Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

A platitude is a saying that everyone seems to know, and that everyone sort of just assumes is true without thinking about it. It`s different from a cliche in that platitudes usually don`t really mean much of anything. They`re almost an automatic response someone makes to something, requiring no actual thought on the matter.

"It`s as plain as the nose on your face!"

People hear this and infer that they must be sort of dumb---they`re not seeing the obvious, and they feel a bit stupid as a result. But is that true? How obvious IS the nose on your face----to You!?

We`ve had a recent post about "solo-preneurs," and how contemplating that expression caused our community member some axiety and trepidation. Isn`t it a similar type of anxiety you`d feel if someone scoffed and told you that what they were saying was as "plain as the nose on your face?"

Microwave philosophy is where people try to substitute actual reasoned analysis with a 10-second, instant solution. It`s using a series of empty platitudes, worn-out expressions, and thoughtless illustrations instead of actual thinking. But in today`s world, so many people buy into this type of analysis, it`s causing them trouble.

What others of these kinds of platitudes have you heard? Why are they empty and meaningless? Have you bought into such an expression, only to discover you wasted a lot of time with it?

"The customer is always right." That`s another one that`ll lead you down the garden path into a swamp. No, the customer isn`t always right! If they`re asking for something you don`t produce, should you change your entire company mission? If a customer at MacDonald`s complains because they wanted a slice of pizza, is that customer right?

"Most businesses fail in the first year." Okay, that`s probably a true statistic, but does that automatically mean YOUR business idea will fail? Should you just abandon even trying it out because the odds are overwhelming that it WILL fail? It`s a statistic, not a fact of reality!

And yet how many hopeful entrepreneurs don`t even get started because they`ve bought into this particular platitude?

Here`s a musical expression of how Microwave Philosophers can ruin your life. The song is "Mr. Tanner," by Harry Chapin, for those of you who haven`t ever heard it. (The engineering quality sucks, but the lyrics and music still come across with a lot of power.)

Think back over your life: have you fallen victim to platitudes? Which ones?

My initial fear was based on failure. I hesitated to go forth with my business idea for quite some time due to the notion that it wont be successful, the area of business was over saturated with this service, the competition, etc. It really had a paralyzing effect although the idea lingered on a daily basis.

Finally, I thought to myself that I can be the one who makes it - I would never know unless I gave it a shot. After all, my business is not like every other business in the same field. I forged ahead with the idea and now I am seeing the growth of the business. This is not to say that I do not face challenges - I do but somehow I am able to work them out. Some days are better than others but isn`t that the case in life?

I would encourage others to do their due diligence. Follow your heart most importantly you will never know unless you try.



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Take each day, mold it and make it yours.......

http://www.solutionshealthnwellness.com

And for those sick of those inspirational posters, these folks are here to give it to you straight!

But seriously, I`ve seen both people who freeze with fear of starting (and perhaps failing) a business, and those who think it will be a piece of cake. I always try to encourage budding entrepreneurs to take measured risks, and always have a backup plan.



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I was thinking of some other platitudes that are either meaningless, totally not helpful, or just plain drivel:

• Nothin` you can do about it, that`s just the way things are.
• We`re from the government, and we`re here to help you!
• Just get over it!
• I guess we`ll never know for sure.
• Go big or go home.
• If you work hard, you`ll be rewarded.
• Ya can`t fight City Hall.

:-) Any others?

It takes money to make money - that may be the case in some situations but it is not absolutely true.



-------------------------

Take each day, mold it and make it yours.......

http://www.solutionshealthnwellness.com

Oh yah...that`s a good one, BestHealth! Excellent...! In fact, thinking about it, there`s another one:  No Pain, No Gain.

That`s pretty ridiculous, too, when you get right down to it.

:-) Excellent article!

It`s true that more often than not, mindless platitudes are used as excuses or to rationalize doing nothing. But what bothers me even more is when we buy into a platitude! When we accept that, by gosh, there`s some truth here, and so we change our life in accordance with the platitude.

Going back to the nose on the face thing: How many kids become fearful of speaking their mind or opinions because they inadvertently buy into the belief that they`re dumb? They can`t see what someone else thinks is obvious, so they just stop talking.

Here`s another inane bit of drivel: "You need to understand the shades of gray; things aren`t always black and white." Unh-hunh...they`re not, eh?:-)

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Rosanna Tussey
Owner
New Mexico Candle Co.
http://www.nmcandleco.com

LOL! That`s a great one... :-) I hadn`t thought of it, but now I`m thinking of the other one: "I guess ya just never know...!"

Sure you do! After whatever it is happens, then you know. It`s a nice excuse not to think about anything, or to replace today`s common, "Whut...EHverrr!"

There are two sides to every story.