The 2008 Summer Olympics should be required viewing for all aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs. [1] The sheer willpower exhibited by the athletes as they stretched themselves beyond belief was awe-inspiring.

Michael Phelps, with a new record 8 Gold Medals in a single Olympics, was the epitome of an athlete driven to win as he broke Mark Spitz 1972 record of 7. Competing in his third Summer Olympics, Phelps broke three individual world records and participated in breaking three team world records. At age 23, Phelps has been swimming competitively for 16 years.

In business, Thomas Edison remains one of the great examples of the desire to succeed. By his own account, he tested over 10,000 different materials and combinations before finally hitting upon the formula for the incandescent light bulb.

Phelps and Edison are both great examples of the burning desire necessary to achieve great success.