One of the characteristics that define the entrepreneur is the self-knowledge he possesses of himself, and where his strengths and weaknesses lie. Based on this awareness of his personal attributes both positive and limiting, he will act to leverage the former and try to mitigate the latter. In this article, we will analyze the importance of strengths as fundamental pillars on which to undertake successfully.

What do we mean by strengths and how do I know which ones I have? A first approach is to perform a simple introspection of those talents, qualities and natural abilities that life has given us at birth. Every human being is born with certain gifts and is better, in some things, than most of those around him. Already as a kid and without much instruction, you can notice those children who stand out drawing, or are good athletes, good communicators, good things, good thinkers, or especially like nature, among other skills.

As a child, intelligence tests were conducted at school that sought to measure the so-called IQ. Primarily referred to the relationship between mental age and biological age, for which was tested the ability of logical-mathematical analysis since it was thought, was the best indicator of intelligence of a person, Capacity to reason and solve problems. If this ratio was 100, it was considered normal; And if he gave above or below, he classified the person as more or less intelligent, respectively.

Later (1983) Howard Gardner developed the theory of multiple bits of intelligence, removing relevance to academic brilliance, and identifying 8 distinct and semi-independent intelligence. How many times have we found that people who were brilliant in school, but ultimately failed in the personal sphere; And also those "vague" who took the subjects under examination, but triumphed in business and are prosperous economically?

Another test that I remember was already in the high school, was the test of vocational guidance. He wanted to identify what we were good for so we could recommend possible careers that required those skills.

An entrepreneur knows how to recognize his outstanding qualities and why he has natural ease. On the other hand, the real entrepreneur not only knows them, but also develops and improves them into an art. No one doubts that Michael Jordan was born with natural qualities for basketball. 
Yet what made him perhaps the greatest player in NBA history was his determination and hard work in harnessing his gifts and developing them to perfection. It is said that when they finished the practices and all returned to the dressing rooms, he stayed hours practicing sunken and 3-point shots.

If we help nature and work to develop our innate talents to the point of becoming excellent, and why not the best, we will gain value in personal and professional, which will be a valuable asset when it comes to entrepreneurship.

Another approach regarding the entrepreneur's strengths is the knowledge he possesses, in the field of knowledge and "know-how." It includes everything that the entrepreneur was learning from the academy, from self-study (now Google University) and perhaps most important, from experience (practical knowledge). Based on the latter, several entrepreneurship development programs teach participants under a "learning by doing" methodology. To this end, the participants are required to create, for a predetermined period, a business venture that involves the production, sale and management of the business.

This experiential exercise of facing the challenges of an undertaking is usually the most enriching and useful way to acquire practical knowledge that you can then apply to any other business in the future.

The values and attitudes of the entrepreneur, as long as they are positive, also constitute a fundamental strength of the entrepreneur. Without an active, proactive and persevering attitude, many innate talents of people are often wasted. That is when you hear the saying "God gives bread to those who have no teeth." When lacking personal skills, and attitude to develop and take advantage of them.

Last but not least, they also constitute strengths, the resources that the entrepreneur has at his disposal. In terms of resources, I am referring not only to material resources (machines, establishments, vehicles, etc.), or financial (savings in money or indebtedness), but also to their own capacity for work backed by their personal health Sometimes forgotten, but fundamental), and to the contacts and relationships with which it counts. 

The personal connections and relationships of the entrepreneur are necessary for the early stages of the entrepreneurship, so the networking activity (work in developing and building networks of relationships) should be an essential business of every entrepreneur. What are your strengths on which to base your venture?