Mind Your Business

For years, we have been taught to go to school, get good grades, graduate, and get a good job. If we do these things, so we've been told, life will be grand. A good job with good benefits leads to a nice home for our families and a handsome life after retirement. I believe this was once referred to as living the American Dream. This dream is rooted in creating a sense of security in our lives. But just how secure is it? With more businesses and corporations closing each year, is there any way to guarantee that we will get our piece of the pie?

The only person you can really count on when times get hard, is yourself. This is why we must learn to mind our business. Oh, I don't mean in terms of who's zooming who. I'm talking about owning our own businesses and taking full advantage of all that comes with being an entrepreneur. I can already hear the excuses: I don't have any money to start a business, I need to keep my benefits, I don't have time to start a business, or I don't know anything about  running a business. Trust me friends, you know more than you think you know and you have more resources than you think you have. Not all businesses require start-up costs. There has to be something that you love doing, that you're good at, and if money were no object, you'd do for free. That is where your business begins! We have to learn to create our own opportunities and not be afraid to act on them.

It don't matter who ya is miss (or mister), you can get the business! That's right, everyone is capable of being a business owner in some capacity. Even if you aren't turning a profit immediately, the benefits are undeniable.  A portion of your household expenses become tax deductible, a large portion of your meals become tax deductible, and you can even deduct a lot of your leisure activities as well! Its a no brainer--you just need to start minding your business!

I must admit that I have for a long time I bought into the dream. I went straight to college from high school, straight to grad school from college, and back to graduate school again. Before this year ends, I will have a terminal degree. What an accomplishment! The downside though, is that in my chosen career field, there is also a terminal salary range. In spite of holding a degree that only 2% of the population will ever achieve, the amount of money that I will be able to earn from today until retirement has already been predetermined. That doesn't sound like a dream to me! I've been tricked, hoodwinked, bamboozled! I fell for the okie-doke, better known as the American Dream.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking you to quit your job and relinquish your benefits. We're talking about making smart moves here. What I am telling you is that you should not give all your talents to your boss  in exchange for a salary that is being heavily taxed. Your boss/corporation/government agency is growing financially while you are being sucked dry. And working two jobs is not the answer...that's just double the tax liability! If you've got time to work a second job, you've got time to start a business. Oh, I may not get many "amens" but I know I'm telling the truth. You need to mind your business!

There are several opportunities out there for you to mind your business. Become more open-minded when you are approached with opportunities. Stop thinking that everyone is out to get something from you and begin to look at how you can leverage information for your own benefit.

I hope you've enjoyed our conversation and that you will begin to mind your business.