As you’re working hard on your dream life people will come out of the woodwork telling you it’s risky, you’re not talented enough, you won’t make it and all kind of ‘negative nancy’ things. There is only one thing you can do: stay as far away from them as possible.
We want all our friends and family to support what we do but sadly many of them won’t. It’s not that they don’t love us or want us to be happy, it’s just that they don’t understand why you would want to leave something safe and comfortable. All they hear is that 8 out of 10 businesses fail and automatically think you’re going to be one.
They also don’t understand why you would want to work really hard on something that doesn’t have a guarantee. Why give up a “secure” paycheck with benefits?
Another common reason is that they are jealous of you taking charge of your destiny. They’re happy to stay in the status quo and will do everything they can to keep you there.
I know you can’t always avoid the ‘negative nancies’, especially if it’s family, but what you can do is to avoid any mention about what you’re doing. Talk about the weather, the latest game, news or other. When they ask how things are going just say ‘good.’ You can try to explain what you’re doing and hope to get support until the moon turns blue but you’re wasting your energy.
Spend your energy on seeking out like minded people instead. You’ll find them in various entrepreneurial and business groups on MeetUp, local business networks and even online. Get to know successful business owners and learn from them. Join a mastermind group. Listen to podcasts and read books. Surround yourself with information and people that can help you. Learn from those that are ahead of you. Get a mentor. Hire a coach.
Whatever you do…don’t try to convince the ‘negative nancies’ that life outside the box is more fun. They are too scared to see you succeed because when you do they will have to look at their own boring lives and maybe first then will they realize life is too short to live someone else’s dream.
Believe in yourself. Don’t let ‘negative nancies’ steal your chance of living your dream.
How do you deal with ‘negative nancies’ in your life? Share in the comments below.
Great post, Camilla. Thanks for the encouragement. It is worth going to drastic measures, as I have, to keep the “negative nancies” from ruining your success story.
There is a post on WingsToSuccess which anyone can find by Googling this phrase: “The Secret Enemies of Your Success” where the fascinating story of The Crabs and The Bucket is re-told. Worth checking out, if I do say so myself!
Rick Siderfin recently posted…“Count Me In.” (The Future of Leadership)
Thanks Rick! It’s not always easy to keep them at bay but it’s a must!
It is amazing how those closest to us can be the ones that shoot us down. There is no such thing as a secure paycheck these days as the economy is extremely unstable. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement!
Stephanie recently posted…Redefining Success
But they are also the first ones to come running when things are going well asking us how we did it and if we can teach them. Just gotta avoid having to say “told you so” 🙂 Ha! There’s definitely no such thing as secure paycheck. By 2020 it’s estimated that 40-50% of current corporate positions will be converted to 1099’s from W2’s. Whether you want it or not, being your own boss is in the future for many.