For many years I felt that if you scratched any American you scratched an entrepreneur. This is the country where entrepreneurship is most possible and apparently every citizen has an idea with commercial potential. Unfortunately, over time, I realized that I was wrong. If you scratch most Americans, chances are you’re 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 outcomes separates them from the dreamer 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 the make-up of him. A few don’t and the dreamer folds up his tent. The successful entrepreneur recognizes no as an obstacle, not as a closer deal. The opportunity to overcome the objection represented by the word is not an absolute necessity for any individual seeking success as an entrepreneur.

Dreamers take shortcuts. Dreamers guess. Dreamers put off tedious research. Dreamers expect someone else to do the work for them. Dreamers cannot be successful. And sadly, many perfectly wonderful business opportunities are lost due to this dreamscape approach.

Successful entrepreneurs are always doers! They overcome the seemingly endless obstacles that stand in their way. The road to success has many curves and rarely takes a linear approach. Doers find a way to respond to each obstacle and move forward in the process. Makers aren’t afraid of criticism, but they see this as an opportunity to improve their business model. The makers are realistic, no fantasies are allowed.

Most importantly, 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 in jobs they don’t really enjoy? They need income, of course. Most of us have some 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 usually it doesn’t happen. They are stuck and will stay that way, usually. They often dream of the great idea of ​​a get-rich-quick widget that will change the course of their empty life. But it’s just a dream.

Many entrepreneurs I have 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 major lifestyle change and adjustment. The opportunity presented by modern American capitalism is there for any entrepreneur to grab by the throat and latch onto for an incredible ride.

I watch hundreds of business presentations every year. Less than one percent will ever make it to market. And yet, about 30% of the submissions we reviewed have some level of commercial potential, sometimes extremely high potential. It’s sad to see so many dreamers who lack the cocktail of traits and qualities necessary for successful results. This is a great loss for the dreamer, our economy, and society in general, as many of these ideas have real merit and utility.

After many years of teaching, coaching, and advising would-be entrepreneurs, I can instinctively judge the potentially successful person. There is always an air of passion for the opportunity, knowledge of the competition, belief in the product and in themselves. This is obvious whether the initial meeting is in person, by phone, or by email.

The dreamer invariably appears as a tire knocker. Waiting, unsure, cloying in a way that underscores the shortcuts they’ve taken to approach an extremely competitive business market. “Let’s make a million dollars together” is an input we get often. Another losing approach, “I don’t know the costs (or the competition, or the target demographic, etc.). I just know we’re going to make millions on this, my Aunt Hattie loves it.” There are many more similar vacant filings accompanying interesting filings. The predictable result is that the opportunity is immediately torpedoed.

Makers have an air of strength. They don’t kick tires, but they seem ready to fix the whole car. They have answers to most questions and are open to advice. They are realistic and flexible. Dreamers often claim that they will sell their project for a million dollars. Makers recognize that a good deal is a deal in which all parties are fairly compensated. Makers will go to great lengths to make a deal happen.

It’s a shame that success as an entrepreneur can’t be taught or bought. Can not! Personal makeup, energy, positive attitude and drive are priceless to the public. People are either achievement-driven or content to be average, or less. Entrepreneurs have the essential elements necessary for success built into their being. I don’t know 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 on the commercial market. These creators are smart to seek professional assistance to secure 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.

Dreamers, unfortunately, are doomed to fail. They will waste time, make mistakes, lose money, and ultimately psychologically implode when inevitable failure is near.