ITS BUSINESS

In spite of his or her desire to bend or ignore them, I shouldn't have to remind a professional of the rules, procedures, and laws concerning his or her trade-- but I can, and will. Thanks internet. You are good, and your information (a great deal of it accurate) endureth forever.

Don't mess with people who had to use weighty dictionaries and encyclopedias, GO to a library, and learn the Dewey Decimal System. We KNOW how to find information, remember and comprehend what we read, and spew it with emphasis.

Don't ever think, when your business schemes fail, you can bully someone into submission by proxy. Your proxy will get his or her face cracked, too. Information is a powerful weapon even when wielded by those perceived to be insignificant. 

Though some labor under the misapprehension that niceness is synonymous with clueless-ness, weakness, or ignorance, they should not--and make a grave mistake when they do. Bullying, intimidation, fast-talking, and other shady, snake-like behavior only works on those who are neither aware of their rights, nor the responsibilities that accompany them. Further, they are not aware of the penalties of relaxing or dismissing the rules.

Endeavoring to get over on nice people (who read) is the quickest way to see smiles turn upside-down. Being pleasant is cool, but as long as they have THEIR business hats on, you keep YOURS on, too. I prefer being nice, agreeable, helpful, and accommodating. I detest drama, confrontation, unnecessary competition, and stress, but I've learned that business-- conducted well-- with integrity--is not a bad thing. 

There comes a time, when keeping quiet is not prudent. You may have to remind, or even read to people the basics you have learned--basics that they, as professionals, SHOULD already know and should be sharing with you.

You can always tell when people perceive you to be a pushover. They might as well launch into baby-talk and hand you a teaspoon of strained peas. Perhaps it's the way people have always treated you, but you have to own that you allowed it. You don't, however, have to continue.

In business--whatever it is--don't get comfortable. Read. Research. Haste makes waste. There's a danger in being too familiar and casual. Be careful and discerning about who's in your ear. Be wise. Don't get weary or allow yourself to be influenced by impatient or uninformed individuals. Don't be overwhelmed by pushy individuals. That's when careless and even costly mistakes are made. Sometimes, you simply have to tell people to back off. When you're armed with the right information, they WILL.

Document, ask questions, and take names. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. 

Whatever is right, whatever is true, whatever is standard, whatever is acceptable, whatever is above board, whatever is legal--think on these things. 

If they don't respect the tenets of the business in which they are engaged, that's on them. However, don't YOU take a nap.

#integritymatters 

#readingisfundamental 

#keepyoureyesopen