News Update: Liz Strauss (successful-blog.com) just officially named me an "SOB" (successful & outstanding blogger)!
Since our thoughts are generally Not Fit To Print, Jason Seiden and I did this little video on our take of Seth’s big announcement, including, why did it take him 12 frickin’ bestselling books to figure this out and a big thanks in advance for thinning the herd…
If you are planning on seeing Seth in Chicago, I will see you there. Half-day tickets still available here.
I was having lunch with my buddy Jason Seiden the other day and he mentioned how many people relate to me because, ultimately, they wanted my “balls”. Now, normally that might seem strange to say about someone who biologically does not have any male genitalia, but it wasn’t. Loads of men and women have told me that I say the things they wish that they could say.
So, I figured that if you wish that you had your own pair but don’t, that I would let you borrow my brass cojones. You now have the permission to be bold, provocative and even slightly outrageous if that feels authentic to you. Tell people what you think. Say what’s on your mind. Stand up for yourself and what you believe it. Own it, knowing that you now have a pair of major balls in your possession to lean on (they are brass- lean away).
The only catch is that you can only borrow them temporarily. Then you need to get your own pair.
Here you go:
Do you have slutty tendencies? I think many of us have been there at one point in our business (or perhaps even personal) lives. Being a business slut is giving your time, money, effort, services, etc. away- over and over again- for free or at a significant amount less that it’s worth because you don’t value yourself and what you bring to the table.
How many times have you discounted what you do and offered to provide something that you should be paid for totally for free?
Now, I am not talking about helping out a friend, colleague or even stranger from time to time (in a business sense, of course- get your mind out of the gutter!). I advocate being generous, but there is a difference between generosity and slut-hood. I am talking about not knowing where to draw the line. I am talking about giving away a free scoop of ice cream (or a frickin’ hot fudge sundae) even after the free pink spoonful worth. I am talking about discounting your services because of a lack of confidence and purpose. Those are the hallmarks of a true business slut.
Sluts make life hard on everyone because they set a dangerous precedent.
If these words don’t inspire you, watch the following video “Pay the Writer” by Harlan Ellison (which I was alerted to via Twitter by Jason Seiden via @frankroche of ifractal) who will hopefully reinforce why those who are willing to give “it” away create a tougher playing field for the rest of us.
Will you stop being a slut?
Listen to the archive of Carol Roth’s appearance with leadership expert and author of How To Self Destruct Jason Seiden on his Blog Talk Radio podcast. Link here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Seiden/2009/09/17/Up-or-Out-Do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-run-or-start-a-business
