Does that sound familiar? Do you have family members or close friends who tend to think that working from home is just a little hobby, something to keep you busy while you are watching the children grow up, and something to lift the burden of housework or the boredom of being a stay at home parent? For many of us, this is very true. Spouses, parents, and extended family members, especially those who have grown up in the business world, tend to look at people who work from home (especially if that business is virtually based) as being our little "hobby".
How do you manage to cope with this? Do you try and explain your hopes and aspirations to your loved ones without it sounding like you are getting on a soapbox? And when you do explain, does it sink in? Do they finally understand how you feel and what you are trying to achieve? In fact was it worth all the trouble in the first place? I don't think it gets any easier or difficult in time, it's just "different".
It's tough enough to make the business world realise that there is life outside of a skyscraper, that the rat-race only exists if you make yourself a part of it, that there are substantial rewards running a business from home, and Yes Virginia There is a Santa Claus. What I mean by this is if you truly believe in yourself, and in your success, then it will happen, it will be a reality for you and more importantly for those who have trouble understanding.
It will take time. Nothing ever happens overnight (except in the movies of course) and this same scenario can be used when dealing with those who are skeptical. Make them aware of your achievements, your growth and your abilities. Show them what you have gained, in both a business and personal level. Don't be ashamed to say "Hey I work hard at making this work and I am proud of what I have achieved. As the saying goes "A picture paints a thousand words" and you can paint a picture of your achievements then you are well on the way to gaining support from those around you.
Jo Walker is a successful Virtual Service Provider. Her business, thehomeoffice (http://www.thehomeoffice.net), creates Efficient, Effective, Online Solutions for SOHO businesses. She is also the Editor for The Virtual Summit, a montly newsletter produced for The Virtual Business Group (http://www.virtualbizgroup.com)