3 Kinds of People to Avoid When Starting a Business or Project
Let’s face it, in this day-and-age, entrepreneurs are all around us. They’re on several social media platforms, they’re in our family and some of them are even our friends. If you know anything about fulfilling a dream of yours through a business or expounding on a hobby you’ve perfected by means of a project, then you know it’s no easy venture. Entrepreneurship takes a lot of guts, money and man-power on the back end. It comes with good days, great days and days that you probably wished never existed. On top of all of that, starting a business or project comes with the inevitable, the unavoidable and the inexplicable…people that don’t want to see you win. Just as many entrepreneurs that you see around you, there are as many people who don’t have your best interest at heart. This reality of starting a business or project should not discourage you, but rather, make you aware of the negative people you’ll run into while you grow your plan.
If you’re thinking about starting a business/project, you’re getting ready to launch your business/project or you’re already there, here are 3 types of people to avoid in order to have a healthy business and/or a productive launch:
1. DREAM KILLERS
Ever heard the quote, “When people say, ‘You can’t do that’, it is usually because they never thought to do it.”? Simply put, when someone tries to influence you to sway from your business ideas or future project goals, with no Plan B or a more innovative idea than the one you had, then they’re dream killers. These types of people are not capable of doing what you are, so to them, every thing you do is always a bad idea. I remember when I resigned from my job after 11 years to pursue a dream I’ve had for years-- my skin was itching just thinking about quitting and going after what I loved. Before I made the leap to resign, there were some people in my corner cheering me on and giving me the support that I needed. Then, there were others who questioned my motives because they didn’t have the courage themselves to make the move I was making. Sure, some people don’t want to see you fail, so they’ll throw you a net to avoid you drowning. However, there are those, (the ones I ran into on my way out), who try to make you seem crazy, too risky or plain stupid.
The truth: These people would love to tackle their own business aspirations or work on a project they’ve visualized for years, but they feel more comfortable where they are and think you should be too.
2. UNSOLICITED “OPINIONATORS”
This is self-explanatory. These people give you their opinions about your business plans, even when you don’t ask for it! You simply share what your next business move is with them, and without even asking for their views on it, they give it to you. Not to be outdone, they state their opinion almost as if they’ve been thinking about telling you for quite some time. These people usually have an opinion for everything, so don’t take it personal. They’re more comfortable imposing ideas on you, rather than listening to what new ideas you’ve come up with and supporting your efforts. You want to avoid these people at all costs because if you hang around their thoughts long enough, they’ll have you doubting your brilliance and can even send you in the wrong direction.
3. COPYCATS
These types of people tend to be the sneakiest of them all because like cats, they’re quiet, inquisitive and hard to catch. Copycats never usually start projects or businesses that interest them, but rather, start a business or project that interests you. Copycats usually gather information on your business ideas by researching on the back-end or they ask you a million questions so they can get what they need to get their mental motor running. Why do copycats exist? Well, they think either:
a.) They can do a better job than you can at your own talent/skill
or
b.) They think starting a business or project is easy and if you can do it, so can they.
Some look at copying as flattery, but quite frankly, who wants a copycat sneakily desiring to do what you’re doing? My advice: Avoid telling copycats your ideas. There’s no need to worry about what you can’t control if they’re lurking for your business secrets behind your back. Furthermore, consumers can always tell the real-deal from the copycat anyway, (just think dollar store toilet paper vs. Charmin).
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Staying clear of these 3 types of people doesn’t mean you should start avoiding phone calls and ditching those close to you just because they fall into one of these categories. Instead, share your business and/or project plans with individuals who you know fully support your craft, assist you in perfecting your skills or help you to grow in the area you’re getting into. Take this organization for example, (The Millionheiress Club). Part of their mission is to fully support entrepreneurs in their efforts to strive and become highly successful people. They assist in offering workshops, business plans and push you to go all in, in order to reap maximum growth for the entrepreneurial seeds you plant.
If you’re not pairing up with business organizations, strong supporters, financial planners and/or other business owners who have experienced the same trial and errors as you, now’s the time! While you’re at it , get out of the way of people who mean your business no good.
Your favorite blogger,
Toni
