Why I Love Bouncing Into Other Entrepreneurs

It can be lonely being an entrepreneur. We love being around awesome people, but the nature of our work means we are often alone.

We work on the computer, we brainstorm on whiteboards, we design, create, write, have meetings and we can do all of this in our pajamas.

So when we get a chance, we love to bounce into other inspiring entrepreneurs. We find them online, at conferences, in coffee shops, in the woods, downtown, on Skype, pretty much everywhere. If we're lucky, we might even set up weekly calls with them and get to hang out more often.

These are our people. They are optimists, innovators, problem-solvers, mentors and inspirations.

Thank you for being who you are and for being our friends.

If you want extra inspiration, here's one of my favorite entrepreneurs Derek Sivers. I was lucky enough to see Derek in person at the World Domination Summit this year and chat together with him over email for the past several years. He's an amazing guy.

This is #8 in the bouncy and optimistic series 100 Things Entrepreneurs Love where I remember little awesome reasons why I love being an entrepreneur.

#52 Seeing the best in people

The entrepreneurs I know have a way of seeing the best in people. They focus on the good, they see people's strengths and personality types, and realize that we all express love differently. They also help people see their own potential and celebrate it.

They surround themselves with people they love and create awesome things together.

It's easy to get started seeing the best in people. Here are a few tips:

1. Take a step back, relax and breathe
2. Think about two people you are grateful for in your life
3. Reflect on the qualities you really love about them
4. Consider sending them a little thank you text, email or note
5. Reflect on one person per day you're grateful for and tell them

We all love being appreciated.

And each of us can be that appreciative person any day.

This is #52 in my positive and upbeat series 100 Things Entrepreneurs Love where I remember little awesome reasons why I love being an entrepreneur.

#33 Having a nice slow morning with coffee

I love having one of those mornings where I can take it easy, slow it down a little bit and have a nice conversation over coffee. They are the kind of mornings that are worth waking up early for.

The sun still creeps up over the trees outside, the house is quiet, and the calm of the morning air lets me breathe a little bit easier.

Whether I head over to a coffee shop or just sit in my favorite chair at home, having a nice slow morning with coffee is one of those things I love.

This is #33 in my new slow and steady series 100 Awesome Things for Entrepreneurs where I remember little awesome reasons why I love being an entrepreneur.

#44 Finding Awesome Deals at Thrift Shops

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is." Ernest Hemingway

  Being an entrepreneur means you have learned how to be... creative... financially.

Enter the thrift shop!

Literally. Come on in, let's hang out.

Need a home office? Check out this cool desk and office chair!

Need a little coffee table for those early morning creative sessions? Look at this little gem!

A couch for hanging out? Done. Who do we know who has a truck...

A day will come when you can trade up and re-donate that fluffy monster back to the fiery chasm from whence it came.

But in the meantime, thank goodness for thrift shops.

Bonus Points: When someone says, "Wow, nice couch. How much was it?" They are never going to believe you. And yes, the ottoman came with it for free.  

This is #44 in my new super nerdy series 100 Awesome Things for Entrepreneurs where I remember little awesome reasons why I love being an entrepreneur.