Think about a scenario where you work around the clock, at times with very little or no pay, and are living in a constant state of rejection only because you believe in your vision so strongly that even those close to you start believing you’re delusional. How much passion must you really have to defy being rational in order to dwell in a continuous euphoric state of mind? Any sane person would lose patience and surrender to the fear of insecurity.

For those of us who have not been exorcised from the “spirit of entrepreneurship”, we are in a relentless sacrificial state prepared to let go of what we are today for what we are to become tomorrow. We are influencers of society suffering from persistent elevated moods, an amazing ability to stay away from sleep, and an inherent drive to succeed.

Failure to us means “gaining experience” and is simply an opportunity to try again in a different way. We trust our intuition and deflect any noise coming from nay sayers. Like addicts, we continue to push our limits, increasing our threshold to cope with uncertainty. The greater the risk, the more substantial is the adrenaline rush we feel when it comes to reaping the rewards. Our dreams are big and we are obsessively focused in generating results that coincide with our vision. Whether our perseverance pays off is unknown, yet we try our very best working our butt off to make the unrealistic possible.

Now I am no expert in entrepreneurship, but being in business for the past decade closely working with several hundred business owners and marketing managers to develop and implement successful web strategies, I have learned that most entrepreneurs realize that there is no shortcut to success. Running a business is not easy and it takes a certain mindset to be prepared for unforeseen challenges. Successful entrepreneurs however don’t stop believing in their vision and they understand that great companies are built by great people, so they work towards building a strong team that supports their vision.

One of the most challenging aspects that entrepreneurs face is adapting to change. Whether it is an evolution of technology, shifts in your target market or increased competition, change is inevitable. Being able to adapt to change helps prepare entrepreneurs for future challenges. When it comes to investigating possibilities, successful entrepreneurs leave no stone unturned. They know that the most precious resource is time, therefore they act upon their decisions immediately so they can fail often and fast.

Nevertheless, with so many variables to consider and a spectrum of responsibilities to be accountable for, the pressures of society and an extended wait time to reach your goals can begin to have its toll. Some of us suffer for prolonged periods, others prevail much sooner. However each one of us who is fortunate enough to experience this insane journey, comes out more sensible than ever. You see, just like how diamonds never take their shape and shine without a high pressure and stress environment, entrepreneurs do not reach their prime unless faced with a series of challenging conditions that a business environment brings. Only through such insanity comes sensibility.

Entrepreneurship drives the economy and we are still experiencing this boom in Saskatoon. Recently I was inspired by several entrepreneurs in our community on how they found success in their business. Their collective message was that you can work as hard as you can and you might become successful, but if you work smart, success will become inevitable.

This article was originally published in the February/March issue of the Business View.