What are the five best skills to focus on for a newbie

[Andrew Semler]

There is obviously a lot to learn and master in real estate investing. I was wondering from yall's past experience, what would you say the top 5 skills/habits were that made for your greatest advances early on? To say it another way, what's the 20% that lead to 80% of gained ground? Or "Okay, you're still bumbling and inept at most things, but you'll be okay if you get really good at..." fill in the blank.

Thanks, 

Andrew