Being a successful financial advisor is one of the greatest jobs you could ever imagine. You are your own boss. You can tailor the job to your interests. You can make a lot of money. You can see the results of your work almost immediately. If you structure your business correctly, you can control your work schedule to achieve a balanced lifestyle. And the financial marketplace is constantly changing, so no matter how long you work as a financial advisor, the job is never boring. However, becoming a successful financial advisor is tough. Most new financial advisors will either give up or be terminated within their first two or three years in business. Some will find a way to survive but always seem to struggle. However, some will succeed beyond their wildest dreams. Luck has something to do with success, but less than we want to admit. I will never forget the words of my first branch manager. He said, "Lucky things will happen, but you have to be around long enough for them...