On the topic of entrepreneurism
Entrepreneurs are often defined as someone who started their own company - the one who goes on an adventure. That seems to be a very symbolic definition of a narrow sample size making it sound like it's reserved for a few. A better way to define that would be those who take charge of their thoughts, words and actions. This is inclusive of micro-entrepreneurial things we do in our daily life which could be indicative who we will be in the future.
In other words, Entrepreneurs choose to have their own definition of everyday terms that a majority would accept how it's defined for everyone else. Even when they conform to existing definitions, it's a mindful choice instead of following the crowd.
'Taking charge' vs 'being in control'
We are humans and we may not be in control all the time. And it is okay. However, taking charge, especially when we are not in control, is important. It shows that we believe we can influence our thoughts, instead of merely being an observer through inaction or being a conformist to someone else's thoughts & ideas. For someone to have an independent thought, they must consider existing ideas, examine them critically and embrace them only if that idea is true for them. If they are not true, be courageous enough to discard or re-define them. We are making a choice, being mindful of the consequences. The options may be out of our control, but the choice is.
Is the game flawed? At several levels - some systematically (gender/race/sexuality/etc.. by our parents, educational institutions, workplaces), some subconsciously (insecurities/egos) and others purely due to the apathy of those who are defining the rules of the game. We, as well, limit ourselves of certain options due to our upbringing which has imparted a set of values and morals that we choose to live by (do not interpret this as we should abandon those - only that people will have different values and morals).
All that said and done, it is a choice. Choosing status quo & inaction, even subconsciously like continuing to be the same person we were yesterday, is a choice. To be mindful that it is a choice, being ready to accept the consequences of such a choice and being mindful of the options, is the beginning of being an entrepreneur. From there, to being a leader is not a stretch - know how to expand the options available to you (network/grit/skills) and define better choices for those around you (standing up for them) especially when it is tough for you to do so. Though not many make that stretch - Not all entrepreneurs become leaders (forget about great, just leaders). But every leader is an entrepreneur in their own regard. A leader is an entrepreneur with empathy, passion, rigor and resilience.
How do definitions fit here?
Let's take an example - the definition of "work-life balance". Majority of us are told that evenings and weekends should be for life or some similar definition. If we were to look deeper, what counts as 'work'? We hear 'if you do what you love, you won't have to work a day in your life' and also 'if you do what you love for earning money, you'll hate every minute of it'. A few generations ago, some of our ancestors worked as farmers but they didn't think of it as work and life. There is no definition of balance - they wake up and immediately it's the cows first, then the crops, then the sheep and in between there would be brunch, a visitor, a newborn in the family, the cows again. In the evening, there may be some time for the chat with fellow villagers at the communal gathering spot on occasion and rinse repeat. They didn't have a choice than to be okay with that life. There is no talk of a better life, even if they knew what better looked like.
The marked difference now is that we have the means for a better life - with our choice of defining what's better - if only we make certain choices. Choice of education and work, for example. We have needs and wants that push us to make those choices with corresponding trade offs. As with any commodity, the demand for access to a better life outstrips the supply for said access. Most of us moved away from our dependency on nature & physical labor only to depend on fellow humans and physical/mental labor.
If we are to approach this with an entrepreneurial bent, we could frame this as choices: What do I want from this job/career? Why do I want it? What is the trade-off I am willing to make given my current situation? If so, What does balance mean to me? If that balance is not available in this job, what would I do? Should I work longer hours today, give up on dinner with family to meet a deadline because my boss said so? Is what I get in return worthwhile? Each of this then becomes a choice with options and consequences.
This is not to say that we should suffer 16 hour jobs to get what we want - only that there will be someone who is willing to make that trade off. In a supply constrained world with limited amount of money going around, with many who need the money, this will continue. Some will choose to go through with it, thankful to even have the opportunity to work long hours. Some will choose to fight to change the rules so that no one has to go through that. Some will choose to complain about the state of the world without ever doing anything meaningful - for them or for others. But the majority will go through with it mindlessly but with the increasing feeling of frustration, driving them to stress and anxiety, forcing them to switch jobs only to realize the cycle repeats all over again.
Who then is an entrepreneur?
It is how we frame the problem that leads to a solution. If it is framed as 'everything beyond our control' - it will likely be true, but also limits options available to us. If it's framed as choices and consequences, it will make us more mindful on expanding those choices and force us to be honest with ourselves about what we really want and what we are willing to pay for it. It is the difference between "It is beyond my control" and "I am aware that I think it is beyond my control". That may very well be the beginning of an entrepreneur. Every story of a successful entrepreneur has one thing in common - they didn't seem to think about 'what others have done/would say'. They did what they wanted to do. They had their own definitions and made their choices.
The question, for us then, is - what are we choosing today?
P.S: The topic of evolving the system so that it's not rigged against those who are at a disadvantage is not the focus of the article. It is critical that we should be fighting to make it happen - however, as long as we believe in the free market, we will need to make choices - hence the focus here is on choice.