Note: This is part 4 of a 4-part series defining entrepreneurship from author and serial entrepreneur, Jim Beach. We’re honored to have him on our blog. Make sure to check out his first book, “School for Startups.”

Read part 1 — Is Creativity Part of Entrepreneurship?
Read part 2 — Is Risk Part of Entrepreneurship?
Read part 3 — Is Passion Part of Entrepreneurship?

Part 4 – Why Entrepreneurship is About Execution

In parts 1, 2 and 3, we dismissed creativity, risk and passion as requirements for being an entrepreneur.

So what is left? And more importantly, what are the implications of entrepreneurship not being about those three things?

In a word: EXECUTION.

Entrepreneurship is about the pursuit of opportunities and executing on them, regardless of resources.

The implications of defining entrepreneurship based on execution, rather than on some magical cocktail of creativity, risk and passion, are profound. Removing creativity, risk and passion as necessary factors in the entrepreneurship equation also removes all possible excuses as to why you are not an entrepreneur, such as:

“When I get my great idea, I will do it then.”

“I can’t start a business now, the kids are just starting high school.”

“Who would pay to hear me sing?”

No longer are any of these reasons acceptable. The reason you are not an entrepreneur is not that you don’t have an idea, but that you are lazy! The reason you are not an entrepreneur is not that you are afraid of risk, but that you are lazy! The reason you are not an entrepreneur is not that you lack passion, but that no one wants to pay to hear you play the piccolo! (Well, some people might.)

You have no excuse for not being an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are the people that stand up and say:

“I am going to be the one to execute that idea better than anyone else has ever done it!”

Stand up. Start up. You have no excuses.

About Jim Beach

Jim Beach

He has spoken on entrepreneurship in colleges across the country, and has presented to several Fortune 500 companies. Jim founded TheEntrepreneurSchool.com, and InternationalEntrepreneurship.com to help other entrepreneurs worldwide. Follow him on Twitter at @entrepreneurjim .