1 characteristic separates the hopeful from the heartbroken

1 characteristic separates the hopeful from the heartbroken1 characteristic separates the hopeful from the heartbrokenLet me tell you about these two mysterious characters standing next to me with our backs to the Thames river.It started May of 2016 - I received a weird tweet from some random English guy. He wanted to work on a book together.I ignore the message.Lets work on a book together typically means thisI have no experience, no expertise, and no following, but Id like you to offer me the platform you worked so hard to build.3 weeks later, the guy followed up. HE FOLLOWED UP. I agreed to a call. The guys name is is Ash Ali (in the middle of the pic). Right after his wife gave birth to his first daughter, Ash quit his job to join a startup with no profit, just potential. Later, that company went public for 1.5 1000000000000 pounds (yes, billion). Weve been working together ever since.In a world of infinite distraction, Ash worked hard to get my attention.Now, he and I are turni ng a vision of his into a reality.Hustle is a good thing, but thats not where this post is going.- - - Far left in the picture is Hasan Kubba. Hasan is a search engine optimization expert, entrepreneur, and investor. A few years into his successful career as a digital marketer, Has saw a poster which caught his eyeDigital Marketing Network Night - Learn new trends. Meet new friends.That night, he met Ash. The two of them connected that night - instant kindred spirits. Neither of them had attended a networking event before. I also dont think they have been to one since.Now, they are building a training company together counseling young entrepreneurs.Serendipity is a good thing, but thats also not where this post is going.Its not going to either of those places because I havent talked much about the third guy in this picture - me.Me, who wanted to publish a book so badly at age 19.Me, who finished writing assignments for my cousins and girlfriend.Me, who spent hours for one sente nce to put in a story which paid me $7.50.Me, who wrote 3 fiction novels to people who will never read them.Me, who became a technical writer because it sounded fun (it wasnt).Me, who finally realized thisAnything worth having or becoming takes patience.Ash and I worked for his book for the better part of a year. Then we found Has. Then we worked ANOTHER YEAR. Then we found people interest in the book. Then we met in person for the first time.In my experience, you dont rich quickly. You dont get fame quickly. You dont get deep relationships quickly. Instead, you follow the processWork - Improve - Wait.And then two years later, you may find yourself in a country youve never been to, arm in arm with people youve just met, chatting like old friends.Keep going. Keep believing. Keep dreaming.Much love as always ?- Todd BThisarticlefirst appeared on Medium.