The key to financial independence (not talking about "getting rich," although it's just an extension of the same theory really), imo, is getting out there and doing it.

I've known a lot of people with good ideas, but the number of them that get off their asses and do something about it is abysmally small.

It's hard. It not only requires you to believe in yourself, but you have to be willing to put a lot of work into something that, frankly, may not bear any fruit at all. However, if you don't do this, you will never achieve what you desire - unless you like your odds at the lottery.