For many years I felt that if you scratched any American, you were scratching an entrepreneur. This is the country where business activity is most possible and apparently every citizen has an idea with commercial potential. Sadly, over time, I realized that I was wrong. If you scratch most Americans, you are most likely scratching a dreamer.
The difference between a dreamer and a doer is profound. Successful entrepreneurs may have initially dreamed of success, but they won’t stop there. The drive to perform the tasks necessary to ensure successful results separates them from the dreamy class, which includes most people. Success is a goal that requires drive, determination, courage, bravery, planning, discipline, sacrifice, and passion. It’s not easy, or everyone would be successful.
What makes one opportunity succeed while another, even more promising idea, fails? It always comes down to the individual and their composition. A few don’t and the dreamer folds his tent. The successful entrepreneur recognizes that he is not an obstacle, not a closer deal. The opportunity to overcome the objection that the word represents is not an absolute necessity for any individual seeking success as an entrepreneur.
Dreamers take shortcuts. Dreamers make guesses. Dreamers put off tedious research. Dreamers wait for someone else to do the work for them. Dreamers cannot succeed. And sadly, many perfectly wonderful business opportunities are lost due to this dreamy landscape approach.
Successful entrepreneurs are always entrepreneurs! They overcome the seemingly endless obstacles that stand in their way. The road to success is winding, and a linear approach is rarely taken. The doers find a way to respond to each obstacle and move forward in the process. Entrepreneurs are not afraid of criticism, but they see this as an opportunity to improve their business model. The makers are realistic, no fantasies allowed.
Most importantly, the doers are positive realists. Most dreamers are negative. Dreamers see obstacles as absolute barriers. The doers find a way, trying any available legal strategy to achieve success.
Why do most people work jobs they don’t really enjoy? They need income, of course. Most of us have a certain level of work ethic. However, the work itself is often not rewarding. Many employees feel underpaid, undervalued, unchallenged. They want to do more, be more valuable, and contribute more. But it usually doesn’t happen. They are stuck and will stay that way, usually. Often they dream of the great idea of a get rich quick widget that will change the course of their empty life. But it is only a dream.
Many entrepreneurs I’ve worked with came from dead-end jobs. However, they possessed the drive and desire to change the course of their lives for the better. Your widget was a vehicle for a great lifestyle change and adjustment. The opportunity presented by modern American capitalism is available for any businessman to grab by the neck and hang on to an incredible journey.
I watch hundreds of business presentations every year. Less than one percent will hit the market. And yet about 30% of the submissions we review have some level of commercial potential, sometimes excessively high potential. It is sad to see so many dreamers lacking the cocktail of traits and qualities necessary for successful results. This is a great loss to the dreamer, our economy, and society in general, as many of these ideas have real merit and utility.
After many years of teaching, mentoring, and mentoring future entrepreneurs, I can instinctively judge the potentially successful person. There is always an air of passion for the opportunity, knowledge of the competition, faith in the product and in themselves. This is obvious whether the initial meeting is in person, by phone, or by email.
The dreamer invariably presents himself as a tire kicker. Waiting, unsure, cloying in a way that underscores the shortcuts they have taken to approach an extremely competitive commercial market. “Let’s make a million dollars together” is an entry we get often. Another loser approach, “I don’t know the costs (or the competition, or the target demographic, etc.). I just know that we will make millions from this, my Aunt Hattie loves it.” There are many more similar empty introductions that accompany otherwise interesting presentations. The predictable result is that the opportunity is immediately torpedoed.
Entrepreneurs have an air of strength. They don’t kick tires, but they seem ready to repair the whole car. They have answers to most questions and are open to coaching. They are realistic and flexible. Dreamers often claim that they will sell their project for a million dollars. The doers recognize that a good deal is a deal in which all parties are fairly compensated. The doers will do everything within reason to strike a deal.
It’s a shame that success as an entrepreneur cannot be taught or bought. Can not! Personal makeup, energy, positive attitude, and drive are priceless. People are either achievement-driven or content to be average or less. Entrepreneurs have the essential elements necessary for success built into their being. It is unknown why, I only know when I see it.
Many inventors acknowledge that they are creative, not entrepreneurial. They have the ability to create, design, or invent, but not the ability to project their inventions onto the commercial market. These creators are smart to seek professional assistance to secure the placement or sale of their work. As Dirty Harry said, “A man has to know his limitations.” Not everyone can be a successful entrepreneur, but there are alternative ways to approach the market. This approach is practical for many creative people.
Unfortunately, dreamers are doomed to fail. They will waste time, they will make mistakes, they will lose money, and ultimately they will make a psychological implosion as the inevitable failure approaches.
