There’s no doubt that entrepreneurs are a unique breed. They think differently and approach problems in their own way. Successful entrepreneurs have some common denominators, and recognizing these traits can help you emulate their thinking and achieve your own business goals. Some may say those characteristics make them successful, while others may point out that this can also lead to some difficulties. Regardless of how you look at it, one thing is for sure — entrepreneurs definitely think differently, which sets them apart from the average person.

They say there is no single recipe for success as an entrepreneur, which is true. However, there are a number of traits that are common to many successful business people. If you’re looking to start your own company, or want to take your existing one to the next level, possessing these qualities will give you a head start. Here are six of the most important ones.

1. They are passionate

Passion is an essential part of success in any industry. Period. When you invest your whole self into something that matters to you — whether it’s building out new technology (like Steve Jobs did with Apple) or starting up a successful company from scratch — you don’t seem to feel tired!

They’re willing not just tolerate whatever consequences come along because their passion drives them so deeply. They have their eye on the target and are laser-focused on doing work that matters to them, and that’s why they are more likely to find success.

2. They embrace hard work

The entrepreneur’s journey can be tough, but it is worth the hard work and sacrifices. Why? Because they trust that their passion will lead them down to an exciting and profitable road down the line. The days may feel long at times, but they don’t let it discourage or deter them from reaching their targets

“Winners embrace hard work. They love the discipline of it, the trade-off they’re making to win. Losers, on the other hand, see it as punishment. And that’s the difference.”

– Lou Holtz

3. They are action-takers

What drives the entrepreneur is not a sense of theory but rather an eagerness to act. They are always on their toes, testing out new ideas and concepts for themselves (and potentially others) to gain information about what might work best when it comes down to making something happen.

They are not afraid to dream big and go after what they want to accomplish. Entrepreneurs think outside the box without worrying too much about others’ opinions or approval, and they focus on doing whatever is necessary for success.

4. They’re not afraid of mistakes

Research from the Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development indicates that recovering from failure is the critical characteristic separating successful business owners from those who are not. Steve Jobs, Jack Ma, and other entrepreneurs failed several times before finding great success. Just like every person, entrepreneurs often make mistakes, too, but instead of giving up, they learn from their missteps so that they can continue striving until they get to the finish line.

5. They are the masters of patterns

Entrepreneurs always look for patterns around them. The “cause-and-effect” events help them understand the present situation, help them plan for the future and see opportunities that an average person misses.

They also know how to put these concepts and patterns into action to make innovations and discoveries.

6. They are good listeners

The ability to listen and understand the value from another perspective is essential for entrepreneurs. They know that growth can only happen upon constantly improving themselves, which often means consulting their peers — having two brains than one is better, after all.

Entrepreneurs don’t ignore the comments or criticism of others. They are open to it and will carefully consider what their colleagues and fellow experts have said and take it as an opportunity to try something out.

The Takeaway

These six traits, I believe, are the core of being a good entrepreneur. If you want something done right, you have to do it right. Whether it’s identifying a problem, creating a solution or searching for some answers, entrepreneurs must be willing to come out of their comfort zones and roll up their sleeves to become successful in whatever industry they involve.