“When are you going to get a real job…?”
Launching and running a freelance business is challenging at the best of times.
But it becomes exponentially more challenging when you don’t have the support of your friends and family.
Unfortunately, this is an all too common scenario.
I was lucky. My wife was extremely supportive of me as I transitioned from a “regular” job to fulltime freelancing. It wasn’t always easy, but she always cheered me on.
My extended family was also supportive. Entrepreneurship is nothing new to them, so they understood. But not everyone is so fortunate.
It hurts when your friends and family don’t take what you’re doing seriously. Even worse, it breeds insecurity, hampers creativity and discourages risk taking.
And it puts you under even more pressure!
In this episode, I share 10 practical tips that will help you if you find yourself in this situation — or think you will in the future.
The notes that follow are a very basic, unedited summary of the show. There’s a lot more detail in the audio version. You can listen to the show using the audio player below. Or you can subscribe in iTunes to get this show delivered straight to the Podcasts app on your smart phone, tablet or iPod.
1. Admit that it sucks
It’s better to face the situation head on and admit that it sucks.
Unfortunately, some people try to lift themselves up by tearing others down. It’s a sad fact.
But you’re not alone in this. It’s an experience that many others have shared — and succeeded in spite of it.
2. Shift your mindset
Treat lack of support of family support as a challenge like any other.
You will face many challenges throughout your business journey. This is nothing different. So don’t assign it more importance than it deserves.
3. Re-visit your purpose
If you don’t have a strong reason for doing what you’re doing, it will be more difficult to weather these storms.
You need to have a strong “why” to stick to your convictions and keep going.
If your main driver is money or “I hate my boss” — that will only get you so far.
If you don’t know what your big “why” is yet, that’s okay. But it’s an important idea that you should keep working toward.
4. Find a supportive community
Find some likeminded people who are working toward similar goals and will understand your plight.
We’re wired to be part of a tribe. So find a group where you can be vulnerable and share the challenges you’re facing.
5. Support others
It can help to take the focus off yourself and help others, even if it’s only for a short period of time.
This doesn’t have to be work related! You can volunteer at any charity.
Helping others is a powerful way to get a new perspective on our own challenges.
6. Use it as fuel
This method won’t work for everyone. But some of us become highly motivated when someone tells us that we can’t do something.
It’s a way of taking something bad (lack of support) and turning it into something good (motivation).
7. Focus on the positive
Our instinct is to focus on the negative rather than the positive.
So make time to think about all the people who have helped you. Send them a quick note of appreciation in a text or email. Or give them a call.
Gratitude puts you in a different place emotionally. You can’t feel a negative emotion when you’re in a place of gratitude.
8. Find inspiration
Seek out inspirational books and movies. Become inspired by people who achieved great things without the support of loved ones.
I love a great underdog story! Movies that come to mind: Rudy, Seabiscuit, Jerry Maguire, The Pursuit of Happyness.
9. Set and maintain boundaries
It’s up to you to set boundaries when loved ones are putting you down.
You can say something like, “Let’s agree that we’re not going to talk about my work. Obviously, we see things very differently. I love you, and I don’t want this to damage our relationship. So let’s just put this aside and agree to talk about something else.”
10. Be honest with yourself
If you’re getting negative feedback from friends and family about your freelance goals, stop for a moment and ask yourself: Do they have a point?
Have you been buying course after course and attending event after event — yet not implementing what you’ve learned?
Are your loved ones concerned because they see you spending a lot of time and money on things you’re not doing anything with? Is it time for you to take what you’ve already learned and start implementing it?
Be honest with yourself. Because nothing will change unless this changes. You have to follow through. You have to take action.
I hope you’ve found these ideas helpful!
If you have a friend, family member or colleague who also struggles with a lack of family support in their new business venture, I encourage you to share this episode with them: https://b2blauncher.com/episode183.
By the way … whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways I can help you grow your freelance business:
1. Grab a free copy of my book for ESTABLISHED writers/copywriters.
You’ll discover how to quickly and predictably reawaken dead leads, generate new client opportunities and convert not-yet-ready prospects into freelance writing clients. — Click Here
2. Download a free copy of my new book for writers who are NEW to freelancing.
I’ll show you the 3 things you need to do to get your business off the ground safely and land your first paying client faster. — Click Here
3. Join my implementation program and be a case study.
I’m putting together a new implementation group this month. If you’d like to work with me to grow your income quickly with better clients (and become one of my new success stories). Just email me at ed@b2blauncher.com and put “Case Study” in the subject line.
4. Get a 1:1 strategy call with me.
Are you a 6-figure writer who’s trying to earn more in less time with less stress? Let’s jump on a quick call and brainstorm some ideas for getting you there. Just email me at ed@b2blauncher.com and put “Brainstorm” in the subject line.
