By: Bryan Lovgren

Success is something that all businesses wish to attain. Success isn’t meant to be had for free and it’s the price that makes it so special. Not all businesses are meant to become empires, otherwise every business who wanted it would have it. It’s exclusive to a small portion of businesses who are willing to do what no one else is willing to do, see what no one else is willing to see, and give what no one else is willing to give.

Turning a business into an empire isn’t about busy ‘busy’ — it’s about the traits and character behind the machine. Does your company have what it takes to become an empire? Let’s look at 6 traits that help businesses become empires.

1. Initiative. Go get what you want, period. Limitations only exist in your mind and serve as a hindrance to success. Find ways to make things work without having to rely on the skills and work of others. Those who take initiative never allow themselves to be victims to circumstance.

“Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader. Don’t fall victim to what I call the ready-aim-aim-aim-aim syndrome. You must be willing to fire.” — T. Boone Pickens

2. Vision. Step back and take a look at yourself, your position, and the direction of the company. Vision has to do with the present mixing with the future. Where will you be and more importantly how will you get there? Vision is the starting point of arrival.

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.” — Robert Fritz

3. Commitment. You know where you’re going, now fight to get there. Everyday, every minute, and every moment make it count. There will be hard days that will test your resolve to get where you’re going. Conversely there will be easy days that will place you in a false place of contentment. Beware of both.

“Strategy is all about commitment. If what you’re doing isn’t irrevocable, then you don’t have a strategy — because anyone can do it… I’ve always wanted to treat life like I was an invading army and there was no turning back. -Troy Tyler

4. Consistency. Put systems in place to help carry the burden of consistency. Let’s face it; consistency is difficult in any challenging circumstance. Discipline will help lift some of the weight on your shoulders to keep moving forward.

“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” -Vince Lombardi

5. Work. Roll your sleeves up and put your shoulder to the wheel. Don’t kid yourself by believing success comes easily. You’ve got to be willing to do things others aren’t. Most people just want to come in for the game. If you want success you’ve got to put in the work before, during, and after the game.

Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.” -Thomas A. Edison

6. Humility. You’re going to succeed and fail, that’s just a fact of life. During periods of success remember what got your there and continue to implement those same factors. During periods of failure, take time to reflect upon your weaknesses and how to make them strengths. You can’t have success without failure and vice versa.

“Humility leads to strength and not to weakness. It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.” —John McCloy

Author Bio: Bryan Lovgren is the founder of Pinetop Group a digital marketing agency that specializes in content and video marketing.