Dealing with friends and family that are particularly close to you, that are naysayers or not supporting you when you need it the most, can be extremely stressful, so let’s talk about it. 

When dealing with naysayers there will always be moments where you might be a bit more fragile, especially when your business is going through a tough time or things are not exactly how you want them to be. Those are the moments when you are most vulnerable and the negative comments can feel even more amplified and be extremely damaging.

The truth is – not everyone is going to understand your journey as an entrepreneur. 

Most of the time, people that are the closest to us and want the best for us can be the most critical of our decisions. Tough love, as some would say. Or maybe, they are just trying to protect us. While they probably mean well, it’s important for you to feel confident in your decisions and understand that business ebbs and flows – no matter how much someone is trying to convince you otherwise. 

So what can you do to protect yourself a little, especially when you’re feeling more vulnerable? 

Set boundaries with the people that are the closest to you. 

Honestly, they don’t need to know everything. If you’re sharing something with them, and they’re always questioning you, without being productive or supportive, then you don’t need their advice on this. If they’re not supportive of your vision or where you want to go because they don’t understand or don’t have a successful experience of what you want to achieve, then it’s okay to not get into the nitty-gritty details of what you’re doing. 

There are better support systems for business owners, where the advice is productive to your growth and vision. 

A business community or surrounding yourself with a few biz-buddies might be a better option. Of course, you can keep a great relationship with your friends and family without having to talk to them about your business. 

By carefully choosing who offers you support and who’s in your corner, you will also be able to eventually receive advice that’s relevant and helpful. 

So trust me when I say, you don’t need to entertain or fight the naysayers – it’s okay to be selective about who you talk to about your business dreams, goals, visions, and the things you’re going through. 

And hey – if you’re looking for a supportive community for your work, GTeX might be the best place for you.