As we all know, attitude is everything in any kind of business. There's the old saying "Attitude is altitude." In other words, the more positive your attitude, the higher you'll fly in your investment career. Now, that saying is definitely true, but it's also a little simplistic.

Here's a plain fact: you can't simply think you'll succeed and then do so. Thinking has to be combined with action! You have to get in there and do the everyday spadework that finds and closes deals.

So, a great attitude and the ability to take action are two primary characteristics of successful real estate investors. However, there are some additional characteristics you should know about. A few, lucky investor-entrepreneurs are born with them. Most of us, however, aren't. The good news is that we can learn them! It just takes study, practice and application.

So, my recommendation is to study the essential characteristics I explain below and then work hard to integrate them into personality. It can be done! I know, I did it!

Characteristic 1: The Entrepreneurial Spirit Whether in real estate or other businesses, entrepreneurs are essentially opportunity-seekers with an independent streak. They have a great combination of vision and common sense. Through research and hard work, they seek out niches in the market that no one else has exploited (vision). They then do the numbers on those niches. If the numbers are good (common sense), they exploit that niche; if not, they move on. They favor the KISS principle—keep it simple, stupid!

Characteristic 2: The Planning Spirit Successful real estate investors are planners to the core; they detest a "shotgun" approach to investments, knowing it will spread their resources too thin and not bring in really profitable deals. They possess the "Have a plan and work it!" mentality. In other words, once they've set a goal, they do the day-to-day work of setting objectives to carry out those goals. They plan on a daily basis to keep their focus on achieving their long-term goals. They never get distracted by daily events or people that get in the way of achievement of their goals.

Characteristic 3: The Networking Spirit Successful investors know in their bones that they live or die on the information they get and the contacts they make within a local community. So, they're careful to cultivate a reliable network from the start to the end of their investment careers.

Successful investors know that they have to give back to the network of contacts and fellow investors. It's not always possible, but many investors know that the quickest and most effective way to success is by finding a mentor who can teach them the ropes.

They also know that they have to give in return to their mentors. It's not a one-way street where you take and give nothing in return. They show mentors (and others) their appreciation through tips, leads, gift certificates, birthday cards, theater tickets, etc. Small personal gifts show that they care and are thinking of the mentor.

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