The athlete. The entrepreneur. The inventor. Do they have that special "X" factor?

You know it when you see it. The athlete who always comes through in the clutch. The entrepreneur who continually proves people wrong. The inventor who creates something that changes the world. All of them have that special something. You can't put your finger on it, but somehow you just know... they've got the X factor.

So what is it that gives people that special something?

In interviews with Olympic gold medalists, reporters found that prior to each event the athletes would visualize themselves winning. Before the event even began, all throughout training they would visualize themselves doing whatever it took to clinch the gold. They had vision, passion and pure determination.

So when I am frequently asked, "Did you ever imagine that brass would be where it is today?" my answer is "Yes." For as long as I can remember I have dreamed and pictured being in this position and environment.

Since people expect to hear, "No, I never imagined this," they aren't sure how to respond. People may not realize that amazing things don't just happen. For every "overnight" success were months, years or even decades of hard work and sacrifice.

Some people are fortunate enough to know what they are passionate about at a young age. Think about it. Michael Dell and Bill Gates created Dell and Microsoft at 19 and 21. Sean Fanning created Napster at 19. Jann Wenner started Rolling Stone magazine at age 21. LeBron James received over $90 million in contracts at 18. Christopher Portman ran for mayor, taking office at age 19. Oprah Winfrey began her broadcasting career at 17. Ryan Patterson won Time magazine's inventor of the year at age 19. Chris Lahiji became the youngest mutual fund manager in the country at age 20. Michael Phelps won 8 medals in the last Olympics and was 19.

These individuals are entrepreneurs, music lovers, philanthropists, politicians, athletes, publishers, programmers, inventors and investors from different backgrounds, upbringings, economic statuses, ethnicities and in different generational periods. Bill Gates and LeBron James probably don't have a lot in common when it comes to favorite hangouts and music. However, they both have that something special, that X factor, which sets them apart and compels them to do amazing things.

For big things to happen, you need big thinkers behind them. Big thinkers imagine things that most consider impossible. Did I ever imagine brass would be where it is today? Yes, absolutely.

Go out and do something. Find your X factor. Start a business, write a book, become a mayor or start a charity. Do something amazing. Besides, when was the last time normal made interesting conversation at a party, right?

Bryan Sims, CEO