How to Deal with Negative People

Ever heard of these comments:

“But, will you really make money, or will it just be an expensive hobby?”

“Here we go again. How many of these are you going to try before you finally give up?”

Unless you’ve kept your mom biz aspirations a secret, you’ve experienced it: those comments and looks about your dream life and business.

“It sounds great. But if you need the extra money, don’t you think it’s time to get a job?”

“What’s wrong with just staying home with the kids and being content with that?”

Managing negativity from people around you must be a part of your mompreneur tool kit.

Negative statements, especially a regular dose of them, poison you and your chances for success. They are the antithesis of being an entrepreneur.

Usually, these comments flow from a poverty mentality. Individuals adopting scarcity believe that there is not enough time, money, and energy to do what you want to do, that it’s impossible.

The practical solution is to stay the same or think small. Change scares them, as does the thought of you changing. They fill their days with complaining, rather than taking the steps they need to take to improve their lives.

As an entrepreneur, a mompreneur especially, you are striving for a world of possibilities where you can have both a great life with awesome connections with family and friends, along with meaningful, profitable work you love.

As long as your dreams stay out of reach, you’re not a threat to the naysayer’s world view. Expect failure if you soak in their negativity.

Here are some tips for managing negativity from others:

Don’t Step in the Doo Doo

Often we initiate the conversations we don’t like. Don’t invite the comments by discussing your business with a negative person. Have several like-minded friends with whom you can celebrate your victories and process your disappointments and opportunities.

Gravitate Towards the Dreamers

Entrepreneurs are an odd bunch. To the regular population we do seem delusional, which is all the more reason to associate with successful entrepreneurs for support, encouragement and guidance. Having a great professional support system of entrepreneurs who are making it will inspire you to think big and take courageous steps.

Practice the 5-1 Rule

For every one negative unavoidable encounter, you need to offset it with five nurturing, loving, edifying experiences. A schedule padded with activities that build you up buffers you against the occasional unpleasant comment.

Memorize Your Mentor

Always have a plan for your business you co-created with a mentor who is several or more steps ahead of you. By working on your next learning steps and acquiring new skills based on solid input from successful people, you gain confidence and reassurance that despite the occasional dips and disappointments, you are on the road to prosperity. This attitude sends those negative comments down your back like oil dripping from a duck.

You will encounter negative comments and unsupportive people. Learning to manage them with minimal impact on your success plan is job #1 of every entrepreneur.

Catholic Mompreneur’s Biz and Life Tip: Be honest about who in your life tries to put a damper on your dreams, and select a strategy to overcome

Copyright 2014 Christina M Weber MS