We looked at the importance of focus in the last post, so I’m going to cover the next most important characteristic you must have.

That important characteristic is… determination.

You see, without determination, nothing actually happens. Anyone who tells you that being an entrepreneur is a piece of cake is lying to your face. I’ve never come across a successful entrepreneur who has not endured a level of hardship that most people never experience.

It takes a great deal of persistence – determination’s closest kin.

Determination is what will get you over that hump. It will bring you to a place only 20% of the population truly enjoys – Financial Freedom.

No, money can’t buy you happiness. But it certainly beats being poor!

20% of the population actually controls 80% of the world’s wealth. This is just the 80/20 principle at work. The 80/20 principle, or Pareto Principle, governs everything around us – Money, Power, Time, etc.

Back to the topic of determination. Did you know that someone as famous as Michael Jordan, the NBA basketball superstar, almost didn’t make the basketball team in school? Imagine what would have happened if he had said: “The hell with basketball! They didn’t select me…I’ll never make the team…” If he didn’t have confidence in himself, how could anyone have in him? He had to believe it first. When he started believing in himself, it led to behaviors and ultimately actions which led to his acceptance into the school team.

If he had quit when he was told that he couldn’t play, we would never have heard about “Air Jordan”. He might as well never have existed.

Instead, he worked hard that year and made the team the following year. At this point, he wasn’t yet the superstar we know today. He was only beginning. He continued to work at it.

What made all the difference? He stuck with it. He worked on it. He lived it. He ate it. He breathed it. Everyday.

The question is: Can YOU?

Are you willing to stick to it, work hard at it, and do whatever it takes?

Are you willing to sacrifice your time, energies, and present comforts for greater future gain?

If you are, I welcome you to the club. You’ll soon find yourself in very distinguished company.