Some people say you need to be born with certain qualities to become a very successful entrepreneur. Others say if you just work hard at something, you will achieve greatness. I don't think hard work is enough. In the first place, there's no objective measure of hard work. What someone might consider mind-bending another can do with ease. I think timing has a lot to do with it. If you recently invented an 8-track player that will never wear out, costs $2, and can play 500 songs, guess what? You're over a generation too late. You have to be in the right place at the right time, have a team of like minded people all dedicated to the same goal, and enough money to survive your first few crisis, or else nobody will ever hear of you.