10 Ways To Develop An Entrepreneurial Mindset (Whether You Have A Business Or A 9 To 5)

First, get clear on what it means to have an entrepreneurial mindset.

Alechia Reese, a brand strategist for large companies, influencers, and celebrity clients, summed it up perfectly: "One who is keen at building, creating, and progressing toward a goal that solves a problem - without being prompted, or directed."

Hone in on the essential traits that every Millennial who’s an entrepreneur at heart must possess.

"The entrepreneurial mindset is directly tied to having leadership and problem solving skills," says Shay Duriel of The Bronze Hustle, a learning and community platform for Black bloggers and online entrepreneurs.

"If you are able to exercise those skills in your job, not only will you be a better employee, you'll be a better entrepreneur."

The ladies also ranked having the ability to take initiative, creativity, and innovation, critical thinking, and fearlessness as the top characteristics that every entrepreneurial minded Millennial must have.

Rashida Banks, blogger and creative business consultant, emphasized that being orderly is another essential trait. "Having order, not only includes keeping good records, or making sure your email is organized, but it also includes your work area as well. Order helps to speed things up and it makes you more efficient, and the lack of order slows you down."

Other traits to embrace: resourcefulness, flexibility and adaptability, good communication and listening skills, persistence, and good intuition.

Take control of your career - whatever that may look like.

Vivian Nweze is a media host/producer and influencer that's in charge of her career. "I believe that anyone who seeks out opportunities that aren't handed to them or already a part of their 'duties' has an entrepreneurial mindset."

"We have more skills than we realize and someone is going to be willing to pay for it."

Lauren Bealore, who works in political fundraising while running Y.A.B., a venture conglomerate that's owned by women of color, describes an entrepreneurial-minded Millennial as "an individual that doesn't just carry an ambitious mindset but one that uses their tenacity to execute ambitious ideals. This individual must design the roadmap for their career rather than follow what society historically carved out before them. That is what separates the Millennial spirit from other generations."

Hustle… HARD.

No matter what you do for a living, you have to put in work to reap success.

"The same energy you put into your passion should be the same energy you put into your day job no matter what it is. In order to build up the characteristics needed to be a successful entrepreneur, you have to continuously practice those skills," says Joanna, founder of Loud Music Tour, a live music production company and booking agency for indie artists.

"To be entrepreneurial minded means the work you're doing must be obsessive," says Diamonde Williamson the creator of Blossom, a video-on-demand platform for women of color.

"Our livelihoods are at our stake. We may or may not know when the check is coming in so we must be obsessive in figuring out ways to make our business grow. I'm not doing this just so I can work 9-5p. I'm doing this so one day we have a massive office with floor to floor ceilings we can all work out of."

Be a strategic and innovative expert in your industry.

"When I think of an entrepreneurial minded Millennial, I think of people who have found a void in society and figured out a way to fill it. [We] recognize the value of providing services and products to a specific target market," says Lauren R. Jackson, Esq., an attorney who also runs IMANEE, Inc. a nonprofit organization that empowers African American girls and women.

Being strategic as a business owner is a must, but it's also important in the workplace. Brittany Dandy, a branded content producer and journalist, believes: "An entrepreneurial minded Millennial understands that they have entrepreneurial career options no matter their industry."

"They also understand how to leverage their skillset to amplify their professional value and impact on their community or career field."

Anique Hameed, a philanthropy and social good advisor at her firm Opulence Consulting Group, agrees:

"We are consistently trying to build something new, and create a better world in doing so. We are inspired by the experiences of past generations, but know that the old models for achieving success don't often work for us. We are unafraid take the reins and drive innovation forward."

To remain competitive and strategic, many of the ladies encourage becoming an expert in your field. Study the industry, stay up to date on trends, and publish work on relevant topics to position yourself as a thought leader.

Work your hustle.

We are all challenged with not having enough hours in the day, but that's especially true if you have a side hustle and a full-time job. D'Shonda Brown, CEO of Gold Blooded Communications, a public relations and creative branding agency, encourages other Millennials to get scrappy with their time.

She recommends that career climbers use their lunch break or other gaps in their time to build their dream.

"There are always those small crevices and crannies in your day where you can work on your business. Don't let your day job be your center. Being an entrepreneur is all about adjustment and change and a 9-5 job is the perfect way to test your adaptation skills."

Leverage where you are and what you have.

"You have to see yourself as the 'CEO' of me. The intrapreneurship [behaving like an entrepreneur while working within a large organization] of Millennials is our way of demanding our own leadership development, creating our own learning outcomes, and adding variety to our own careers. It means we have to rise to leadership across the board in the day job as well as the side hustle," says Aerial Ellis, a professor and author of The Original Millennial.

"See your salary as an investment in your entrepreneurial pursuits. Allow the resources and relationships to fuel your direction by letting the influence you gain show up in both worlds and watch the benefits become assets."

Tiffany Malone is doing just that. She balances working as a social media specialist for a nonprofit with her wellness lifestyle brand InspireFire, where she hosts the Soul Filling podcast.

"I take everything I learn at my job and apply it to my businesses if I can," says Tiffany. "For example, I'm learning more about PR and fundraising for my job, but you better believe I'll be applying what I learn there to my own businesses. Think about what skills your day job has and how you can apply it to your own side hustle."

Get your money by creating multiple streams of income.

"I love the option of being able to pursue your passion at your job, or working at a job to fund your passion until you can find a job you love or pursue your dream as an entrepreneur full time," says Mia Hall, a social media strategist, writer and founder of Brown Girls Glow, an empowerment organization for young women.

"It's said that millionaires have 7 streams of income so 'side-hustles' are work just like jobs and I celebrate them."

Diamonde of Blossom touched on an important topic that entrepreneurs and career climbers alike should strive towards. "For me, one of the larger goals is generational wealth and I can't get there playing small. So everyday, I choose to play BIG."

Identify strategic mutually-beneficial collaborations.

"Let's band together to make a difference. Two powerhouses can co-exist and succeed, while also collaborating to make a change. There is power in numbers," says D'Shonda.

Find a mindfulness practice that works for you.

Many of the ladies found that journaling, praying, going to church, exercising, writing to-do lists, relaxing, and meditation helps them practice mindfulness.

"When we quiet the mind, we gain inspired ideas and can think of more ways to solve and serve. As entrepreneurs, mindfulness can help us have the discipline and discernment we need for intuitive thinking," says Aerial.

Music can help your mindfulness practice as well. Here's a Spotify playlist that these ladies helped me curate to get your mind in the zone and keep you focused.