There are a lot of things that are hard about becoming a full time home business owner. You have to work nights and weekends on your business, in addition to your full time job.
You have to spend time learning how to be successful in the business. And money.
You have to experience failures. Usually, lots of failures.
But the hardest thing about making the transition from the ordinary 9 to 5, to the extraordinary life of working when you want and where you want, is surviving the doubt that everyone has as to whether you can “make it.” Actually, “disbelief” is probably a better characterization than “doubt.”
And unfortunately, the disbelief often applies to your own assessment of your chances too.
It’s not a surprise that most people don’t succeed in a work from home business. In addition to all the time and effort required, you have to endure all the words of wisdom from your world of disbelievers.
Your brother’s story about his friend who tried “one of those things,” and failed miserably. Your best friend’s questions about how much money you’re making online now, and whether that could ever be a full time income.
Your co-workers’ polite smiles when you tell them you’re quitting your job in six months; the next day they’ve signed you up for the company softball team — which starts in nine months.
It’s no wonder you start to doubt yourself. So how do you successfully get through this time?
It’s easy once you’re making six figures a month. What can any of them say about your work from home business then? But until then, there are four things you can do to be a success even though your work from home business isn’t, yet.
First, ignore your family and friends. Ignore everyone that doesn’t give you 100% support and encouragement. They will be left speechless soon enough.
This can be easier said than done, of course. We respect our family and friends. We value their opinions. But they aren’t going to pay our bills. And they aren’t going to go to our jobs for us so that we can spend the day at the park with our kids.
My family and friends never intended to be mean or unsupportive. But after hearing for years about how I was leaving my profession for a new home business, they understandably (I suppose) didn’t believe in me.
They likely felt sorry for me in my delusional state. But my dream was solid. And I wasn’t going to let anyone steal it. Neither should you.
Second, ignore yourself. There will be times, usually in the midst of taking massive action, when you feel great.
You will know that your days of waking up to the alarm clock are rapidly dwindling. But there will also be times of great self-doubt.
What if this doesn’t work for you? What if you haven’t bought the right Ebook yet? What if you don’t have enough time to turn your business into a success? How will you ever get out of debt if your business doesn’t take off?
Ignore these doubts or they will paralyze you.
The way to ignore your own negative talk is through taking action. Do something — anything — that is a step towards making your business more profitable. This would not include buying a new Ebook. Do something to make yourself more profitable, not someone else.
You can also conquer your doubts with positive self-talk. Come up with some easy to repeat, positive affirmations about your business success. It doesn’t matter whether you believe them or not right at the moment. Say them again and again. Put them into your subconscious mind.
Third, live your success. When I started defining myself as who I wanted to be, it changed things for me.
One day I was in a doctor’s office filling out some paperwork. When it asked for my occupation, I listed myself as an independent rep for one of the companies I promote.
I was making very little money doing that at the time. I had another full time business that was my “real” occupation. But the more I tried to live and think as the person I wanted to become, the more I became that person.
Finally, surround yourself with like-minded people. Find people who are on the same path as you. Seek out people who have found the success you are working on.
These can be online and hopefully in person relationships. Remember that you are unique. Most people don’t think like you. Be prepared to put some effort into finding and developing these relationships. Make it a priority to spend your time with these people.
Remember that this is as hard as it gets. Stick to it, and you will start making real money.
You will silence all the critics. You will drastically change your life. Soon, people will be seeking you out as the successful mentor they want to be around.
JENNIFER HERNDON is a work at home mom with over 11 years experience as a home business consultant. Jennifer’s passion is empowering you to achieve success through positive mindset and consistent action. Your first step to growing your business is growing yourself. Start your work today with Jim Rohn’s One Year Success Plan
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Hi, interesting post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for posting. I’ll definitely be coming back to your posts.