Ideas are a dime a dozen. But implementation is one in a million! Of all the successful people I meet in my career, believe it when I say that all of them—yes, all of them—are doers! Be they actors, producers, or business entrepreneurs, they have all taken steps towards achieving the goals that they have set for themselves. In this world where everybody and their sister has a good business idea, only one in a thousand people takes the risk of putting words into action. Here are five pointers to get you going:

For all of the thousands of successful business people I have met during my years as a corporate and entertainment lawyer, the following holds true: NO ONE EVER MADE A MILLION DOLLARS BY THEMSELVES! I don’t care who you are or how unique and wonderful your talent or business idea—you will not become successful without building and surrounding yourself with a good team that will assist you in bringing your goals to fruition.

More importantly, GOOD TEAM MEMBERS WILL MAKE YOU MONEY! Of course, they will also cost you money, but the benefits should outweigh the cost. Sure, I pay my accountant every year, but that’s because he finds ways to reduce my taxes and save me money. And if he wants to continue being my accountant, the money he saves me better exceed his fee! Also, the hours it would take for me to do my own taxes are better spent on my providing services to my own clients. I do what I do, and I let my accountant do what he does—because he’s good at it.

Image is everything! Believe it. You are kidding yourself if you think that people do not judge you based on your appearance. We live in a world where actors are judged as ‘best dressed’ and ‘worst dressed’ by magazines, and where brands such as Hugo Boss, Versace and Dolce and Gabbana are household names. So if you think brains and personality are all that matter—well, you’re just plain wrong.

Unless your job requires you to wear a uniform, the way you dress is an opportunity to differentiate yourself from your peers. It’s human nature for people to surround themselves with like-minded individuals. This philosophy holds true with employers and clients alike. When an opportunity to hire or enlist a team member arises, people tend to first consider the individuals they feel will ‘fit in.’ If you don’t look the part, then kiss that opportunity goodbye.

Passion is the beginning.  Life is a game of chess in which each of us play a role.  Some of us are pawns.  Some are knights.  Regardless of our current station in life, we all share one common drive – to become the King or Queen of our respective domain.  However, success comes with hard work, and proper direction.  In order to become a Power Player, you must have the desire and the determination to succeed.  There are certain characteristics shared by successful people, and if you want to join the club, you got to “Be like Mike!”

As a Corporate and Entertainment Lawyer, I have had the opportunity to represent hundreds of people.  Many of whom are in the public eye, but only a few would meet my definition of a “Power Player”.   A Power Player is an individual that, no matter where they began their journey in life, be it in the “Hood” or Forest Hill, has excelled in their chosen profession.