Your support system. Now please let me know if any of the following phrases sound familiar to you. First of all, Hey, can you run some errands for me this afternoon since you're not stuck in the office like me? Or maybe? Well, of course you can have another drink. It's not like you have to wake up early tomorrow morning.

Or else. So what is it that you do all day? Oh, and another one, one of my favorites. Oh, life's easy for you since you don't have to deal with a job anyway. So about all these, how do they make you feel? Do comments like these irritate you so much that you want to, you know, break stuff?

Well, welcome to the world of being your own boss. And, or working from home or freelancing or entrepreneurship, etc. In all of these cases, you'll have to deal with stuff like this. Unfortunately, what tends to happen is that nobody else will take you seriously. At least not at first. I mean, in a way, how could they to them Job is being told what to do.

Having a boss breathing down your neck following orders and then just waiting for your paycheck, right. And in other words, it's a basically a very passive way to work and live. Well, the way you work is probably the most active form imaginable. Sure, you could sit at home and watch TV all day, but then you wouldn't be making rent. And so you have to be your own boss and your own employee and your middle manager and intern all in one. And even after all, that you're still not guaranteed any sort of paycheck like someone who works for a large company is the best analogy I've heard is that an entrepreneur is someone who works 16 hours a day so that they don't have to have a job.

And so given all this, I feel it's very important to have a support system of your own. This is your livelihood, but it is also as real as you make it. So surround yourself with people who understand this also realize that people who don't understand this can be toxic. These are people who once again work for a company work for a boss clock in and out of work, etc, etc. So they think you're just at home doing nothing all day, and then you have an easy life. And they say, Oh, well, he's not doing anything anyway, right?

Let's face it. If your friend wants you to pass by IKEA, to pick up something because they're stuck in the office, you know, you probably could, you probably could help them out that time. And I'm not saying you shouldn't. But if you do realize that you're admitting several things. First of all, you're saying that your friend's time is more important than your own. Right?

Because you had work scheduled but instead you're using that time to help your friend out. Second of all, you're saying that you're available in the future for future errands, as long as you don't have a predetermined emergency, let's say and as long as your friend you know, offers to buy you a drink or whatever after it's done. Third of all, it says to your friends that you are free during work hours. I mean, if you can run your friends there and during work hours, it probably means that you can do other stuff as well other than work. And fourth of all, it means that your friends view of your lifestyle is reinforced, your friend will think now more than ever, that you're just sitting at home and completely flexible and can do whatever. Once again, I'm not saying not to help your friends ever again.

But I am saying that this job is only as serious as you treat it. So the best way to avoid all this, I feel is to surround yourself with other entrepreneurs freelancers or people who work for themselves just like you, they will understand that you need your work time and in fact, they'll often help you to find the best time and method for getting work done. Another way that I found helpful is to actually go to a workplace, such as a small office or a co working space. This makes it easier for you To say, I'm at work, or I'm at the office, sorry. And people are used to that and used to that meaning work, right? Rather than I'm sitting at home or I'm in a coffee shop.

It also has the added benefit of surrounding you with other entrepreneurs and other people like yourself. And so once again, you get your lifestyle and the sense that you're working on something serious and real reinforced. But the main point here, once again, I just cannot stress it enough is to take your work seriously. It's only as serious as you're going to make it and so you have to be strict about it. If this means telling your friend No, I'm at work right now. Sorry.

Then so be it. Note, how if you had asked them the same question they would have given you that answer and chances are, you would give it if you were in a co working space or in your own office anyway. So when you are working from home, your home is your office and Treat it as such. If your friend complains, then explain that this is your livelihood. This is your life, and you need to take it seriously. A good friend is going to understand this and why will most likely respected and also, frankly admire you and your self discipline.