Entrepreneurial Education

I thought this young person on Answerbag asked a very good question:

How important is getting a formal business education to someone who wants to be a career entrepreneur? By peterpatch Asked  Feb 20 2007 10:53AM

Here was my my attempt to answer it:

Education is ALWAYS important. I have a formal education. I value it for it has taught me the skills to become a life-long learner. It has helped me in my primary profession. However, as an entrepreneur, it is not formal education that is as important as educating yourself constantly and over a lifetime. Here is what I suggest:

• Get a coach or a mentor and follow their suggestions.
• Work with an established system and learn the principles of that business through practice, failures, and successes.
• Work on your attitude every day.
• Read a book a week in a variety of fields including entrepreneurship, personal development, sales, technology, human behavior, and leadership.
• Read magazines and journals related to your field.
• Meet people every day and learn the art of networking.
• Attend conferences related to business, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
• Interview successful entrepreneurs as a regular practice.
• Surround yourself with positive people.
• Listen to at least one teaching CD or tape a day in your car or wherever you can.

Stay in touch and let me know how I can be an encouragement to you. GO FOR IT!