Getting people to take your ideas seriously.

[Addict]

I decided to work on two projects this summer: a blog and a program. I am also taking two summer classes. I have a few questions about this setup.

1. How can I get people to take my work seriously?

The biggest problem I seem to have is not putting in enough time on these projects. I think it stems from people, including me, not taking my ideas seriously. My plan was to work on these projects on two specific days every week, to dedicate my time on those days to nothing else. This isn't much time to begin with, but everyone sees that I am not going to a job and assumes that I am doing nothing or sitting around playing video games all day. I just work at home, so people interrupt me, ask me to do time consuming tasks, and just don't really understand what I'm trying to do here. None of these occurred when I was employed last semester. I couldn't exactly be asked to clean the house when I wasn't there.What I need is for my friends and family to respect this time just as they would a normal job.

Another issue is sleep. I actually was waking up at 5:00am while I had a job, so I could work out first. I can't seem to get in this routine anymore, mainly because I stay up so late on the weekends. I see my fiancee on the weekends and her schedule is set much later than mine. Has anyone had to deal with this?

Also, I'm not sure how to explain what I'm doing to other people. Most people work a job and I have worked for the past three summers. I tell people that I'm "self employed", but only jokingly. I guess I don't have much confidence in what I'm doing, but I'm trying to do it anyways.

2. Could anyone suggest a better work schedule?

My idea originally was to choose Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on my projects, do school work on MWF(since I have a class on those days), and take off weekends. I thought it would be really important to separate my different activities, so they didn't blend into each other(which ended up happening quite often). I have a few options. One is to work continuously on all academic or personal tasks until my plate is cleared. It seems that I would be mentally more free in this situation because I wouldn't have those less important tasks hanging over my head. This doesn't guarantee any time for what I really want to do though.


Perhaps it was a bad idea to try to work on two projects simultaneously. I figured that I could update the blog regularly and spend the bulk of my time on my program. But writing entries takes a lot more time than I expected! Because of interruptions, distractions, and bad scheduling, I haven't put much time into my projects at all. Next semester, I'll be working again and I really want to make some sort of progress before that. I would really like to hear from people that have tried to pursue their own projects while juggling a lot of other things.

[mustard76]

1. How can I get people to take my work seriously?

Can you do your work somewhere else? I go to an internet cafe or bring my laptop to the library when there are distractions at home.

It could be hard to convince the people you live with (parents?) that you are doing productive work. When I start a new project I am very careful to only discuss it with people I think will be positive about it.

I had the same problem when I just finished college and worked on various projects from home. My parents were constantly asking me to do chores and distracting me from my work. I couldn't say no to my mother because she's my mother. I love my parents but I eventually moved out.

You need to find another place to do your work. Maybe a friend's house, school, library, a cafe or rent cheap office space.

Avoid negative, demotivating people at all costs. If your friends (or parents) were like mine, they will not understand what you are trying to do and tell you it's not worth your time. They probably think you should be working in retail like them. Eventually you'll believe them so you need to protect yourself from it.


2. Could anyone suggest a better work schedule?

You need to find a schedule that works for you. When are you the most productive? I'm definitely a morning person. I used to get up early and get my work done before everyone else in the house got out of bed.

Also, I found that it's really helpful to work with a partner. I don't try to work alone anymore. It's too easy to slack off.

Keep in mind that everyone who decides to be self-employed goes through the same learning process that you are struggling with now. That process is figuring out how to be productive with very little structure. Everyone's situation is different, so everyone will reach a different conclusion. It took me a year to figure out how to get things done without a boss's direction. Just don't give up and realize that once you figure out how to be productive without a boss you'll never need a boss for the rest of your life!

[1000feet]

I think people will be a lot more understand than you expect. Tell them you're starting a website or creating a program to sell and they'll be able to think of other examples of people doing that successfully, as well as understand that it takes a lot of work. If they can't maybe you can have a few well-known examples ready to help them get the point.

[AndrewJ]

Sometimes you're better off not telling people about what you are going to do or want to do. Just do it, and then suprise everyone when it's already up and running.

Andrew

[Liara Covert]

If you don't take your work seriously, then its unlikely anyone else will. As you focus more on what you're doing than on what other people may be thinking, you'll attract people into your life who have common beliefs and who will also appreciate your efforts. It makes more sense to do 'for the sake of doing' rather than for the sake of being noticed. To share stories later because you're proud of accomplishments is a different story.

[sv800]

1. How can I get people to take my work seriously?

My wife always is complaining about the time I spend at my laptop...
Even after I received a fat check...I guess is in her nature to complain for everything...
every day I explain her that there are things to be fixed or developed, she does not care much, I do not think she fully understand what's all about.

My advice: no one will ever understand what your doing...just keep going by yourself...

[MindofMan]

This is why you have to rely on other people as little as possible.

Check out the story of the Hot or Not Founder. There's a great video of talk from him on the Guy Kawasaki blog.

It is possible to start on a shoestring. If you do so, then the investment and kudos you would otherwise need to impress others, isn't even required any more.

[Tobias Zimpel]

Originally Posted by 1000feet

I think people will be a lot more understand than you expect. Tell them you're starting a website or creating a program to sell and they'll be able to think of other examples of people doing that successfully, as well as understand that it takes a lot of work. If they can't maybe you can have a few well-known examples ready to help them get the point.

Well, I did exactly this - and everybody told me that this will never word, that I have to pay my bills, and that I should instead go find a job. Great, that's exactly what I needed to get my own business up and running!

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

Sometimes you're better off not telling people about what you are going to do or want to do. Just do it, and then suprise everyone when it's already up and running.

That's it. When they see that you have at least some success, they will have an easier time imagining some more success with it.

[MindofMan]

People will always try to put you down.

I recently took some calls from headhunters. I am 27 years old, and don't - on paper - have a huge amount of experience. My CV is good, but I'm young, and they know it. As a self-employed person I'm doing very well, but these people know that a multinational wouldn't match what I'm earning now. The upshot is that they keep trying to convince me that I'm worth less than I am, so they can fix me up with some rubbish job and take their poxy commission.

The gist of my message, is that almost EVERYBODY has some hidden agenda or ulterior motive for making you feel less than great about yourself. That's why you, and only you, can make that change. And I wish you all the best. I tell you what, I felt fantastic when I made that realisation. It's mindboggling how people are almost scared of seeing other people be successful, or hoping for better things for themselves. What the hell are they scared of? Their own regrets in not going for it themselves?