Tag: business

Whose toes are those?

Many of us have heard the saying, “Be careful, the toes you step on today may be connected to the ass you may have to kiss tomorrow.” How many of us have taken the time to ponder the meaning of this saying? Let me say, not many. So many people are concerned with getting ahead than they are about integrity and honor.

Some people will sell their soul for a chance at success, forgetting those that held them down when the going was rough. Throwing people under the bus all for the chance of going nowhere fast. Stealing concepts and connections, reworking other people’s ideas to aid in their deception.

There is no honor amongst thieves, dream snatchers definitely apply. Dream snatchers are those people dressed up like friends, but plotting like enemies, also known as frenemies. Those people that enter your circle intending to grab and go, grab your ideas, and go make a name for themselves. We’ve all experienced this on some level.

Whether it’s the co-worker taking all the credit for your idea or a friend that runs off with your dream and attempts to make it their own, the hurt and betrayal feel the same. Those types of people rarely prosper in the long run because they don’t have the mental acumen needed for staying power. And the truth is even if someone takes the premise of your idea, they can’t take what is meant for you. Someone can’t fully birth a vision in all its magnificent glory if the vision was not given to them.

Sometimes the true blessing is in the lesson. It’s in teaching us who to entrust with our secrets and about speaking up for ourselves. Asserting our worth and claiming our work. Taking the steps to protect yourself:

  1. If you have a business idea, stop talking about and be about it.
  2. If you want to share ideas, have them sign a confidentiality clause.
  3. Trademark your brand and your personalized sayings before sharing them.
  4. Keep your circle small.
  5. Network with others with established businesses.

Stop looking to others for validation and affirmation to follow your dreams. Know that it’s ok to ask for support and prayers and be vague why they are needed, some people don’t need full disclosure because they don’t want it to be helpful, they want to be nosey. In fact, the most genuine of people are praying for you before you ever even ask.

Ideas are often like outfits; they look different on other people. Just because someone takes your idea doesn’t mean they will present it like you. They may not have the contacts you have, the drive you have, the spirit you have or the blessings you have. What is meant for you will be FOR YOU!

Tell those toe crushers you’re rocking steel-toed boots, so they must come better than that!~ Micaiah

The Race is not Given to the Swift

In today’s age of millennials and entrepreneurship, those of us over 40 and just coming into our own may feel a little bereft. These young people sure do seem to have themselves together and have an outlook on getting ahead and working for themselves while creating multiple streams of income.

It may appear that they have reached their summit before you did and that has you feeling a bit slighted. Don’t be. The environment is ever shifting focus, for those of us in our 40’s and above the focus was always on obtaining a trade or college education, the thought of working for oneself was just not something most of our parents heard of or were comfortable promoting. Instead, most were encouraged to find a job/career and stay there forever. 

As times changed so did perspective and people are beginning to see that sometimes college education can give you an advantage over the next candidate and sometimes a degree can just get you in debt. Therefore, people are pushing the idea of business ownership and branding, versus working for someone else, supporting and financing of one’s own dreams instead of just building others.

It takes courage to break out of a mold and to try something new and different. So it is worthy of applause for those individuals that after years of working a job as instructed by dear old mom and dad, have decided to revisit their dreams, passion and or purpose and pursue them. Being older, hopefully, means wiser as well, and more in tune to what truly drives our happiness and what we need in order to live fulfilled lives.

I think these “well-seasoned” entrepreneurs have a lot of knowledge as it pertains to life skills that are beneficial when promoting one’s business and brand. People are teaching themselves and other new tricks, dispelling that “old dog myth”.  It is never too late to reinvent oneself.  All you need is the drive, determination, and motivation to change your mindset and ultimately your life.

Don’t allow anyone or any circumstance to place you in a box. Remember and repeat to yourself daily, if necessary, that the only thing standing in your way is you. Empowerment starts with self. Believe in your own self-worth and envision yourself successful. No matter the age we are all humans attempting to live out our best life. Collaborate and learn from one another, old and young working together collectively ideas and experience abound. 

There is a saying that states, the race is not given to the swift, but to those that endure to the end. So keep pushing and don’t quit. I believe with you!

~Micaiah 

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