Pessimists, realists, and naysayers: that about covers the gamut of those who think you're wasting your time online, right? And it's not as if you don't have to face your own doubts every day. So, how can you cope with all of this unwanted advice?




Let's define our terms. Pessimists are those who, no matter what, always put the worst possible interpretation on circumstances. You say something good about it, and they invariably will say, "yes, but."





Realists are proud of themselves for not wearing rose-colored glasses. In their view, they see things as they are: no better, and no worse.





Naysayers can be either, or both. But one thing you can be sure of; neither they, nor their ugly sisters believe that anything good will come of your attempts to start an online business.





All three groups will offer "helpful" suggestions. Here are three.





1. "Why don't you get a real job?"





By that they mean that you get someone to hire you for 40 hours per week. They pay you biweekly or monthly, and give you a couple of weeks off each year.





When you hear that, then think to yourself, "A real job means that I'm just-over-broke, working below my capability, making money for someone else, of which I get to keep a small percentage. And I could lose that j-o-b anytime because of the whims of my boss."





2. "You can't be serious. No one makes money online."





Lee McIntyre, a multi-millionaire, once said that when he applied to become a member of a networking organization, he was turned down because the board didn't think that he had a serious business. He recalls thinking to himself that his income exceeded the sum of those who didn't think much of his business.





In many respects an online business is quite different from one that is offline. Depending on the person, I'll ask if he or she would like to know more about how it works. Hardly anyone does. An online business isn't a "real" job; it's much better than that.





3. "It'll never work."





Funny how those who most commonly make this statement have never had a business of their own. That means they really have no idea what is required, what you need to think about, or what decisions you have to make.





When you hear that, just remind yourself that they have as much to offer as an empty oil drum.


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