P.S. it usually only happens when you pick somethink like web design with such glorry if you succed. It happened with me when I started winning in Poker. My Whole family got in on it and I had to quit. I suspect that if you chose something with less glory and impressiveness you would find that they support you.
That totally sucks. Negative people are easy to deal with (I just ignore them), but negative parents are a total killjoy. Like everyone else said, just prove them wrong. My grandmother did not really approve of my lingerie business, simply because she assumed it was skanky (it's nothing worse then Victoria's Secret) since it was on this internet thingy she's heard so many bad things about. As soon as I told her how much I make working for myself, she's SO proud. Funny how the mighty dollar can change peoples opinions. Just realize that our generation is really the 1st to make a killing on the internet, so it's hard for older generations to grasp that we arn't just sitting in our rooms screwing around on the computer. Cut the parents some slack, if they continue to be negative, cut them loose. Good luck with your business!
Best thing is to be vague about what you are doing. Let them think what they want to think because they will do that anyway. Just get on with what you are doing and keep at it. By the sounds of things you're doing just fine. You can try explaining to your parents the 'ins and outs' of the internet and your business but I doubt you will ever get the response you would wish for. People get stuck in a mindset and that's how they live their lives, refusing all opportunity for change ... and they complain and grouch bitterly about everything. Other people know that to succeed you must get on with the job at hand. I used to have this quote in my sig: Don't worry about people stealing an idea; if it's original, you'll have to shove it down their throats. - Howard Aiken (father of modern computing) Cut loose from the fail-mindset and allow yourself to rise above it.
I think most people that are running their own business have "problems" with people that are negative and non-supportive. The thing is that you can never let those people bring you down and make you give up your dreams. Show these dreamkillers that you can DO IT. Just never give up and go for it!! //Andreas
Scott, show them that everything they said are completely wrong! i know its hard to please other people and make them believe that you can do it, but as long as you have faith in yourself, you will definitely succeed! It doesnt matter how long it will take to prove it to them.... what matters is that, at the end of the day....you will tell them that they are wrong. *There are lots of people here who believes in you, Scott!* dont let others turn you down.
Stick it to them. Flip the bird. You don't even have to prove to them you CAN, you already have. It's a waste of time trying to prove them wrong since they probably won't change their negative attitude anyway and it's not your job to do so anyway. Move out, like you're already planning to. I bet your business will flourish once out of that negative environment. "Yes people" rule.
It sounds to me like you are doing something you love and making it into a living. Don't let anyone get you down for that, because it is a rare thing to be able to do - which is probably where your parent's negativity comes from. Their inability to understand that a person can love what they do and make a living at it. As others have said, just keep telling yourself that you are going to prove them wrong, and maybe daydream about the day you prove it in a really big way. That's what I do when people get down on me about my slowness in finishing my novel. I daydream about squishing them with my mega millions one day when I have multi-million dollar book and movie contracts. hehehe
Once you make your first million, create a bank statement with your name on it and then show it to your parents. Then have them watch this video http://www.funpic.hu/swf/numanuma.html D
What an interesting post. Unfortunately we live in a very negative world - just watch the news! Have you ever seen a news channel which shows the positive things going on in the world? There are stacks of great things happening in the world. I guess if there wasn't any negative in the world there wouldn't be the need for the term positive! Successful people are generally very positive, if they weren't all the negative people would have destroyed their dreams long ago! Keep that dream alive and even if you don't make it (which you will right? answer yes to that ) just before you go you'll have no regrets. KowDot
Interesting topic, I get the same from my mom. I've been at online stuff a relatively short time and I've made a few mistakes down the line. Everytime something new comes along I'd tell her because I'd be excited and then she would give me the usual "yeah it's gonna work, just like the last time". I don't like it one bit as it is not encouraging and I've stopped sharing as much as I used to. We all make mistakes and learn from them and when I make them I would much rather hear don't give up and keep trying. Not "I told you so". I don't think she means bad but she just doesn't understand anything about the internet as others have stated and wants the "best" for me. I finally seem to be heading in the right direction and I'm staying positive that things will only improve. It's all about determination and sticking to your goals. My goal was to be making enough online when school starts up again in September so that I wouldn't have to work part time and could focus more on both school and websites. If things keep going the way they are I will certainly achieve this goal. I also have a few "friends" who laugh when I tell them I made 20 cents, a dollar or something along those lines. Then there are those who tell me good job, ask questions and take me seriously. Those that are laughing, they can keep laughing. I will certainly remember who they are when I'm making a nice income from home and I will be letting them know how awesome it is