"Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life."

That quote from Dr. David Burns would appear to most of us to make complete sense. None of us are perfect, and all of us are wrong at one time or another.

But after having spoken with over 600 people in the past year about entrepreneurship, I continue to meet people who are "too smart" for their own good. They know all the answers before asking the questions, they have given up their right to be wrong, and unfortunately, in my view, they close themselves off from possibility.

When I was seeking a new career almost two years ago, I approached my search as if I knew nothing. Despite a track record of success in multiple management roles--I had spent 15 years in Fortune 500 companies before taking a lead role in a small firm--I assumed nothing.

I researched and asked questions, interviewed entrepreneurs and refused to feel embarrassed about my lack of knowledge. That path brought me to The Entrepreneur's Source, a business designed to help other people realize their dreams of business ownership.

I did not set out looking for The Entrepreneur's Source. But following my extensive research, it seemed like a natural fit, and I purchased the rights to a master office in California. A willingness to learn was the key to my discovery, and ultimately, this decision has been one of the most satisfying of my life.

In a short period of time, I was thrilled to see the numbers of people, who like me, were looking for a way to control their own destiny through the pursuit of running their own business. However, I was equally surprised by how many people take an approach that may limit their options when trying to become an entrepreneur.

Our CEO, terry Powell, often says that a least 75% of the adult population has that grain of sand in their shoe. They know that they want a better way, but they are not sure how to go about that search for self-sufficiency.

This is what the Entrepreneur's Source is based on. We know that the vast majority of people are unhappy with their current employment status, and only 55 know what to do or how to go about changing it. Many individuals, including the people reading this article, feel that striking out on their own is the answer.

Most people think they want to own their own business and be their own boss, but not everybody enters the process with an open mind. With over 767,000 different franchise companies operating in North America, and countless more business opportunities, it would be very difficult to know exactly what company will work for you without taking the time to research.

My experience in helping people through the services of The Entrepreneur's Source confirmed my belief that one of the most important qualities of a future business owner is an open mind.

At The Entrepreneur's Source, we spend a great deal of time helping our clients discover who they are and what they want to do with their lives. Through our unique coaching services, our clients discover what's right for them.

Just as we ask our clients to have an open mind, as consultants of The Entrepreneur's Source, we do not have a preset agenda. We aren't pushing one franchise over another.

Instead we put the interest of our clients first. We work hand in hand with our clients to help them examine their goals, needs and expectations, so that they can create a mental picture of what they want their lives to look like. That is what we do; we help our clients find out more about themselves first.

This education phase is critical because it plays a vital role in determining the next step. It is during this part of the process that people who are trying to make such a critical life change need to be more open and honest with themselves than ever.

It is here where those considering franchise ownership need to look at themselves in a way they may never have been required to before. They must do that to determine what their motivations are, what roles they enjoy, what types of satisfaction they derive from their work, and whether or not being a business owner is really for them.

The last part is particularly important. I encourage everyone considering entering into a new business to spend time with people who are in that business to spend time with people who are in that business. Through these validation experiences, clients can get past the theoretical and into the reality of that business.

Quite often, that experience is a key ingredient for people in determining what types of businesses are attractive to them and it takes an open mind to participate honestly in that process.

These validations often help people realize that being their own boss is not for them, and they return to their jobs, emboldened by the fact that they have at least tested the waters and now realize there are aspects to their work experience that they enjoy.

When this happens, believe me when I say it is as gratifying to me as helping someone become an individual business owner. there is no shame in discovering that returning to work in a corporate setting is a more comfortable situation for you. christopher Morley said, "There is only one success--to spend your life in your own way."

At the Entrepreneur's Source, we coach our clients through a discovery process that helps uncover the possibilities that are available to them. Just as we ask for our clients to be open-minded, Entrepreneur's Source consultants are completely objective.

We are franchisees ourselves. As such, we do not push anyone in one direction or another; instead we act as a guide during our client's journey towards self-sufficiency and self-employment. We are simply a vehicle to help our clients achieve their dreams.

Some will find success with a franchise. Some will find success starting their own firm. Some will find success returning to the job market. There is no reason to enter this process with a predetermined outcome. In fact, 95 percent of our clients discover options that they would have never looked at or would have prematurely dismissed on their own.

The dry cleaning industry is an excellent example. A number of my clients would have never considered entering this type of business, thinking it was too "mom and pop" for them or that the business itself wasn't glamorous or profitable enough. But once they take a look at the business model, several have decided to open a dry cleaning store.

If you like the support of a franchise system, then the next step is to determine what type will suit you. The latest trend is towards the health category, but that doesn't mean that type of business is for everybody. The role you're willing to play, the type of customer interaction you would enjoy, and the satisfaction you derive from self-employment are more important than simply following the latest trend.

For the franchisees at The Entrepreneur's Source, not only are we helping our clients open up their world to possibilities that they never knew existed, but our clients help us learn about ourselves as well. Helping others find their way to career happiness while building your own business is one of the most unique aspects of The Entrepreneur's Source model.

Just as building a business takes hard work, finding the right business opportunity is an arduous process. But with some help, it does not have to be impossible and is often the most gratifying exercise anyone can undertake. We know the work pays off; we've seen it firsthand.

Ultimately, there is no substitute for preparation. Following your dream to run your own business is a life-altering process that requires discipline, determination and the support of your family and friends. Only then will the possibilities of controlling your own destiny be open to you. As a Russian philosopher once said, "Discovery is an accident meeting a prepared mind."