Daydream Believers

Writing down or otherwise recording a dream session is vital. "One of the worst-case scenarios is that you have a great idea and it pops out of your head [before you can record it]," says Barrett. Dreamers should always be prepared: Keep a pad and pen or recorder nearby.

You also must carefully evaluate, through research and analysis, the real value of your ideas. "At some point, you have to step back from the daydream and figure out what's reality," says Barth. "Daydreams aren't going to show you what's viable. That's not their job."

Daydreams can even be dangerous if you fail to distinguish fantasy from reality, adds Barrett. "The risk is expecting too much and taking [your daydreams] too seriously," he says.

Daydream without action limits your ideas to figments of your imagination, reminds Kocina. "That's a step people miss," he says. "Everybody's out there daydreaming something. Not too many people take a pencil and write down how they can accomplish it."

This article was originally published in the May 1999 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Daydream Believers.