Most entrepreneurs and visionaries have a strong support system to encourage their dreams. Their cheers and words of affirmation are often the motivation needed to keep moving forward in times of frustration or discouragement.
Being the parent of a young entrepreneur is not only challenging, but it is also scary. Having a solid support system is even more necessary as a parent manager than it is when you are building a business of your own.
So what do you do when the ones who love you the most are the ones who support you the least?
What do you do when your family thinks you’re crazy?
How do you manage, when your family doesn’t believe in you or the vision of your young mogul?
As a brand strategist, I have heard my share of ideas. Some are amazing, some lackluster, and some are down-right duds, but the one thing that has always remained consistent is the fact that believing in something and seeing it through is exactly how you find your way to the million-dollar idea.
Being able to ignore the naysayers and while keeping your vision in view is a big part of the process, but this is very difficult to do if you lack support.
Don’t lose heart. There are some very practical steps you can take to help you keep moving forward when the ones you love don’t support the vision.
Here are 3 powerful pieces of advice that can help you grow through the pain of unsupportive family members without damaging the relationship with them. These suggestions might also help to win them over and convince them that you and your young CEO have an amazing idea.
Get clear
Being clear about your vision will allow you to articulate it to your family in a way that lets them know you’re serious. What is it? Who is it for? How or where will it be produced? What are the costs associated with the vision? This clarity may also help them see your vision which in turn might allow them to be more supportive.
Make a plan
How does the saying go “an idea without a plan is just a wish?”
An idea and a vision are both great, but having a plan for executing the idea and vision is even better. When you have a plan, you know who to ask and what to ask for. Having a plan also cuts down on space for discouragement, because a plan provides focus and direction. When you have a plan it’s easier to manage the disappointment you feel when others don’t support you because a plan allows you to determine whether or not you’re making progress.
Share your dreams with the RIGHT people
Find your tribe and use them as a sounding board. Often times the lack of support from our family comes from their fear or need to protect us. When you find and connect with other like-minded individuals, they are able to act as a safe space to talk out your ideas. They can provide feedback, help you to identify and predict pitfalls as well as give encouragement when needed. Finding your tribe will also support you in getting clear and creating a plan which as we discussed maybe all your family needs to catch the vision.
If after trying these 3 things, you still have reluctant family members, their lack of support won’t feel as painful. By putting these ideas into practice, you’ll still have all you need to move forward and you’ll be able to maintain a healthy relationship with your family that doesn’t depend on their support.
In business, this is what we call a win-win-win solution.
