Learning to spot potential opportunities is one of the most valuable skills you can acquire.

You won't make money doing what everybody else is doing. If you want an extraordinary lifestyle, you've got to set up a business that gives you the freedom to enjoy life. Money equals freedom, and a regular job will only give you a regular life. Don't settle for less.

Finding the right opportunity means being open minded and paying attention to details. Usually entrepreneurs put together a business plan after they have settled on the type of business they want to start. However, working backwards will give you insight into the important matters that help you identify a good opportunity. Most people hate to put together a business plan because it requires a lot of research, but I've put together a planner you can easily use to gather the information you need to decide if its a good opportunity and you end up with a comprehensive business plan.

Money equals freedom.

Don't waste your time thinking small. Although you may start small, make sure you have a big plan. This will allow you to start setting up the building blocks for when you are ready to grow. If you don't have the infrastructure in place for a larger project, you will have to redo some of the work and risk losing momentum or having to start from scratch.

Be original, show off your style, and tell your story.

Who you are is an important part of what you can offer. When you and your product or service become one, you build a brand unlike any other. Don't follow the trends or the crowds, let the inspiration come from within.