So like the title says, I have creative ideas and always try to include my wife in discussions, but all she ever brings to the table is problems and negativity when we discuss things. She thinks she’s being “pragmatic” but it’s tremendously disheartening and the problems she imagines are always the absolute worst of the worst case scenarios. Everything I’ve ever read or watched when it comes to starting businesses is, just start and figure out the problems later. I’m well aware of the potential for difficulties in any endeavor, but tend to believe in myself and my ability to adapt and overcome. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you find middle ground, if at all?
So, with people like that, you have to just keep your business to yourself. If I took the advice of the people around me, I would be in the position I’m in today. You have to ignore the advice of people who have not done what you are looking to do. I feel for you because the people you spend the most time with do influence you whether you like it or not. If your 5 closest friends are millionaires, the chances of you being the 6th are very high. Denzel Washington said it best when he was addressing a graduating class at commencement. He said “if you hang around a barbershop long enough sooner or later, you’re going to get a haircut.” Very true.
When I was a sales trainer I would have people come up to me and say, “my wife/husband told me I have 3 months to make this work.” I would tell them, forget the 3 months, I would just quit now because when you look at it like that, you’re already assuming that there will be a problem and you are already blaming the system for what will inevitably fail instead of realizing it’s actually you who will determine that. I would try to seek out like minded people because then you can figure out how to solve problems together. I don’t even tell people what I do anymore. When ask me (when they see my lifestyle and what I drive). I just tell them I do financial stuff. Then I change the subject. If I told them I make just under $1M per year selling Indexed Universal Life policies through the best IMO out there they would think I was speaking a different language because as much as I love them, they are just sheep who will be financial slaves for life working for somebody else and begging for a vacation like a third class citizen.
Also, take action. Don’t wait. All the best!!!