Most self-employed have an entrepreneurial approach to life that affects the way they think and act. The questions and answers below can help you assess your potential ability to be your own boss.

Entrepreneurs tend to share certain characteristics and attitudes about life, but all have a strong inner drive to strike out on their own.

Am I a self-starter?

Successful entrepreneurs believe that they control their own destiny and refuse to be at the mercy of others or of events. As a result, they take the initiative in starting projects and getting ideas off the ground.

Am I confident that I can succeed?

Successful entrepreneurs are optimistic about projects they undertake, and are good at motivating others and sharing their enthusiasm when pursuing goals.

Am I flexible? Can I adapt to change and handle surprises?

To succeed in business, you must accept change and use it to your advantage. Successful business people monitor trends, adopt new technologies, compare themselves to the competition, and listen and watch with an open mind.

Am I creative? Am I always looking for new approaches and ideas?

Entrepreneurs have a great capacity to dream up and carry out projects. They are highly motivated by their desire to bring their own approach to doing things.

Am I willing to take calculated and moderate risks?

Successful business people gather as much information and support as possible before making a move. In this way, they build a safety net for themselves and decrease the amount of risk involved.

Do I believe that money is the best measure of success?

The desire for money is not a prime motivation for most successful business people. Rather, they seek personal fulfilment and enjoy doing their best.

Am I able to set long-term goals? Can I stick with them, even if I'm faced with a difficult problem or situation?

Successful business people are patient and determined. They work toward a goal, delay rewards until a future time, and persist even in difficult times. They understand that it takes time to be a success--sometimes years.

Am I good at making decisions, and are my decisions generally sound?

Successful business people tend to be comfortable making their own decisions. They say, "When I decide to do something, I carry it through to the end, overcome any obstacles and face all the issues."

Am I a good organizer? Do I pay attention to details?

Conducting a successful business requires organizational skills and competence. Your self-discipline and ability to pay attention to details can make the difference between success or failure.

Do I have good communication skills?

Successful entrepreneurs must communicate their ideas in many different situations to many different types of people. The ability to present your ideas--in a business meeting, formal proposal or other circumstances--is essential to attracting customers and clients.