I think one of the traits is to be relentlessly going after results, getting stuff done. Result is what matters. And since results are not guaranteed, the best one could do is to religiously maximize his/her probably for success by doing/learning whatever is needed (within legal and moral bounds).
1) Be smart and/or learn a lot so you have a high multiplier on your productivity
2) "You need to be in a position where your performance can be measured ... And you have to have leverage, in the sense that the decisions you make have a big effect." Or in other words start your company or join a small startup producing things people want.
3) Take a lot of actions (with your high multiplier) in working on your company. "Imagine the stress of working for the Post Office for fifty years. In a startup you compress all this stress into three or four years."
4) Enjoy the show after you're done and while at it. (I added that one.)
This was about doing it by creating things. "There are plenty of other ways to get money, including chance, speculation, marriage, inheritance, theft, extortion, fraud, monopoly, graft, lobbying, counterfeiting, and prospecting. Most of the greatest fortunes have probably involved several of these."
From Paul Graham's wealth creation article http://www.paulgraham.com/wealth.html
1) Be smart and/or learn a lot so you have a high multiplier on your productivity
2) "You need to be in a position where your performance can be measured ... And you have to have leverage, in the sense that the decisions you make have a big effect." Or in other words start your company or join a small startup producing things people want.
3) Take a lot of actions (with your high multiplier) in working on your company. "Imagine the stress of working for the Post Office for fifty years. In a startup you compress all this stress into three or four years."
4) Enjoy the show after you're done and while at it. (I added that one.)
This was about doing it by creating things. "There are plenty of other ways to get money, including chance, speculation, marriage, inheritance, theft, extortion, fraud, monopoly, graft, lobbying, counterfeiting, and prospecting. Most of the greatest fortunes have probably involved several of these."