This is a great question and I look forward to reading others responses.  It is almost too large a question for this section of the web site.

Mind set and education are related in my opinion, they are the foundations to success in any business adventure.  Hard work is essential.  This is a business like any other business.  What is your measure of success?  How high do you set the bar to attain success?  How much time, money and effort are you willing to invest?  Allot of business do not succeed because they do not have a plan or the education (knowledge of the business) to succeed.  It is impossible to sell ice to Eskimos.  Try something else. 

Mindset, Motivation and Methodology and yes of course Relationships.

It begins with mindset as 1. and 3. depend on 2. and any other 4. you can come up with.

I think  Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 .a newbie needs to have the "skill set" before they start, not learn it after they start

1. Ongoing training, mentor ship and tutelage when selecting a brokerage with which to affiliate after obtaining a license to sell real estate. You truly do not know what you do not know until you obtain additional training in the nuts and bolts of the real estate sale business after being licensed.

I think #2 the mindset will be the easier one to obtain for a new person.  Skills take a while to build and relationships can take years to build up to a good level.

I'd also say that #4 could be "Area Knowledge" because with the technical skills, the mindset and the relationships, if you don't know what is going on in the market, or what a house could be worth, you're not going to get that appointment and if you do, you won't be able to compete against someone with their finger on the pulse of what's happening.

1. Skill Set - if they don't have it they need to learn it and learn it well. 

2. Mindset - Hummm ... enter the people factor.  What we believe becomes our reality.  If real estate is supposed to be easy money based upon one's beliefs, this could create some issues and necessary adjustments. 

3. Relationship - it is all about building relationships and trust.  If one does not care about the relationship and only cares about their own self/bottom line ... success may be a challenge. 

4.  That said, I know many without many of the above and they are successful in real estate.  What does that suggest, oh wise one?

It takes all to be successful.

I cannot pick one. 

All of them are great.

1. Skill Set
2. Mindset
3. Relationship

To obtain the required skill set, a newbie must be mentored by a seasoned professional. Not a broker you can call when you have questions, but someone you can shadow for a few weeks.

To be successful you need the proper mindset to be dedicated to building relationships which requires continuous practice to improve your skill set!

I think mindset is the most important route to success. If your mindset is "I will rock at this" you will get the skills needed, and will make the relationships needed, to be a success. 

!. Skill set: work under an experienced and succcessful veteran agent

It takes a mix of all of these, best to surround yourself with winners who are generous with their knowledge and support.

Each item is worth a blog post or two.  A

Inside every person is a skills set and each person wields it in a custom way. Find who you are, what you do or dont do well, experiment and refine. Those skills will do all the work after that plus a bonus: Deep satisfaction too

When I started in radio, we were taught to emulate our favorite talent(s) and as we developed and honed our professional skills, our own 'voice' and personality would shine through and create this brilliant 'entity' and indeed it does.

LA folks will know Mary 'The Burner' Turner who was my 'muse'.

So I'm going with door numero uno, and newbie, research who you are drawn to that kicks ass. What kind of listings do they take, in what neighborhoods. How do they market and advertise and communicate and relate? See if they will talk to you, perhaps over a liquid lunch. See if they will be your friend, and don't abuse them. NO, not a mentor. Your broker is that (and she was the one advising me of what I just said!) But someone you admire with a great style who gets results like you want.

Oops. I think I just covered the other ones. Well. It's about integration and wholeness. Be you, with lovely and amazing influences who in time, may come to you for insights.

There is no shortcut.

Buy the ticket, take the ride, as my beloved Hunter S Thompson said!
Gonzo Real Estate works for me!

Broad talents and knowledge are required to become a top agent.

It's all about desire to develop skills and relationships. Perhaps that is about mindset. I've trained newbies and found more often than not the deep desire is not there... many have entered this profession believing it's an easy way to make money. Then when they see the reality they don't fully commit.