When I started my business, I was met with skepticism and criticism from those closest to me.
“How are you going to save for retirement? I heard that 8 out of 10 businesses fail. This is temporary, right? Until you get a real job?”
Every comment from those well-meaning
people eroded the confidence and motivation I had amassed after
countless hours of research and preparation. I felt as though I was
paddling upstream in a raging river—and no one was there to lend a hand.
But even though I was scared, I didn’t quit. Instead, I applied the 7 tactics below to stay motivated despite the critics:
1. Know your mission
I knew I wanted to be a marketing coach
because I’m passionate about teaching and I’m fascinated by marketing.
Every time the critics made me want to question my decision, I would
think of my mission and remind myself that I was doing what I knew was
right for me.
Clearly state what you want to
accomplish and why. To stay motivated, your reasons must match your core
values and passion. Then, write down your mission and post it near your
computer where you will be able to see it during the tough times.
“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mahatma Gandhi
2. Don’t justify your goal
I realized that the more I tried to explain why I was pursuing my goal, the less confident I felt about my ability to succeed, and the more my motivation suffered.
You’re not obligated to explain or
justify your goal. Focus on how to achieve what you desire rather than
on how to get external approval to pursue your mission.
3. Don’t reveal too much too soon
I was so excited about my new venture
that I couldn’t resist sharing the good news with those around me. I
quickly learned that I had made a mistake, because instead of receiving
encouragement, I often received criticism.
The reality is that many people in
your life will find fault with your goal, will warn you to “be careful,”
or will share a story of someone who failed when trying to achieve a
similar goal.
That’s a sure way to kill your motivation, especially when it hasn’t gathered enough positive momentum to withstand criticism.
In the beginning stages of your
project, it’s best to write your ultimate goal in a private journal and
keep your ideas to yourself. Let your confidence and motivation build up
before you share the news.
4. Expand your social circle
I noticed that many of my friends and
loved ones were being critical because their interests and backgrounds
were opposite to mine. I decided to meet new people who would be more
likely to relate to me, offer encouragement, and provide useful
insights.
Seek the company of those who are
most likely to support you. Attend networking meetings, join a
mastermind group or connect with a mentor. Create a strong support network to tap into during your journey.
5. Spend time in solitude
As important as it was for me to meet
new people, I found the answers to my biggest questions when I removed
myself from the noise and spent time alone.
You don’t need to escape to a
deserted island for a week. Even an hour away from technology and other
people will allow you to achieve the peaceful state of mind you need to
create a winning strategy. You’ll feel more motivated to go on when you
become confident about your plan of action.
“The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” – Albert Einstein
6. Find those who have succeeded achieving a similar goal to yours
The best antidote for the doomsday scenarios the critics describe to you is a story of triumph.
I found the top five players in my
industry and followed their footsteps. I signed up for their training
programs and modeled what they had done in their business. I placed my
attention on the amazing results they had achieved. They became one of
my main sources of motivation.
Today, make a list of 5 to 10 people
who have achieved a similar goal to yours, and learn from them. Just
like you, they were probably bombarded with criticism. But they made it,
and so can you!
7. Celebrate small successes
I created a log of small wins, which I
updated at the end of every week. I kept track of new software
applications I had learned, people I had connected with, and training
modules I had completed. Even cleaning my inbox made it to the list!
When my confidence and motivation
wavered, I read the log, and realized how much I had already
accomplished. This log became an instant motivation booster.
Keep track of your
accomplishments—even those that seem insignificant. A small win might
end up having a big impact on your success.
Criticism is one of the major
motivation killers, but if you’re prepared, you won’t be a victim of the
critics. Stay focused on the end goal and find joy in every step of the
journey!
