So, you’ve decided to branch out and start your own business. As an independent contractor, commonly called a freelancer, you may suddenly find that you have an awful lot on your plate; without a boss overseeing things, it may be more than you had initially bargained for. Although you will soon enough learn how to budget your time and take care of all of the facets of running a business, one thing can bring you down faster than logistical and practical problems: negative thinking.
Entrepreneurs often encounter negativity from loved ones, friends and acquaintances. It may take different forms and it happens for different reasons: Other people may be jealous of your success, they may genuinely care and are afraid that you will fail, or they may worry that you won’t be able to support your family or meet other obligations. Whatever the reason, it’s important that you don’t allow other people’s negative comments to become your own negative thoughts. Here are a few solutions to the perception that “you’re not good enough.”
- Surround yourself with supportive people. If you have little support in your life, try meeting others through boards such as commonfig. Other options are LinkedIn or Meetup.com, where you might be able to find a local group of fledgling entrepreneurs such as yourself.
- Avoid engaging with those who are unsupportive. If it’s an acquaintance or casual friend, simply change the subject if it comes up. If it’s a close friend or family member, let her know that her comments are hurtful and that you do not wish to hear them. If she doesn’t stop, temporarily suspend contact with her; it may seem harsh, but it will help get the message across.
- Keep records of your accomplishments, as well as of your mistakes. When you look back over the last month or year, you will see how far you’ve come, which is very encouraging. In the same respect, it can help you learn from your mistakes.
- Practice positive thinking. If it is part of your belief system, start the day with prayer or meditation. Focusing on your gratefulness for the things that are going well in your life and letting go of things that you cannot change can give you a more positive outlook overall. You can read more about this at LifeOptimizer.
- Build positive business relationships with others in your field. Use commonfig to find a mentor or to connect with those who have gone before. Go beyond networking and strive to forge long-lasting relationships with others.
- Never stop learning. Read books, journals and websites relating to the subject of your business. Periodically attend continuing education workshops or conventions. Keeping abreast of trends will keep you updated on what’s important in your industry, and will also boost your confidence.
Nobody said it would be easy, but you can succeed as an entrepreneur! It won’t be overnight, but if you put in the time and energy required and keep your outlook positive, you can build a business from the ground up.
How have you overcome negativity as you built up your business?
the positive mental attitude is the key ingredient! always surround yourself with positive people because there negative comments provide you with a reality check