Persist! Joe Kraus says, "Persistence is the number one reason for our success."
You've got to persist through failure. You've got to persist through crap!
Which of course means "Criticism, Rejection, Assholes and Pressure."
So, the answer to this question is simple: Pay 4,000 bucks and come to TED.
Or failing that, do the eight things -- and trust me, these are the big eight things that lead to success.
Thank you TEDsters for all your interviews!