I’ve spent a great deal of time with some of he most successful business people in various markets over the last 6-months offering great opportunities to study the qualities of successful entrepreneurs. 

Building my own business, attending exclusive elite coaching and training sessions, speaking at conferences and meeting with leading executive in small and micro businesses provided an excellent study on characteristics of entrepreneurs.

A question I always have in the back of my mind after coming away from meeting someone who has achieved multi-million dollar results in their company is WHAT characteristics differentiate that person or persons from all of the others who haven’t quite reached that level yet.  In other words, what are the differentiating qualities of successful entrepreneurs?

Is it about WHO they are?  How they were educated or trained? Personality traits that give them the "edge"?  A lucky break or timing? 

Of course, it’s not one single characteristic  – but there are some definite qualities of success that we can put our finger on…

From my experiences, I’ve designed this quick test to measure your own likelihood that you will become one of those ELITE entrepreneurs:

1. Do you have a MISSION that drives your business plan AND that you are passionate about?  In other words, do you have a BIG impact you hope to make on your market that gets you out of bed early each day where you just can’t wait to get moving? 

2. Do you spend at least 75% of your time taking ACTION – even if you are not 100% sure of the outcome? 

3. Are you making sure that you are carrying through at least one action each day that takes you outside of your comfort zone?  (Contacting someone that may intimidate you, public speaking, conducting interviews, hiring top quality help, etc…)

4. What is your reaction when someone tells you "that can’t be done" or "that doesn’t make any sense"?  Do you accept the "normal" definition of what is possible, or do you create your OWN definition.

5.  How much does "what will other people think…" drive your decision making?

6.  Have you developed a plan on how other people will help you achieve your end goal, or is your plan completely dependent on your own skills and action?

7. Do you view obstacles as negatives or as positive building blocks to achieving an end goal?

8. How well do you know yourself?  Have you ever sat down and identified your strengths (ex. big ideas, but lack operational expertise or brilliant at executing, but not a good idea person?)

9. Are you willing to dedicate at least 5-years to achieving your MISSION or are you working on a month-by-month or 1-year plan?

10. Finally – have you had the "successful entrepreneur" microchip embedded in your neck that will instantly turn you into a multi-million dollar earning guru?  (Sorry – couldn’t resist!)

Answer these questions honestly, try your best NOT to fool yourself into answering "correctly" because your ego wants to believe you have the qualities of successful entrepreneurs.  Blindness never helped anyone achieve great things – instead, look at this as a learning and growth opportunity to identify the few characteristics of entrepreneurs that you may need to improve on your path to ultimate achievement.

Hit the comment button below this message and share your own thoughts, results and opinions on characteristics of successful entrepreneurs from your own experience and learning.

By the way – if you want a no-charge preview of my new book (putting the finishing touches on it now), head over to Attract Greatness – answer the one quick question and WHAM, you’ll have your own free copy of this $27 book.  Only catch is that I need your response before December 7th, 2007 after which the question will be gone and the book will only be available at the $27 price. 

Jeff