they realise they're not ready for that level of commitment.

If you're working through whether entrepreneurship is right for you, I offer personalised guidance: https://topmate.io/chalkmeout

The real test

So can anyone be an entrepreneur?

The honest answer is no - but not for the reasons you think.

It's not about your background, your education, or even your initial idea. It's about whether you have the specific psychological makeup to handle constant ups and downs while staying laser-focused on what matters most.

The good news? If you're asking this question, you're already thinking like an entrepreneur.

You can always write to me by simply replying to this newsletter. I read every single email, even if I can't reply to them all. Remember, the path isn't for everyone - and that's perfectly okay. The key is being honest about what you actually want from life.

Have an amazing week ahead.

Building something meaningful,

Rayn