What
Qualities
Are
the
True
Tokens
of
Successful
Entrepreneurs?
You've
probably
seen
the
bumper
stickers
that
say
"Lead,
Follow,
or
Get
Out
of
the
Way."
While
the
bumper
sticker
may
be
directed
at
the
dreamer
doing
10
miles
less
than
the
speed
limit
in
the
left
lane,
it
also
applies
to
everyone's
life.
Most
people
are
followers,
but
others
are
leaders.
They
want
to
be
at
the
helm
of
their
own
ship,
charting
the
course
that
their
lives
will
take.
They
are
most
likely
ENTREPRENEURS
-
people
who
have
what
it
takes
to
start
and
succeed
at
their
own
businesses.
What
qualities
are
the
true
tokens
of
successful
entrepreneurs?
Thousands
of
books
and
articles
have
been
written
on
the
subject.
There
is
even
a
Chicken
Soup
for
the
Entrepreneur's
Soul
and
an
annual
event
called
"Entrepalooza"
at
the
University
of
Michigan,
where
successful
business
owners
relate
their
secrets.
It
turns
out,
though,
that
just
about
everyone
who
takes
on
the
challenge
of
owning
their
own
business
has
certain
qualities.
1.
They
have
a
dream.
It
can
be
anything
from
wanting
to
make
a
living
from
a
hobby
to
wanting
to
find
a
way
to
spend
more
time
with
their
families.
Along
with
their
dreams
comes
the
foresight
to
see
a
need
for
something
or
a
problem
that
needs
solving,
and
finding
a
way
to
supply
that
need
or
solve
that
problem.
Instead
of
saying,
"Someone
will
probably
invent
a
way
to
make
a
profit
from
that,"
the
entrepreneur
says,
"I'M
going
to
be
the
one
who
finds
a
way
to
make
a
profit
from
that."
2.
They
visualize
success.
Lots
of
us
have
thoughts
and
ideas
of
how
we'd
like
our
lives
to
change.
We
say,
"If
only
I
could
find
a
decent
job,"
or
"If
only
I
could
lose
20
pounds."
Entrepreneurs
don't
just
think
about
it.
They
see
it.
They
spend
a
great
deal
of
time
"seeing
success."
If
the
goal
is
to
spend
more
time
with
family,
the
entrepreneur
sees
himself
or
herself
working
at
home,
hears
one
of
the
children
say
"Mom,
I'm
so
glad
you
don't
go
away
to
work
anymore,"
and
feels
what
reaching
the
goal
is
like.
This
"positive
thinking"
technique
has
been
around
for
a
long
time-and
it
still
works.
It
helps
create
faith
in
yourself,
and
that
is
a
prerequisite
for
anyone
even
thinking
about
starting
a
business.
They
never
stop
using
this
visualization
process:
It
keeps
goals
shining
brightly,
and
for
the
entrepreneur,
there
are
always
new
goals
to
reach
for.
3.
They're
good
listeners
and
observers.
Aki
Morita,
who
founded
Sony,
got
the
idea
for
the
infamous
Sony
Walkman
when
he
got
tired
of
listening
to
teenagers
blasting
music
from
their
boom-boxes.
He
knew
he
wasn't
the
only
one
bothered
by
the
noise.
By
listening
to
what
people
are
saying
and
observing
what
they're
doing
(or
not
doing),
the
entrepreneur
identifies
what
people
want.
Lots
of
people.
They
also
listen
to
advice.
While
it's
great
to
have
people
cheering
you
on,
entrepreneurs
find
a
wealth
of
knowledge
in
the
doom-and-gloomers.
They
present
the
possible
downsides,
providing
the
business
owner
with
some
new
ideas
to
think
about
as
they
develop
their
business
plan.
They
read
books
and
listen
to
motivational
CDs.
They
stay
psyched
up
for
success
by
learning
new
skills
and
staying
on
top
of
technology.
4.
They're
good
organizers.
Once
a
new
entrepreneur
develops
an
idea
and
begins
visualizing
a
goal,
he
or
she
makes
a
plan.
They
know
they
can't
just
plunge
in
and
hope
for
the
best.
They
do
research,
find
out
what
others
in
similar
businesses
are
doing,
and
find
mentors
who
can
help
them
figure
out
what
steps
they
need
to
take
to
begin
reaching
for
their
goals
and
dreams.
They
find
out
how
much
money
they
need,
what
kind
of
equipment
is
essential,
and
if
they
will
need
to
hire
people
or
can
go
it
alone.
Ultimately,
they
consider
all
of
the
information
and
advice
they've
gathered
and
make
their
own
decisions,
taking
the
best
ideas
from
each
source.
5.
They're
focused.
Once
the
course
is
charted,
the
work
begins.
There
will
be
phone
calls,
e-mails,
and
paperwork.
There
will
be
days
when
nothing
goes
right,
and
when
obstacles
seem
insurmountable.
But
because
entrepreneurs
are,
above
all,
problem
solvers
who
love
a
challenge,
they
have
the
courage
and
perseverance
to
keep
going.
They
bounce
back
from
failure
like
super-balls
hitting
the
sidewalk.
They
keep
their
organizational
plans
in
mind,
and
keep
striving
to
achieve
each
step,
one
at
a
time.
6.
They
don't
believe
failure
is
an
option.
To
be
successful
in
your
own
business,
you
must
believe
100%
that
you
will
succeed
at
what
you
are
doing.
You
must
have
faith
in
your
own
ability
to
make
things
happen.
You
must
believe
that
your
idea
is
really
a
good
one
that
will
help
other
people
or
make
the
world
better
in
some
way.
Sometimes,
it
simply
takes
guts-like
the
quarterback
who
decides
to
run
the
ball
and,
against
all
odds,
scrambles
over
the
pileup
and
scores
a
touchdown.
7.
They
have
self-discipline.
Running
your
own
business
doesn't
mean
that
you
can
mosey
down
to
your
home
office
at
10
AM,
go
to
lunch
at
noon,
and
take
the
afternoon
off.
Just
like
at
a
regular
job,
entrepreneurs
work
hard.
In
fact,
many
put
in
more
hours
and
work
harder
than
they
did
when
they
were
someone's
employee.
But
it's
easier
to
put
in
the
extra
hour
or
two
when
you
have
a
passion
for
what
you
are
doing,
a
roadmap
for
where
you're
going,
and
the
confidence
that
you
will
achieve
success.
Are
you
tired
of
working
for
someone
else?
Do
YOU
have
what
it
takes
to
be
an
entrepreneur?
If
you
believe
in
yourself,
fill
in
the
form
below
for
free
information
about
starting
your
own
business.