As you may recall from a previous post or two, my serial entrepreneur friend and colleague Kevin Daum is on a quest to turn his next book -- Roar! Get Heard in the Sales and Marketing Jungle -- into a New York Times bestseller. To help keep him motivated, he has gone so far as to tattoo "New York Times Best Seller" on his chest -- backwards, of course, so he can read it in the mirror when he shaves each morning. Kevin is clearly enthusiastic about achieving his goal -- just as he is whenever he dives into some new entrepreneurial venture -- and he's pulling out all the stops to publicize his quest (which he has dubbed the Quest for the Jewish Superbowl Ring). However, based on his most recent blog post, its seems he has come down with a common entrepreneurial affliction: the in-between flu.

I have seen many entrepreneurs who have this same disease. When they kicked off their business, they were the model of enthusiasm and excitement -- ready to take the world by storm. However, after a few months -- or years -- of fighting the very real obstacles in their paths, they begin to wonder if they will ever reach their ultimate goal.

Some do, and some don't.

I believe the one thing that makes the most difference between the entrepreneurs in the former and latter camps is faith. In his latest blog post, Kevin said much the same thing: "Don’t get me wrong; I firmly believe getting 8,000 pre-orders for the book is achievable.  But the numbers confirm my suspicions that this process will not be steady and linear.  It will require a big push up a hill with the hopes of coasting after the crest to success.   This is the point where faith becomes crucial.   I have seen many companies start marketing programs of this type only to give up when the original idea seems insurmountable and just before they were ready to breakthrough."

However, like every great (and successful) entrepreneur, Kevin is certain -- he has faith -- that his efforts will be rewarded and he will attain his goal of a New York Times bestselling book. Says Kevin, "As the target gets closer the tattoo burns on my skin not unlike the famous Harry Potter lightning bolt scar but I continue easily because I am committed to the goal, and the process. Small wins help me manage my impatience. Today I challenged several well connected friends to bring 1500 pre-orders to the table...Everyday I learn a little more, leverage each new opportunity and course correct as needed. People are waking up and taking action. The momentum is building.  The tipping point is out there. Every action taken adds to the leverage necessary to make the Quest a reality."

So, whatever your entrepreneurial quest may be, your success may require that you take a great big leap of faith. Are you ready to make the jump?