by Stacy Karacostas

Starting a business – or just keeping one running for that matter – takes a lot of energy. If the people you come into contact with all think you’re crazy or doomed for failure, it’s bound to take a toll on you. Here are five things you can do to combat that negativity.

My husband is truly blessed…He came from a family that 100% believes he can do anything. Whatever he sets his sights on, their response is always, “Great! What can we do to help?”

The result is that he pretty much can do anything–and has regularly accomplished what most people would say is impossible (including having his perfect job created for him at his company not once, but twice, in the past five years!!).

Unfortunately, most of us aren’t so lucky. We come from families who feel it’s their duty to point out every possible pitfall in our plans…Or who still see us as the (perhaps somewhat screwed up) teenagers we were decades ago. Then you’ve got the professional colleagues who are sure to think your nuts for trying something different–or who just don’t “get it” at all.

And let’s not forget the friends and acquaintances whose glass is always almost empty. Those folks will put a pin in your bubble every time if you let them.

Or maybe your significant other doesn’t understand what you’re trying to build, and doesn’t believe in you or support you. I have a client right now who’s getting ready to launch her new business and her hubby just doesn’t “get it.” He wants her to go back to work instead!

That one’s a toughie for sure. Because if anyone should have your back it’s your life partner.

But if they came from a negative family or a difficult upbringing they may not know how to support you and your entrepreneurial dreams–especially if they don’t know much about running a successful business.

Then there’s the nightly news. And continued talk of people and businesses struggling in the bad economy too. It can be just plain hard to keep a positive mental attitude!

So, what do you do when you feel like everyone around you thinks you’re crazy or bound for failure, and the cash isn’t rolling in like you’d like?

1) Take stock.

Have you really done the planning and preparation needed to be successful? Do you have something to sell? Are you selling it for enough money to create a self-sustaining business complete with paycheck for you? Do you know who your ideal client is, what pressing pain or problem you can solve for them, and why they should buy from you instead of the other guy?

2) Only listen to experts.

Everyone has an opinion. Not all opinions are worth paying attention to. So before you listen to what your friends, family or even colleagues have to say, consider the source. If they don’t have experience building their own successful businesses, and/or they aren’t representative of your ideal client, take what they say with a big grain of salt.

3) Pay attention to your inner voice.

If you’re one of the negative voices you hear the most, this has to change. Pay attention to the words you think and say. They have tremendous power. Because if you don’t think you’re going to be successful you won’t be. If you’re seriously struggling with setting fees high enough, marketing your business or making sales you may have mental or emotional block. Often these can be cleared up by an energy worker.

4) Talk it out.

If the people closest to you are the least supportive, sometimes it’s because they don’t understand the reality of what you’re trying to do. So sell them on it. If you can’t sell the people closest to you on the idea that your business is viable, you’re probably going to struggle to sell anybody. And these are the people you most need to understand what you’re trying to do and what you need to be successful. So let them know.

5) Get help.

Even if you’re a solo-entrepreneur you can’t do it all alone. And you certainly don’t know everything. If you’re serious about your success then find a mentor or hire a coach to guide you down the right path. Not only will they give you a fresh perspective, if they’ve been there done that they can seriously shortcut your path to success.