Here’s a newsflash.

When you work for yourself, there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t get it, thinks you’re daft for trying, doesn’t see it as a “real” job, or, heaven forbid, when you’re in your middle youth, will say, “do you think now is really the right time?”

There’s never a right time, there’s never a wrong time, and until these people have tried working for themselves, they have no idea what it’s about.

20 or so years ago, I was giving a guitar lesson in the front room of our house when there was a knock on the door. I ignored it and concentrated on the lesson and the student, but the knocking grew more persistent. I answered the door to one of my school friends who was home for a few days from university. “Come to the pub”, he said. “Sorry, I’m working, call you later?” He wasn’t happy with this and tried to persuade me to ditch my lesson and go out. I pointed out that was never going to happen; and I’ve never seen him again since that day. What a shame; he was a great example of how people often see the work of the self employed person. Not real and easily disposable.

There are people around me who are well intentioned that would do a really good job in making me question my intentions if I let them. For every “what good is that going to do you?” from a family member, take off 10 points. For every “do you really think that’s a good idea?” knock off another ten. For every, “well done, glad business is going well for you” add ten points. How is your score doing?

Our detractors are often those who we rely on for friendship, family members, and others close to us who know which buttons to press. They don’t hold back in their views on the poor economy and how it will affect us, some even delight in telling us that we’re doomed to failure.

Your family and friends can never and will never value your business the way you do. Don’t let your confidence be eroded and your mojo diluted by listening to people who really do mean well but just end up saying the wrong things. Seek out like minded people and give yourself a kick up the mojo.