Take No for an Answer Don't dismiss naysayers--ask for advice, and turn it into a tool for success.

As an entrepreneur, no matter how seasoned you are, when someonesays something negative about your business, it stings. In fact,negative comments have the power to crush ideas before they areborn.

Conventional wisdom says that you should follow your heart andignore the naysayers. However, some of the best ideas are born fromunwelcome criticism. Negative comments often contain kernels oftruth-they are just delivered incorrectly. Your mission is toengage the naysayers, determine what they are basing their commentson, and discover new information that can help you succeed.

Listening to naysayers is especially important, because in mostpeople's lives-including my own-the naysayers are familymembers and people you love! Your spouse, friends and family wantyou to succeed; however, they also want to protect you fromanything that may be difficult. Realize that behind each questionlies the subliminal suggestion of "We love you and don'twant to see you suffer."