I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite. -- G.K. Chesterton

Starting a window cleaning business takes courage. You may discover things about your loved ones that you didn't want to know. With alarming frequency, we humans are capable of suddenly becoming righteous, self-proclaimed experts at all sorts of things we know absolutely zippo about. For example, how to play professional basketball from our living room chairs while holding a beer, or which rock band is the best, or who should start that spin class at the gym.

Someone once said that whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. And there are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. Starting a window cleaning business will test your ability to stay focused.

As George Burns observed, it's too bad that most of the people who really know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair. Many people never excel at anything other than armchair coaching because they're just plain scared, and they'd feel better about it if you would forget about starting a window cleaning business and please be just plain scared about it too.

The funny thing is, few of these critics ever realize that in reality you are actually scared about it, but you are allowing yourself to be nervous, and go ahead with your plans anyway. That, my friends, is called courage. And darn, it's true. You are special and you deserve to be successful. Don't cast your pearls before the swine.

Warning: Well-meaning friends and family members may be dangerous to your small business mental health!

Starting a window cleaning business is a good reminder that our species may mean well, but also we're frequently ready to make ourselves sound hi-falutin', as my dad would say. We're always ready to offer our infinitely wise advice in order to save our loved ones from making the worst mistakes of their lives... in our humble opinions.

As you start a window cleaning business, if you have critical people in your life, please, don't even tell them about your new business. Don't say a word until you feel good and ready, preferably after you've landed your first clients (and you've already taken several checks to the bank). If you must to talk to them about your plans before your business has started to take shape, make sure to remind yourself after each encounter with negativity or unsolicited advice that you're the expert, and remember, the most suspect advice will come from people who have never started a window cleaning business of their own.

Each time you have a close encounter with negative thinking make it a habit to reaffirm your business goals. Know that you are embarking on an important mission and that your focus, courage and willpower are your required tools. Protect them and keep them sharp.

The world steps out of the way of the person who knows where s/he is going.

Naturally, members of your tribe may feel threatened by your newfound energy and enthusiasm, especially if this is your first encounter with self-employment. They may react with surprising negativity. People who react this way want to snap you back to their level, where they're used to having you near.

What are the three keys to ignoring their uninvited advice while you start a window cleaning business?

1. Remain positive.

2. Do not waste your energy trying to explain everything about your new path to self-employment to them.

3. Keep focused. Do not let them derail you with their fears.

It's frightening for some folks to see their kindred sisters and brothers take off in an unfamiliar direction. Why? Because it forces them to think about moving on too, out of their own comfort zone. This is a natural human reaction. You must perservere and trust your own intuition.

After you've started your window cleaning business and everything's going smoothly, those same people will be singing your praises. You will be their inspiration -- whether they change their tunes or not.

This article was adapted from the newly revised and improved edition of Suzanne Arthur's ebook, Start Your Own Window Cleaning Business. Two of Suzanne's other business ebooks, featuring the Suze & Ev Method, are Start Your Own House Cleaning Business, and Start Your Own Office Cleaning Business. These ebooks, as well as a handy dandy cleaning tips ebooklet, can be found at http://www.start-cleaning- business.com. Suze & Ev's further adventures in cleaning and beyond are posted on their blog, http://start-a-cleaning-business.blogspot.com