How to deal with a real life crit
Part of what you do is an entrepreneur is take a risk. Part of taking that risk is dealing with criticism along the way.
You may hear things like:
You will fail.
Why would anyone want to use your product?
No one would buy this.
Are you qualified to do this?
Don’t you have to study something to do that?
Why don’t you do something else instead?
Listen to me, I know better, it won’t work.
Have a back up plan.. you know.. in case ..
The formula: The strength of your belief to what you want to do coupled with your support system allows you to look past the crits and take you to the finish line. But along the way, a lot of people give up, due to an increase of negative crits, and a decrease in a support system.
How to battle the negative:
- Surround yourself with positive people ONLY
- Negative people need to be weeded out, or you have to control/steer the conversation to the positive.
- Don’t share your hopes, dreams, future plans with the negatives, as you have now left yourself exposed in a battle with no weaponry.
That does mean you should be private about sharing your work, just share it with those who will back you up, support you, link you up with someone who will aid you, mentor you, or will give you constructive criticism.
- Have one person you can lean on, that you can talk to everyday, and who loves you unconditionally or is a mentor to you and will guide you to the next step.
You, yourself must believe in your work, or else how can others believe in you? Battle those who try to take you down, and protect your vision. Even if they are your parents. Unfortunately a lot of budding entrepreneurs need to battle a negative parent, who tells them to choose a safer path, to wait until the markets pick up before launching their business idea. And for that I suggest being stubborn, pursuing plans, and attempting to get funding without them. For when you do succeed, they will end up being the most proud of you.