What separates guys like Donald Trump, Bill Gates, and Felix Dennis from the rest of us?

It’s not their IQ levels. Each are ridiculously intelligent in their own right, but not one of these guys are rocket scientists by trade.

Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard to focus his efforts on a budding software company called Microsoft.

Felix Dennis got booted from one university and dropped out of another before building a publishing powerhouse off the success of magazines like PC World and Maxim.

Dropping out of college? Getting kicked out? Not exactly a-typical genius behavior.

So if these none of these guys are intellectuals (at least not by traditional measures), what is it that sets them apart from 98% of the population?

In a word: Mindset.

Determination. Chutzpah. Never say die. Call it what you will, but guys like Dennis and Gates refuse to give up on their passions–no matter how many stones are placed in their way.

Developing the right mindset for business ownership is a topic Donald Trump has written about extensively. And for good reason, it might be the most important character trait you need to get rich.

Starting any type business won’t be easy and you shouldn’t do it just for money. You must love what you’re doing. Because it’s this love—or passion–that will get you through the hard times in your business.

In Think Big, by Donald Trump and Bill Zanker, they outline three components of a successful business mindset within the first two chapters. Use this checklist to ensure you’re starting a business you can see through the hard times.

Passion: Owning a business is tough. If you’re not 100% into what you’re doing, you probably won’t see the project through. You’ve really got to believe in what you’re doing.

Doer: A lot of people have good ideas. But without the courage to take action on them, they won’t do you a lick of good.

Kick Ass:  Do you have the energy to kick ass in your business long term? Through thick and through thin? If not, reconsider going into business for yourself.

If you can answer yes to these three questions, you’re on your way to developing a million-dollar mindset that can help you dominate any market. Get out there and crush it.

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