Will and desire alone do not ensure success. I have an intense desire to be a billionaire. I bet you do too. However, no matter how many lottery tickets I purchase and scratch, I don’t see it happening anytime soon. I can set goals and plan to buy a ticket every week, but my chance of hitting a big jackpot remains unchanged. We need a path with much better odds.

The good news is we have examples, role models, and breadcrumbs to follow. The bad news is, it requires work. You must commit to completing what others refuse to attempt. Don’t expect encouragement from friends or family, pats on the back, or high-fives and attaboys. No one will be there as you toil in the darkness. There will be stages in the process you will hate. If you are lucky, you will find a trailblazer who validates your journey.

The…