Ever feel like you want more out of your career but have no idea where to start? Maybe you’re great at your job, but promotions, recognition, or new opportunities seem… just out of reach.
Good news: you don’t have to quit your job or start a business to get there. What you do need is to start thinking like an entrepreneur inside your career.
Let me tell you about my client, Maya. She was a mid-level analyst at a financial firm—smart, ambitious, hardworking. But she felt invisible. She wanted more. She didn’t know where to begin.
Then one day, she noticed her team spending HOURS on a reporting process that could be done smarter. Instead of shrugging, Maya leaned in. She learned a new tool, automated the process, and saved her team dozens of hours every week.
No one asked her to do it. She wasn’t the manager. But by seeing the opportunity and taking action, she made herself indispensable. Within a year? Promoted. And for the first time, she felt in control of her career.
That’s what thinking like an entrepreneur in your career really looks like: spotting opportunities, taking initiative, and creating impact that gets noticed.
Stop Thinking Like an Employee
Most people show up, do their tasks, and hope someone notices. That’s fine—but it won’t get you the “more” you want.
Entrepreneurs? They look for problems. They see gaps. They act before anyone tells them to.
You can do that too. Ask yourself: Where can I add value no one else sees? How can I make an impact that gets noticed?
Here’s a quick tip: write down three areas in your role where you could create more value than expected. Then pick one and act on it. Small wins lead to big momentum.
Opportunities = Visibility
Entrepreneurs don’t wait for permission. They take ownership. Here’s how that translates into your career:
- Step into projects others avoid: These are the things everyone groans about—see them as your secret advantage.
- Suggest better ways to do things: Pitching solutions makes you the problem-solver, not just a task-doer.
- Learn cross-team skills: The more you understand, the more valuable you become.
When you do this consistently, you stop being “just an employee” and start being the person people can’t ignore. That’s how you build influence and strengthen your personal brand.
Your Personal Brand is Everything
I know, “personal brand” sounds fluffy. But hear me out: it’s just how people perceive your value.
- Show your wins without bragging: Share results in ways that highlight impact.
- Help others succeed: Influence grows when you’re known for lifting others.
- Be the problem-solver everyone remembers: Make yourself the go-to person for solutions.
Think of yourself as Me, Inc.—a business that sells results, solutions, and leadership potential. Your personal brand is how you make yourself unforgettable.
Take Smart Risks
Entrepreneurs fail. Fast. Then they learn and try again. You can do the same:
- Volunteer for projects that stretch you.
- Experiment with new responsibilities.
- Treat mistakes as lessons, not shame.
Every stretch makes you more capable, more visible, and more promotable. Leaders notice people who act, learn, and adapt. That’s you.
Network Like an Entrepreneur
Connections = opportunities. Always.
- Go beyond your team: Every person you know can offer insight, collaboration, or a future opportunity.
- Find mentors: Don’t wait for a program. Seek them out.
- Leverage conversations: Every chat is a chance to share your perspective and show your value.
Real networking is influence in action—not just LinkedIn likes.
Treat Your Career Like a Business
Here’s your entrepreneurial career blueprint:
- Spot Opportunities: Look for gaps, inefficiencies, or areas to create value.
- Build Your Brand: Make your wins visible, solve problems, and become indispensable.
- Act with Ownership: Take initiative, stretch yourself, and embrace challenges.
Do this consistently, and you stop waiting for permission. You start creating momentum. Promotions, raises, and new opportunities follow because you’re actively running your career.
Bottom Line
Thinking like an entrepreneur doesn’t mean quitting your job. It means taking control of your career, your personal brand, and your impact.
Stop waiting. Start seeing opportunities. Take action. And own your career like the CEO you already are.
SANDY ADAMS 