I’m an unabashed optimist. I think a lot of entrepreneurs are – you almost have to be – given in business there can be so much hardship, so many unexpected elements and challenges.

Just the other day, I was coaching a client who, too, is a great visionary. For both of us, nothing is impossible. We believe that we can make anything happen.

That’s the key, though – we still have to MAKE it happen. Mere confidence and positivity on its own doesn’t guarantee success.

That’s why research indicates that optimism is a common thread that binds many entrepreneurs. But we all know people who (at least started out) optimistic, but didn’t necessarily get there … You still have to put in the sweat equity, along with the investment of that idealism and vision.

In fact, if you think that success will come easily, I can guarantee then that you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Yes. There are the YouTube performers turned international superstar sensations. Or the start-ups sold for nine figures.

But for every one of those “overnight” successes, I can show you hundreds or thousands of examples of how positive belief, coupled with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, resulted in sound financials and – something that the overnights may never accrue – deep, true gratification of knowing that, yes, you believed in yourself AND you also have the satisfaction of knowing you put in the hard work to achieve that goal.

What this all boils down to is you can be optimistic, even perhaps idealistic, and pragmatic all at once. In fact, that’s what you have to be – tempering your confidence and enthusiasm with down-to-earth, no-nonsense realism.

So, go ahead! Visualize that end result. It doesn’t hurt to dream big. Just don’t forget to envision the steps to get there.