Whenever I do anything online I put it up against what I call “the Facebook test”. You see, many times we get in a rush to make money; sometimes doing things that you necessarily might not want your mom or best friend to see.
So, we take the whole “the Internet is anonymous” theory and throw something together, most of the time being lazy about it, trying to find something that may stick. In my opinion that is a faulty way to build a business. Really, that is no way to building business at all. You want to build a business that demands respect and builds authority for your name or brand.
Not every idea is going to be a home run, and it does not need to be perfect before it is released. However, it ALWAYS needs to be something you are not ashamed of.
So, if you don’t want those closest to you knowing what you are doing, then you are probably not doing the right thing.
The Facebook Test
In short this test is simple… Are you willing to put it on Facebook for all of your friends to see. If you are embarrassed by what you are doing and would not want your friends to see it on your wall, you should not be doing it.
Anonymity is a great thing (for some and the downfall of others) and there are many people building unbelievable brands and businesses using pseudonyms. However, the difference is those that are successful are building a brand and reputation around that pseudonym. They are not embarrassed by it or ashamed of it.
I am very blessed to be married to an amazing woman who has an awesome family. And if I had to pick one thing that her family has taught me it is this…
Proverbs 22:1 A great name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Click To Tweet This Verse)
Money is not everything and I have yet to hear of a person asking for their money and possessions at their deathbed. They want to be surrounded by the people they know and love. The people that love them back. The people that respect them.
Everything you do creates a legacy around your name and brand. It is up to you to keep that name as pristine as possible.
Now, the shocking reality of how this post actually came to fruition…
I used to make it a habit to do things that I was not particularly proud of. I did not want people to know what I was doing and how I was doing it. Not because I wanted to keep the secrets to myself. But, because I was ashamed of the things I was doing.
Luckily, the things I did were not detrimental to my reputation. However, the things I was doing are not acceptable to me anymore. We all make mistakes and no one is perfect. However, we can all do our best to build a great name that people respect and trust.
