Your spouse/partner does not support your idea. Now what?
Does your significant other fully support you in pursuing your dreams? If not, here is what you can do about it.
I am sharing this with you because too often my female clients are frustrated about their loved ones actively discouraging them from making a bold move in their careers – especially when it involves starting their own business.
My first piece of advice is always to see it from their perspective.
Loved ones actively discourage us from taking risks because they love us.
They fear for our health, safety, and financial well-being.
This has happened to me a few times, even by my mentors.
Before I traveled to Arizona last year to get certified in Brendon Burchard’s Certified High Performance Coaching, my mentor wrote to me:
“Please think long and hard before you invest in spending time with Brendon Burchard, could you get him to pay you for your time? I think you would have a lot to teach him. He is not a world expert in adult development from what I see on-line.”
Of course, I went – and got my return on investment during certification because people signed just because they knew I would get certified in the world’s highest-rated coaching program.
My mentor, just like your loved ones, only wanted me to be out of harm’s way based on his understanding and view of the world.
So, here is how you can handle this situation:
- Interpret pushback as love, and how you feel about it will instantly change.
If it is not love, but toxic, you may need to re-evaluate your relationship and address it at a deeper level.
Sometimes, separation means progress. - Say nothing.
Whatever you say at this stage will not change people’s minds. It’s already made up.
Say nothing, especially in a toxic relationship. - Go to work and produce results.
The only thing that sways people’s minds about your venture is success.
Results speak louder than words.
When the first money comes in, they will go from ‘that’s crazy’ to ‘there might be something to it’ to active support.
Your strongest support will often come from your critics.
Unless they are toxic people, in which case they will discredit everything you produce.
As to my mentor: even though I was disappointed, I only had one response:
“I am so heart-warmed by your genuine care and appreciative words. It means a lot to me that you feel so strongly about what I do. So, THANK YOU.”
It’s mostly about love.
