American Entrepreneurial Spirit

This week I chose to expand on the American Entrepreneurial Spirit, which in my opinion, is one of the greatest assets that Americans possess.

Don’t like your job?

Great!

You have the power to start a company and do it better!

Don’t like your life?

Great!

You have the ability to take decisive action and change your destiny!

Americans, in general, do not like being told what to do. Many of my international friends chalk that up to stubbornness and unwillingness to play as a team. That is definitely one perspective.

Another perspective, however, is that the rebellious pioneer spirit is responsible for many positive things. The founding of our great nation was inspired by brave explorers looking for a better way. To expand westward in pursuit of opportunity and a better life. The American Entrepreneurial Spirit inspires us to take risks, charge through obstacles and never give up in the hopes of a great reward.

Some of the greatest innovations that the world has ever seen were spawned by less-than-ideal circumstances and the willingness to challenge the norm.

All that we have ever wanted, as Americans that is, is Freedom. Sweet, appetizing, I am the master of my own universe freedom!

A quick side note… Marketing 101 tells us to match our message to the market. To enter a conversation that they are already having internally.

I wonder why American citizens had such strong opposition to “being told” they had to wear masks or “being told” that they need to get vaccinated.

Hmm, a market of individuals who do not like to “be told”. Surprising outcome? I think not. I can think of a dozen better ways to approach it.

Historically, when faced with an adverse situation, Americans demonstrate grit and perseverance until we get the job done. Regardless of obstacles. It has served us very well in the past and will continue to do the same in the future.

From technological advancements, advancements in medicine, travel or industry. We have never been afraid to pursue a better way.

I will try my best to keep this non-political, specifically discussing how federal and state corporate law and tax structure handicaps start-up businesses.

I personally would like to see an exemption on income tax for any brave soul who starts a business for a set amount of time. If I were king for a day…

Anyway, this great nation was built on the backs of brave citizens who risked it all, and sacrificed greatly to solve a problem or improve a situation.

That is our superpower. That is why America has become the beacon of opportunity in the world.

I am not insinuating that America does not have its problems. I am merely introducing the notion that the American grit and defiance that is constantly being attacked in the news all over the world comes from a place of optimism and positivity.

It comes from a place of nothing left to lose.

Anyone who has been a student of history knows that for the majority of humanity’s time on the planet… Life was hard. Like really really hard. Documented with story after story of suffering, injustice, and tribalism.

Sometimes the defiance can go too far or take a wrong turn. Defiance for the sake of defiance is never a good path. But, I have faith that we, as a country, will continue to self-correct. As we have always done in the past.

I feel it is my obligation to society to help as many ambitious citizens find their entrepreneurial spirit, their courage, and chart their own course. As a matter of fact, my inspiration for success is not the physical trappings and traditional signs of success.

I am inspired to help as many people as possible lift themselves up, through business ownership, to create a better path for themselves and their loved ones. And… I have a lot of ideas of exactly how to do that.

How to encourage empowerment instead of entitlement. To offer advice and support to teach others, who started life on a rocky path, to lift themselves up and take control of their lives.

The price of admission? The hope, in return, is that anyone that I help in a meaningful way pays it forward. Helping someone else change their future for the better.

A future of empowerment, empathy, and progress is the world that I want to leave for my children and grandchildren.

So, if you have the means and desire to help others change their course I strongly encourage you to do so. We are all citizens of one planet, and a rising tide lifts all boats.

In the meantime, let’s all work on developing a healthier mindset. I have written before about some of the mindset materials I have read in the past. Unfortunately, and probably unintentionally, the authors of the books I read did more to harm my interpretation than help it.

I get to know a lot of people from all walks of life on a regular basis. The thing that breaks my heart the most is talking to someone who is looking at life all wrong. And knowing that I do not have the influence or time to convince them otherwise.

Life is not all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s not all dark skies and stormy seas either.

If you are reading this, as a business owner. Congratulations on taking the steps to create your own future.

If you are reading this as an employee, pursue the dream that you shelved when the time is right for you.

Sure you will make mistakes. We all do!

The crazy thing is that the people who have achieved huge levels of success miss the struggle. They miss the uncertainty and challenges.

Those mistakes and setbacks provide some of the greatest life lessons. You cannot have success without failure. Those who inherit success could never replicate it on their own without the lessons of mistakes to draw from.

Life is like the Grand Canyon… Stick with me here!

When I was 16, I hiked the Grand Canyon… In August. It was hot, like 3rd ring of hell hot. At that moment, the hike was miserable. But looking back on the memory, I am so happy that I did it.

All of those mistakes in business, or life for that matter are identical. When you are in the middle of it… Everything is miserable! But looking back, there is a romantic charm to the struggle.

Remember, comfort is the enemy of growth. The benefit of significant discomfort is the inspiration and fearlessness to try something new. This is historically the circumstance that the most notorious innovators in our planet’s past found themselves in; at the threshold of society-changing breakthroughs.

Defiance and grit can be negative, but it is also the optimistic foundation for some of the greatest achievements in human history. It is the foundation that the American Entrepreneurial Spirit is built on.

Until next time…

Justin

Bootstrap Billionaire

Justin@bootstrapbillionaire.com

847.641.4028

Back to the Resources