you are required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words.
The thread must include a Scripture reference and at least 2 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources, plus the course text, all in current APA format. Each reply must include a Scripture reference and at least 1 scholarly source, plus the course text, all in current APA format
1. Although the careers of an entrepreneur and of a professional athlete seem to require vastly different skill sets, there is more overlap than one may think. There are five main qualities that one must have to become a successful entrepreneur and I believe they are the same for a professional athlete as well. First, they must be self-directed; for an entrepreneur’s job they must control how much time they work and the time they allocate to each task. For the professional athlete, they also must manage their own routine and the time they spend working on their craft. For both careers, they get out the effort they put in. Second, they must be self-nurturing; for the entrepreneur this means they must continue even after failed business ventures and the rejection of ideas by believing in themselves to not stop until success is reached. For the professional athlete, facing the constant fear of one mistake costing them everything or not being able to outperform others for a spot on a team. They must believe they are the best or will work to make themselves better. Both must be able to make their own motivation to succeed. Third, they must be action oriented; an entrepreneur cannot just talk about their ideas but be able to see them to completion. A professional athlete must constantly be putting time into the action of bettering themselves in their craft. As Denzel Washington said, “Dreams without goals, are just dreams and they ultimately fuel disappointment”. Fourth, they must have high energy; an entrepreneur or professional athlete both must choose how much time to put into work. Therefore, to be the best, more time and effort is required, so they must be able to keep up with the demand of success. Fifth, they both must be tolerant of uncertainty. Everyday entrepreneurs do not know if their idea, that they put so much time and money into, will work or how the athlete will always be wondering if they will get drafted or if this next game will be the one that takes them out of the sport forever. They must be able to handle that stress if they hope to come out on top. I believe that if we are not accounting for preference or physical variables, that athletes share the same core values as entrepreneurs making them good prospects for entrepreneurship.
Within some sports, teamwork is a core component and failing to create synergy and coordination within a sports team will most likely lead to failure. Some of that can be carried over to the work of entrepreneurship because one cannot do all things by themselves and at some point, will have to work with others, making teamwork an important skill. Teamwork is a prevalent factor in our lives and the Bible has a clear message on the topic of being able to work with others. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
References
Cantner, U., Goethner, M. & Silbereisen, “R.K. Schumpeter’s entrepreneur – A rare case.” J Evol Econ 27, 187–214 (2017). https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1007/s00191-016-0467-3
Grobbelaar, Heinrich W, and F. Janet Lawless. “Sport Psychological Skills Profile of Track and Field Athletes and Comparisons Between Successful and Less Successful Track Athletes.” S.A. journal f or research in sport physical education and recreation 37.3 (2015): 123–142 https://liberty.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/
William, Nickels G. James, Mchugh M. Susan Mchugh M. (2019) Understanding Business twelfth edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
H. Walker DB 2
COLLAPSE
2. For this discussion thread, I have chosen to respond regarding the similarities between the characteristics demanded of an entrepreneur and those of a professional athlete. I absolutely believe that an athlete would be a good prospect for entrepreneurship. Our textbook lists some of the needed characteristics of an entrepreneur as self-directed, self-nurturing, action-oriented, highly energetic, tolerant of uncertainty, and willingness and ability to take risks. (Nickels, 2019). It is pretty clear why people who wish to start a business must possess these qualities, but why would athletes need to possess them? Athletes often need to have a self-directed and self-nurturing attitude, as they have to really put themselves out there to get noticed and signed onto a team. Like some new business owners, these athletes may not have others who believe in them or their visions/dreams for their future. Therefore, they have to be able to advocate for themselves well. Professional athletes are definitely action-oriented as well, since their entire careers depend on their actions. This can be the physical act of playing their sport or their actions off of the field. They must be very intentional about their actions since it can affect their entire career. Professional athletes must be highly energetic, as they are constantly performing or practicing their sport – there is not much “off time” for athletes and this means long work days/nights, including travel. Lastly, athletes must be tolerant of uncertainty, because just like in business, they know that no matter how much they practice and prepare, the competitor will win from time to time. You can never guarantee that your business or your team will come out on top. Just as in business, professional athletes must assess and take risks in order to succeed and profit. Business owners take risks when they make business decisions and athletes take risks when they decide to sign contracts with a specific team and when they make quick decisions on the field or in the arena. Additionally, teamwork can be incredibly important in an entrepreneurial effort, because more people are required than just the entrepreneur. Business is built on partnership, even if you are the sole owner. For legal reasons, and in an effort to protect your assets and business, the entrepreneur must work together as a team with a lawyer. The business owner must also work as a team with his employees, and finally with his customers. None of these things work well without the others. Because of the practice that professional athletes have with these required characteristics of a business owner, I believe they could make a great entrepreneur. I personally believe that whatever you do, you should just do it well. 2 Timothy 2:15 in the Bible says “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”.
References:
Nickels, W.G., (2019). Understanding Business, Twelfth Edition. McGraw Hill.
The Holy Bible ESV 2 Timothy 2:15
