There are so many times through my adventures as an entrepreneur and business owner when I’ve come home to tell my wife that it was time to go on the Top Ramen Diet.

So much uncertainty. So many risks taken. So many failed ideas. So many “oh shit” moments.

And what does my spouse say?

“Okay.”

She doesn’t start with “How could this happen?” or list a number of things I’m doing wrong. (There is plenty she could list.)

She just says “okay,” like it’s no big deal. When it is a big deal.

A Top Ramen Diet means we stop spending, we start living a different life. Everyone’s plans and priorities are put on hold, including hers.

I got a true taste of being an entrepreneur a few years after we got married. Once that happened, I knew I couldn’t work for someone else ever again, which meant no stable, predictable income from the man she married.

Since then it’s been a roller coaster of uncertainty. Enough to break many relationships.

Somehow, through all the ups and downs of the 20 years we’ve been together, one thing has been consistent. Amanda’s unwavering support of, and patience with, me.

She’s my X-Factor. An immeasurable root cause of my current and future successes.

I don’t know where I would be without her.

I do know, however, that when I have her by my side, I’m headed in the right direction.

Every great entrepreneur I’ve studied has had an X-Factor. Whether it was growing up in extreme poverty or having absent or abusive parents and vowing to overcome that childhood. Others had extremely supportive parents, a relative or a coach who gave them the confidence and drive to achieve great things.

The X-Factor is an underrated component of success. Some people reference and use their X-Factor as a crutch. Others use it as their fuel.

What is your X-Factor? What fuels you?

“Live for something that’s bigger than you are.”

– Chris Anderson, curator of the TED Conference

Mike Turner

Co-Founder: Impact Club Boise
Host: Idaho Speakeasy
Collaborator: Value Drive Approach
Founder: Front Street Brokers
Author: Agent Entrepreneurs
Voice: 208-340-8399