If you’re an introvert with big business dreams, then this is for you. When you tell someone that you’re an introvert, they usually expect a shy, quiet person—and maybe you are. However, that doesn’t mean that you would make a great entrepreneur. Fellow introverts like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, J.K. Rowling and Marissa Mayer prove that you don’t need to be outgoing to be successful.

Being a successful entrepreneur as an introvert is all about playing to your strengths and making up for anything you feel you lack.

Figure Out Where You Belong

When you’re starting out, it’s easy to get excited about new ideas. However, if you want to have a successful business, you need to pick a business that you love. Keep the big picture in mind, and take the time to think about how you could possibly see your business in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years.

Once you commit to your idea, it’s important to start small. Taking on too much will easily lead to burnout and discouragement. Scaling and growing doesn’t have a definitive timeline. You may even find your business changing along the way, but that’s what happens when things start getting real.

Focus On Creating

If you ever want to find someone passionate about creativity, then turn to an introvert. This is a great strength! Finding a business partner is a great move if you want to stay involved in the day-to-day aspects of your business. But when it comes to selling and pitching your new business, we stronger introverts may find that we could fall short, or just simply not be interested in the part.

If that’s the case, then it’s important for you to find someone who complements you and makes up for any of the skills that you may be lacking. Being able to focus on the things you enjoy in your business can be vital to your overall success.

Take A Step Back

When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re your own boss. Your business model depends on you and how you prefer to structure it, whether you prefer a small-scale business or want to work as a solopreneur. Either way, it’s important to take time for yourself. Growth is great, but if you don’t stop to enjoy it, then you’ll have difficulty connecting to your business.

Introverts all need a certain amount of alone time to recharge from heavy days and long nights. Be sure that you’re still taking care of yourself. After all, as an entrepreneur, it’s important for you to set an example. Your health comes first.

Understand Your Energy

Balance is a life-long struggle; some days will seem better than others. As an introvert, running a business can seem more draining for us. Take a look at how you’re spending your days and weeks. Think about what felt great, and what didn’t. Is there anything about the scenario that you can change by outsourcing, so you can focus on the part of your business that you love?

As an introvert, it’s important for you to understand your personal flow of energy and try to create an agenda that works for you. Maybe you deal best with early mornings and long two-hour lunches to recharge throughout the day. Work on your business during times when you feel most inspired and energetic.

Be Kind

When I say, “be kind,” I’m telling you to specifically be kinder to yourself. We introverts can be very self-aware, as well as critical. You are your own worst critic, right? It’s easy to get swept up in all of the tiny issues taking over your brain, but stressing about things you can’t change won’t do anything for you except slow you down.

Do your best to stay positive by journaling, meditating or whatever it is that seems to zen you out. Devote time to be kind to yourself throughout the day.

Main + featured image by Jennie Corti