High Hopes The business will grow. Clients will come. Customers will buy. And if you think we're wrong, maybe you should think differently.

Optimism's relationship with entrepreneurship is a many-splendored thing. It's what goads the initial con-cept out of your brain and launches it into orbit. Now, along with the scads of research proving optimism contributes significantly to business success, comes the revelation that such tendencies can be learned-a blessing for potential entrepreneurs whose dreams are threatened by their skepticism.

"Optimism is solely a habit," explains Michael Mercer, business psychologist and co-author of Spontaneous Optimism (Castlegate Publishing). "It's not genetic and it's not something you breathe in the air."

How does optimism play into the life of an entrepreneur? "If you think something won't work for your business, you need to automatically focus on the solution," Mercer says. "Optimistic entrepreneurs lay out clear goals for how they want their businesses to succeed, make realistic timetables and spend 50 percent or more of their time focused on achieving those goals."

Keep in mind, however, that a touch of pessimism isn't always bad, and optimism isn't always the golden key to success. The true goal? To be realistic, something that, with focus and effort, both pessimists and optimists can manage. Jack Wang, 30, chief strategist and co-founder of San Carlos, California-based Trancos, a multilingual online entertainment site, agrees that "if anything, a successful entrepreneur is just very realistic. As an entrepreneur, I'm an optimist to an extent. I'm optimistic about my business and my product. But it's very limiting to assume that success only comes from being an optimist. In business, you have every right to be cynical, too."

Then again, it's hard to tell which comes first: the attitude or the reality. Says Mercer, "If you expect to develop a successful business, you're likely to be successful. If you think you're going to fall flat on your face, you probably will."

Signs You're An Optimistic

1. You have a clear vision of what you want toachieve.

2. You spend more than 50 percent of your time workingtoward achieving that vision.

3. You take 100 percent responsibility for all yoursuccesses and failures. (Pessimists, on the other hand, tend toblame other people.)

4. You avoid emotional vampires; i.e., people who try tosuck the good feelings out of you.

5. You ooze confidence and have a "can do"attitude.

Wow, What A Difference!

We asked a self-proclaimed optimistic entrepreneur and aself-proclaimed pessimistic entrepreneur the same questions. Canyou tell which glass is half empty and which is half full?

What do you expect from your employees?

Mila Radulovic: "Incentive, initiative andcamaraderie rather than competition," says the founder of NewYork City-based Fashion Icon Inc., an Internet content syndicationfirm. "Productivity and clear thinking happen naturally withenough sleep, good food and exercise. I encourage employees to swimor run during lunch breaks. It helps keep them centered and happy,which helps keep senseless mistakes to a minimum."

Shannon Entin: "I expect my employees to give metheir best, of course," says the 31-year-old publisher andeditor of Lambertville, New Jersey-based online fitness resource,FitnessLink.com. "I expect their work to be accurate anddelivered on time. I also expect things to 'pop up' thatwill inevitably slow me down-like someone getting ill or a writernot making a deadline. That way, if everything goes smoothly, Ifeel like it's a bonus."

What are your growth expectations?

Radulovic: "Incredibly massive. I have such a strongbelief in Fashion Icon's self-empowering messages and ensuingproduct line that I see multiple spinoffs on a worldwide level.There's no doubt in my mind we'll be on equal footing withMartha Stewart one day."

Entin: "I'd be happy to work out of my home forthe rest of my life while the company grows around me. I expect itto continue growing exponentially, but I want to hire others. Anyentrepreneur, no matter how realistic or even pessimistic, mustbelieve in success, or the company is doomed to fail."

What are your views on competition?

Radulovic: "If your business is clear, centered andinternalized, competition shouldn't even appear on your thoughtscreen. Competition is a mirage to me; I seldom qualify itsexistence. If I did, I'd be giving away my power. Every companyhas a unique path and an equally individual timeline-my job is tostay focused on mine. No two people think exactly alike; therefore,no one can really fulfill my vision as I can."

Entin: "I find competition motivating, but,emotionally, it's daunting. I've been known to complainabout having an idea first, but not having the resources. Isometimes feel we can't compete because of the dollar issue,but then another article comes out heaping praise on us or anotherviewer thanks me for helping him or her get in shape and I feelreassured."

What's your business motto?

Radulovic: "Since the age of 2, I grew up hearing myYugoslavian father's motto: 'Napred nasi,' whichmeans 'Never give up.' By simply not giving up, you cando anything. I did update the motto in the '90s to 'I cando anything,' with reminders strategically placed in spots likenotebooks, drawing boards, fax machines and computerscreens."

Entin: "Life's too short to spend time doingthings that don't make you happy. You have to pour all of yourenergy into creating the business and the life you dreamof."

Think Happy Thoughts

1. Change your body language. Use straight posture, takebigger steps and walk faster. "You need to straighten out yourbody before you straighten out your head," says Mercer.

2. Think of solutions, not problems. Focus on what youwant, not on what you don't. Focus on how you want to grow yourbusiness, not on how you might fail. "You can only have onethought in your head at a time," says Mercer. "So makesure that one thought zooms in on solutions and what you want inyour life."

3. Speak in a cheerful voice. People feel betteremotionally when they use a sparkling tone.

4. Use upbeat words; avoid upsetting words. Instead ofsaying "I'm overworked," say "I'mambitious." When you feel "tired," sayyou're "recharging." Don't use the word"hyper"; replace it with "I'm veryalert."

5. Avoid emotional vampires. "It's hard to stoppeople from stepping on you if you keep lying down under theirfeet," says Mercer. "If entrepreneurs feel someone istrying to suck the enthusiasm out of them, they have to realizethey're letting them do it."

6. Stop using the words "try" and"but." According to Mercer, research proves thatunderachievers use those words eight times a day, while highachievers use them only once a day.

7. Be an exemplary role model for everyone round you.How? Follow the first six tips and you're well on your way.

Contact Sources

• Fashion Icon Inc., (212)613-3141, www.fashion-icon.com
  
• Trancos, www.trancos.com