The New 4 Letter Word…

A new word has emerged that we will coin as “The New 4 Letter Word”! This 4 letter word can belittle someone; while at the same time give the user of the word an imaginary since of power. We have found that generally when this word is used it is meant to make the user feel better about themselves, somehow in their mind putting them above the other person.

What does this have to do with a Start-Up Business, everything! This is another great reason to launch into your own business eliminating some of the unnecessary behavior we allow ourselves to be subjected to on a day to day basis because we feel there are no other options. It also will help those of you launching you own business to develop a level of respect for others you encounter, especially in the service fields.

So many today have been subjected to being talked down to or about, it is a tough time in our economy so some are taking advantage of that to make themselves feel better. Have you ever been told you were “just a secretary”, “just a waitress”, “just a janitor”, or “just a temp”? We have been seeing too much of the use of the four letter word “just” to categorize a person’s position or status in life. Why are we seeing such an emergence of this mentality that definitely leaves a person feeling less than? I really believe it is because people are in fear of loosing what they have and have forgotten they were not always where they are today. The word “just” oozes out like the slime in a sewer and they instantly feel better, not looking back to see the damage done to the other person.

A client of mine recently experienced this, she chose to say yes to a temp agency for a position she was told would be long time temp or temp to perm. On the first day with the company they were already scheduling other interviews, so she contacted the agency to ask what was going on, “don’t I even get a chance to prove myself?” The agency promptly responded “just sit there and do the job you are “just a temp””. Imagine having that said to you when you walk into a new job focused on doing your best to prove yourself. It did not stop there the office where she was placed in also kept referring to her as “just a temp”; you are only here till the full-time person is hired. So my client took the agency’s advise and did exactly what they said, she sat there and filled the seat in the office since they would not give her any work or train her on what to do because she was “just a temp”. My client decided this is not worth it and is now launching a very successful VA (Virtual Assistant) business where she has complete control on her working environment.

This is a phenomenal reason to consider launching your own business so you can control the environment to position your self into and at the same time create a pleasant/positive atmosphere for all whom you encounter. What are you a master at, what do you love doing? Perhaps it is time to stop and consider launching your own business, creating a healthy/positive atmosphere you can thrive in daily. Remember it does not require a brick and mortar any more to build a business; all you need is an idea and some passion to fuel it forward.