Startup Toolbox

Archive for March, 2010

We come into this world a unique creation.

But,

I’m sure all of us have a story about the day we realized that it wasn’t OK to be different. Maybe someone made fun of us wearing our rainbow colored tights every possible time we could sneak it past our mother. Or maybe we started wearing glasses at a young age and were gifted with the moniker of 4 eyes. Or maybe we liked books instead of sports. Or maybe we had curly hair that simply would not behave no matter what we did.

All it took was one finger pointing, one sing song taunt, one snickering laugh behind a cupped hand whispering in someone else’s ear with glances in our direction. We learn at an early age that blending in is good and standing out is bad.

A wise few buck the norm and cling to their individuality. But for most of us, the message is reinforced over and over. It’s impressed on us in grade school and high school and college. Even in the workplace conform to corporate cultures and dictates.

But,

When we decide to make the leap into owning our own business, it’s time to tap into our uniqueness again. We need to recognize our differences and turn them into assets and ways to connect with our clients on a deeper level.

We need to use our quirks and isms to help us stand out from the crowd instead of blending in with the other companies in our field.

Hold up a mirror to your life and find the things you’ve been trying so long to push down and start pulling them out – Every joy, every heartache, every guilty pleasure, every passion, everything that makes you smile or cry. Tap into the unique creation that you came into this world as.

Not only will you connect with your clients better, but you will find more joy in your work than you thought possible.

Happy Entreprenuring!

Katherine