Scott Assemakis is one to know how important of a role mindset can play in determining an entrepreneur’s ability to succeed. In the fast-paced world of modern business, your mindset can make you or break you.

That is why today we will take a look at the 11 rules that make successful entrepreneurs different from the rest. How do they think? Why do they act the way they do? How are they able to make impactful decisions fast?

Accompanied by popular quotes of highly influential entrepreneurs, we’ll look at the mindset processes that enabled them to succeed.

1. Think big – even when you have to start small

Scott Assemakis Remember that none of the best technology and inventions today would have been possible if their inventors wouldn’t have allowed themselves to dream big.

Donald Trump once said "As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big."

Allow yourself to dream big. Then, figure out a way to make those dreams into reality. Because there’s always a way.

Divide big objectives into smaller objectives. Then, divide smaller objectives into actionable steps that you can get done today.

Do that for a while, and watch even the most seemingly impossible ideas start to become real. Do it one step at a time. Divide and conquer.

2. Create your own future – instead of trying to predict it

Successful entrepreneurs don’t believe in abstract concepts such as destiny or fate. Instead of ceasing control over their future, they decide to create it themselves.

They don’t believe in luck. And they aren’t leaving everything to the off-chance that one day an amazing idea will come to them that will change the world – or make them a fortune.

Peter Drucker once said: "The best way to predict the future is to create it."

Successful entrepreneurs go out there and actively look up problems that they might be able to develop a solution for.

They get in touch with people. They ask questions. They find out what people are struggling with, and then they seek ways to make their lives better.

3. Don’t quit: Scott Assemakis

Don’t abandon your ideas easily. Flexibility is important, but don’t quit on an idea before you have real proof that it won’t work. Moreover, never quit trying. Learn from failures and move on.

Vince Lombardi once said "Winners never quit and quitters never win."

We often look at very successful people who have been building their businesses for decades. We look at everything they managed to create, and then we think to ourselves "I’ll never be able to do something like that."

What we don’t see is the huge amounts of work those people have been putting in their business – for a very long period of time.

Don’t underestimate what you can do in the long term, and don’t over-estimate what you can do in the short term.

Leave your ideas enough time to mature and come to life. Don’t rush into big decisions that you’re not yet sure of.

4. Learning is growing

2An entrepreneur’s life is a constant learning journey. In the internet era and with the way technology is evolving right now, learning has never been easier.

Always seek new and better ways to serve your existing and potential customers.

Richard Branson once said "I see life almost like one long University education that I never had — everyday I’m learning something new."

Jim Rohn also said "Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."

Do you want to make a living, or a fortune?

5. Scott Assemakis: Failure is the road to success

31Great entrepreneurs learn from failures. They’re happy to have them. They celebrate failure – when they can afford it. Only because they know failure is the most valuable learning experience.

Bill Gates once said "It’s fine to celebrate success, but it’s more important to heed the lessons of failure."

Know that every time you fail, the lessons you learn will only get you closer to success.

6. Work hard – and enjoy every moment of it

The truth is great entrepreneurs work hard. Often for a long time, without any reward at all – not even a salary. But they keep doing it because they enjoy it. For an entrepreneur, their work often doesn’t feel like work. Their work is also their hobby.

Thomas Edison once said "Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration."

In order to be successful, you’ll have to work hard – without expecting immediate reward. But you’ll do so knowing that the reward will come, eventually.

Your ideas coming to life will be much more valuable than the monthly pay checks you would’ve collected otherwise.

7. Learn from your customers

They say we have two ears and one mouth because we’re meant to listen twice as much as we speak. Successful entrepreneurs know this. They listen to their customers’ feedback. Then, they implement it to improve their services.

Constructive opinions that point out the things you’re doing wrong will almost always be better than those pointing out the things you’re doing right.

Bill Gates once said "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."

Learn from your customers – especially the unsatisfied ones. Why is it that they’re not completely happy with your service? Take notes, and make improvements.

What better way is there to get valuable feedback on your services, if not listening to the people who actually use them?

8. Get out of your comfort zone

4This is the only sure-fire way to learn and experience new things in order to grow.

Mark Twain once said "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do."

Get out there and experience new things – especially those that are out of your comfort zone. This way, you will better understand people and their problems. It will also widen your horizon and give you the chance to explore new problems.

9. Be a leader – and teach others how to be leaders too

5Become a leader by power of example. Achieve amazing things, and then teach others how they can do the same.

John C. Maxwell once said "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

Don’t simply try to be a leader in every situation. We can’t always be leaders – many times, we are better suited as followers. Leave the leader role to another member of your team should they be more capable of leading in one specific context.

Ralph Nader once said "The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers."

10. Do something you love: Scott Assemakis

6Follow your passion is abstract advice. What exactly is passion, and how does one find it? Great entrepreneurs find what they love by experimenting.

Try something out. See if you can achieve tangible within one specific area. When you did, ask yourself if you truly enjoy doing that thing. Do you see yourself doing the same 5 years from now?

If you do, you’ve likely found (one of) your passions. If you don’t, then simply keep on experimenting with other things. This is easier to do when you’re young.

Albert Schweitzer once said "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

Are you happy doing what you’re doing? Then there is no way you can go wrong. There’s no telling exactly how long it’s going to take, but you will be successful.

Allow yourself to dream. Visualize your ideal life 5 years from now. Why wouldn’t you be able to have that life? If you believe you will, then you’re probably right. If you believe you won’t, then you’re definitely right.

Napoleon Hill once said "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve."

Don’t limit yourself. Believe in your ideas. Work on your dreams. If you’re truly passionate about making them into reality, eventually you will.

More Great Tips From Scott Assemakis

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Scott Assemakis is an experienced entrepreneur who loves to connect with like-minded people – why not connect with him right now on Twitter and LinkedIn?