ning. They develop specific goals to achieve their vision and they commit their goals in writing. They are disciplined to force themselves to do what they need to do to accomplish their goals.

9. Networking. They form alliances with those who can help them and whom they can help in return.

10. Lif

Do you know any successful entrepreneurs? What do you believe are the characteristics that are common among the successful men and women who start and succeed in their own businesses? Here are thirteen thoughtful, tried and true characteristics that I believe define the successful entrepreneur.

1. Overpowering need to achieve. They constantly seek to perform at their best. They are goal oriented, like to be unique and strive to accomplish results based on their own efforts.

2. Courage. Simply put – they have the “guts” to strike out on their own and alone.

3. Optimism. The pure entrepreneur possesses an almost boundless amount of optimism and it never seems to end. Setbacks are viewed as new opportunities and learning experiences.

4. Positive mental attitude. Successful entrepreneurs exhibit confidence and believe in their abilities to succeed.

5. Strong self-motivation. They are driven by needs, desires and will power.

6. Think success. They develop a clear vision of what they want to achieve. They visualize success in their minds.

7. Passionate. They want to achieve change and they pursue their vision with an intense personal passion. They simply love what they do.

8. Planning. They develop specific goals to achieve their vision and they commit their goals in writing. They are disciplined to force themselves to do what they need to do to accomplish their goals.

9. Networking. They form alliances with those who can help them and whom they can help in return.

10. Life

ering need to achieve. They constantly seek to perform at their best. They are goal oriented, like to be unique and strive to accomplish results based on their own efforts.

2. Courage. Simply put – they have the “guts” to strike out on their own and alone.

3. Optimism. The pure entrepreneur possesses an almost boundless amount of optimism and it never seems to end. Setbacks are viewed as new opportunities and learning experiences.

4. Positive mental attitude. Successful entrepreneurs exhibit confidence and believe in their abilities to succeed.

5. Strong self-motivation. They are driven by needs, desires and will power.

6. Think success. They develop a clear vision of what they want to achieve. They visualize success in their minds.

7. Passionate. They want to achieve change and they pursue their vision with an intense personal passion. They simply love what they do.

8. Planning. They develop specific goals to achieve their vision and they commit their goals in writing. They are disciplined to force themselves to do what they need to do to accomplish their goals.

9. Networking. They form alliances with those who can help them and whom they can help in return.

10. Lif

ses an almost boundless amount of optimism and it never seems to end. Setbacks are viewed as new opportunities and learning experiences.

4. Positive mental attitude. Successful entrepreneurs exhibit confidence and believe in their abilities to succeed.

5. Strong self-motivation. They are driven by needs, desires and will power.

6. Think success. They develop a clear vision of what they want to achieve. They visualize success in their minds.

7. Passionate. They want to achieve change and they pursue their vision with an intense personal passion. They simply love what they do.

8. Planning. They develop specific goals to achieve their vision and they commit their goals in writing. They are disciplined to force themselves to do what they need to do to accomplish their goals.

9. Networking. They form alliances with those who can help them and whom they can help in return.

10. Lif

needs, desires and will power.

6. Think success. They develop a clear vision of what they want to achieve. They visualize success in their minds.

7. Passionate. They want to achieve change and they pursue their vision with an intense personal passion. They simply love what they do.

8. Planning. They develop specific goals to achieve their vision and they commit their goals in writing. They are disciplined to force themselves to do what they need to do to accomplish their goals.

9. Networking. They form alliances with those who can help them and whom they can help in return.

10. Lif

ning. They develop specific goals to achieve their vision and they commit their goals in writing. They are disciplined to force themselves to do what they need to do to accomplish their goals.

9. Networking. They form alliances with those who can help them and whom they can help in return.

10. Lifelong learner. They are willing to learn, to ask questions, remain curious, interested and open to new information and knowledge.

11. Perseverance. They persist in times of adversity and are able to bounce back, pick themselves up and begin again.

12. Work hard. They work hard and they quickly tell you they had to work more than 60 hours per week at the start of their business.

13. Effective communicator. They have effective listening, speaking and writing skills.

Do you possess these characteristics?