Without This One Thing, You Cannot Succeed

You got it all figured out.  You've got the product nailed.  You know your market.  You know how you are going to sell your products.  You've got the talent.  You maybe even have some backing.  Success is just around the corner.  Maybe.

You can have everything you think you need to succeed in your business or startup, but without one very specific thing, you will not make it.

What is it?  Drive.  If you are not driven to the ultimate level, beyond what anyone thinks is neccessary, then your chances of success are small.

After years of interviewing the top entrepreneurs in their fields, the one thing that stands out is that they are driven, almost obsessed with making their dream a reality.  It always amazes me how many people have the talent, capability, resources, and even the right connections, but they don't succeed or even try.  It has always puzzled me.  Why are so many capable, but only a few truly make it in the game of entrepreneurship?  It's because the ones that do are driven more than anyone else. 

I recently interviewed Jason White, an entrepreneur who created a business that does millions per year in government contracts called the Federal Code. 

By all accounts, Jason was destined to be another statistic.  He grew up in the hood getting in trouble and didn't graduate high school.  In his early 20's, he was working as a gas station attendent when a chance meeting happened that set him on a new path.  He learned about the possibility of making money fulfilling government contracts and decided he was going to figure it out and change his life.  He didn't know what he was doing or how to do it.  He didn't know the first thing about goverment anything - but he was driven as hell.  He spent almost 3 years working and figuring out how to win and then outsource the servicing of government contracts.  He literally worked day and night for over 2 years getting rejection after rejection making no money until he had his first success.  99% of people would have quit in the first month, let alone be driven enough to go at it over 2 years without success.  That is what it takes.  And that is why people like Jason change their lives reaching levels no one thought possible for them and then help others to do the same.  Be on the lookout for his upcoming episode.

But I think Jason's story illustrates the point well.  How far are you willing to go?  Do you have even an ounce of drive?  I bet you do.  It just may not be for the money side or business side of your life.  It may be that you are driven to be the biggest fan for your favorite sports team and you won't let anyone outshine you.  I think everyone is extremely driven in some area of their life.  The trick is to recognize that.  To recognize that feeling and harness it to use it in other areas of your life like your business or maybe your relationships. 

Whatever it is you want, you must be driven to get it.  Find your drive and use it in all areas of your life.