In the spring, I attended my sister’s medical school graduation. The commencement speaker, a Holocaust survivor and great philanthropist, shared his incredible life story and some of the key lessons he learned along the way.

At the close of his presentation, he revealed a recipe for prosperity. “Prosperity,” he said, “is the result of four things: patience, perseverance, positivity, and productivity. And that’s it.”

As he closed the commencement ceremony, and wished the medical students well on their journey into residency and their medical practice, I couldn’t help but think of the solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and small business owners I work with, and how this simple recipe might prove to be an incredibly valuable foundation for what is both a trying and exceedingly rewarding path.

1. Patience

Patience is a virtue, certainly. But it’s more than that. It’s a tool. A coping mechanism. Before anything is going our way, it is not. Before things feel like they have fallen into place, they are out of place. Patience is one of the key skills we can employ to help us move forward.

Patience will serve you, above all, in the early days, months, and years of your business endeavor. The first three years, in fact, are said to be the hardest. If you are impatient, or give up too soon, you may well be abandoning the next great thing. In the early stages of launching a business, it is nearly impossible to identify the perfect path or formula. Because it is new (and often times, innovative and unique), there is no set or certain path. Rather, this path is ours to make. In the meantime, it is important to be patient and present and mindful about the process to be sure you are seeing it through from beginning to end.

2. Perseverance

More than any of the other “P’s” on our list, your perseverance goes directly to your character, to who you are. Your resolve and determination, in both trying times and in good times, will speak volumes about the kind of business owner you will be. There is little more to say here, other than to encourage you to actively persevere. To be dedicated. To stick with things. To follow through. The last one standing typically gets what he or she set out for.

3. Positivity

Maintaining a positive attitude will always serve you. In the early days of your business, and in every stage thereafter, even the most difficult ones, harboring negativity will only cause you to project negativity and attractive negative energy.

As a rule, others choose to be around people who are positive, enthusiastic, and uplifting. Prospective clients, business investors, and mentors, specifically, will be more inspired to hire you, work with you, and help you if you are an upbeat, positive person. If you are tempted by a negative or pessimistic attitude, shift your focus to specific things that are positive in your life. Write those things down and think of ways to actively nurture them. Take your mind off of what appears negative. In time, you will see even those things in a positive light.

4. Productivity

Whether your business is booming or slow moving, there is absolutely no substitute for dedicated hard work. As a business owner, you will have to demonstrate to yourself and your clients again and again that, when the circumstances call for it, you are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. On top of your hard work, you will have to demonstrate that you do good quality work and that you get work done quickly. The more productive you are as a small business owner, the more likely it is that you will achieve your business goals and missions.

5. Prosperity

Prosperity, according to the commencement ceremony speaker, is the end goal. The pinnacle. I can’t disagree. We all want to prosper, to be prosperous. But what is most important, here, I believe, is to think deeply about your own definition of prosperity. What does prosperity look like to you? What professional and personal milestones will you have to meet in order to feel prosperous? How will you meet these? When you can answer these questions, with patience, perseverance, positivity, and productivity at your back, no matter where you are in your life, you will be well on your way.

Author's Bio: 

Desiree Moore is the founder and creator of Greenhorn Bold (www.greenhornbold.com). Her mission is to help entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners master speaking and presentation skills, whether in one-on-one conversation, on camera, or in front of live audiences. She works closely with her clients to ensure they connect and communicate with others in ways that truly resonate, and that will attract, influence, and inspire. Desiree can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greenhornbold and Twitter at www.twitter.com/greenhornbold.