These three attributes are interrelated, and again, they can be learned or improved upon. Certainly, personality effects acquisition of these attributes, as does willingness to exercise them. If you feel no inclination to improve, you may as well give up the idea of doing most investigative work. Investigation hinges on these three traits.

Patience, in particular, tends to be considered a trait you're born with. Investigations must be conducted with patience; investigators must sit in a surveillance vehicle until they get the shot or search through hours of records to find pertinent information. If you're only capable of sitting or searching until you're bored, you'll miss important facts. However, if you desire to find answers, solve cases, and unravel mysteries, you can increase your ability to exercise patience using another attribute — perseverance. Perseverance means that you don't give up when circumstances become difficult or your information source dries up. Desire is the key to patience, and it ignites the slow burn of perseverance. People are willing to persevere for what they really want. Decide whether you really want to do this kind of work; your answer will determine whether you have, or will want to develop, the patience and perseverance necessary to do so.

How does courage fit here? Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to persevere in the face of fear. Emotional courage involves being willing to do the right thing even when challenged by pressure to do otherwise. Courage is not only a willingness to protect yourself and others, it's a willingness to ask the tough question of that high official you're interviewing — even in the face of anxiety.

Courage isn't foolhardiness. It doesn't involve taking unnecessary risks. It has nothing to do with proving that you're unafraid. Certainly, willingness to take necessary risks is an aspect of courage, but the wisdom to know when not to take risks is more important.

It's absolutely necessary for the investigator to be willing to go where others won't and to do what others fear — yet don't feel that you must do it alone. Take backup when you anticipate problems or work in dangerous areas. While it's true that you won't be able to do this job without courage, be smart about it.