A successful entrepreneur will possess...

* The ability to rise about wishful thinking where you wait and hope to win the pools or inherit off that horrible uncle you hate.

* The need to rise about all the others, the many average Joes, that are out there and doing, well, just average !

* Confidence. Self esteem, self respect, a good opinion of himself, even if it is misplaced.

* Determination to succeed and to realise it will not be quick and easy.

* The patience to see it through to the end.

* Being realistic enough to work out what needs doing, whether this means learning new skills, getting qualifications, saving money and investing it, working very long hours, going without free time evenings and weekends, all in the pursuit of being a successful entrepreneur.

* The stamina not to flag. Not to get too tired to strive for and work towards and make that goal happen.

* Fitness and health, as you will not succeed if you keep taking time off ill or are in hospital!

* Reliability. If you say you will be there at 10 am aim to get there at 9.30 am. Being early is fine, being late is unforgiveable. It makes your customer or staff feel you do not respect them and then they do not respect you.

* A friendly personality that puts people at their ease, helps people to relax and makes them feel they can trust you.

* Inventiveness. If you do not think of great wonderful new ideas, and work out ways to make them succeed, they will not happen.

* A logical mind. A sharpness that means you are astute, able to work out who you can trust and who you cannot, the ability to see possible problems before they happen, to prevent them from happening if possible and to sort them quickly if they cannot be prevented.

* Resourcefulness. If you suddenly need 1000 which you must have by the end of today you can work out a way to get it. You can stand on your own two feet. Nothing throws you. If necessary you wing it, but you wing it like a pro.

* Willing to take risks. If you want to be sure of getting a definite amount of money every friday, and evenings and weekends off, then this is not for you. If you can do more than others and are sharper than others you will be rewarded and end up with more than those average Joes.

* The ability to make decisions quickly. If you dilly dally and question yourself and change your mind every five minutes..... well, forget it.

* Be tough. If one of your members of staff is skiving off or stealing then you sack them. None of this oh but we are friends stuff. You are friendly to staff and customers, but you do not let them use you.

* Willing and able to put in long and unsocial hours without feeling guilty or changing your mind later because friends or family nag you to take time off of work when you are needed there.

* Not worryng if he is unpopular. Staff might like you up to a point, but never really like a boss. Some will be plain jealous if you are doing better than them, even if it is because you are trying and working harder and smarter.

Learn more about this author, Carmel Brulez.
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