It is common for successful entrepreneurs to surround themselves with the right people. Those “right people” are those who support your vision because they are also big thinkers like you. Even though their suggestions might be good, it is still necessary to give attention to the naysayers – those are the pessimist or negative thinkers.
We’ve all heard the stories and critics ramble on about those who earned their spots in the limelight. Successful, innovative people who bring about change in their industries (think about the criticism you’ve heard on the radio, tv or Internet about game changers in technology like Steve Jobs or the latest controversial film such as those made by Christopher Mallick which make people think outside the box).
Naysayers come in various forms, from old colleagues to family members and friends who always see the risk in taking those forward steps you have mapped out. However, without your knowledge, one or two of them might be lurking behind to steal your idea in order to create the next big thing in the world.
Forget about the need to justify
Do not justify what you are doing or spend time explaining your ideas to them. Justifying means that you are given your power away, trying to prove your validation. You only need to justify to the people who are very important to you.
Stretch the truth
Even if things are not going as planned for you, and a naysayer asks, “How are you?” You should respond with words like, “Everything is fine. Thank you.” Doing that prevents you from falling into the justification trap as you give the naysayers the opportunity to say, “Well, I told you before”.
Stop, think and re-frame
You are likely to feel uneasy when a person asks how you are doing, especially if things have not been going on planned. Secretly, many people envy the demonstration of entrepreneurs, and instead of encouraging you and providing useful suggestions, they try to question your decision, making you to see the need to abandon your plans.
Only listen to those who inspire you
Do not listen to, and you should avoid, anybody who does not inspire you to continue what you are doing. Use the empowering advice of positive-thinkers to replace the negative assumptions of the naysayers.
Show Self-assurance
Instead of looking defeated and being defensive, you should always show self-assurance. Respond to the naysayers with words such as, “Thank you for your opinion, but I am very excited with the challenges before me and what I want to achieve”.
Those are the 5 golden rules of handling naysayers if you are an entrepreneur with set goals. Do not expect everybody who hears about your plans to be happy and be willing to follow you. Along the way, some of the closest person to you could even be the most aggressive negative-thinkers. The most important thing is being focused on your set goals.
