Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden

There was once a time that many believed that the word golf meant: Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden. Perhaps it was because typically only men played the game in the early days. I am not sure. For whatever reason, there are still people who believe this to be true today. The somewhat sexist past of the game of golf has led to the continued belief in some people that golf does mean Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden. In fact, there are still several clubs that do not allow female members to join.

That was then, this is now?

I'm not going to talk about golf, though. What I am going to talk about today is the prevailing belief that some people still hold onto that business or entrepreneurship is for Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden.

What? Karin, there is no way that this is still a belief. Not now. Not in 2020.

Sorry, folks. The stigma of women in business still persists even today.

Somewhat recent history

I remember being in high school. Yes, I will admit that was 36 years ago (even though it feels like it was yesterday).

We had only a couple of computers in our small rural school at that time. And the only ones that were allowed to use these two computers were the boys!

I was taking a business class and I had to go down to the math room (where one of the two computers was located) and "ask one of the boys to help me."

I wanted to do the assignment myself, but that was not going to happen. I wasn't even allowed to touch the computer without a boy there—supervising me.

Of course, that made me terrified of using computers again for many years.

Now...

Today, the world still seems to have some issues with women owning and operating their own businesses.

Why?

The only answer I have is the lingering belief that women are not capable of running a business This mindset doesn't just affect men, but women, too.

We seem to lack the confidence and faith that we can own, operate and excel at running our own business. (As a side note: When I was looking for a photo to go with this section, I typed in "lack of confidence" and almost all of the photos that showed up were of women!)

Those of us in Wealthy Affiliate do not seem to hold onto this belief, but step outside of WA and see how many women own and operating a business.

I know there are many of us, but the work that we have to do to compete with men can be daunting.

Way back when...

The fact is that women have always run businesses and we have done quite well at it for hundreds or thousands of years.

Many of the ancient writings talk about women who ran their own businesses. There was no fault in this and it was accepted just fine, in fact, it was admired and encouraged.

Pioneer women around the world created their own businesses and sold the products of their labor.

But something happened along the way and suddenly it was not acceptable for a woman to run a business.

Now, again...

Well, I could go on about this, but in a lot of ways, I think it comes down to your personal perception.

If you believe that you can do it, you do it. If you surround yourself with doubt and envelop yourself with people who don't believe that women should run a business, then undoubtedly you will struggle.

But if you believe and you work at it (take action) your chances of success are multiplied many times over!

I believe that I can do it. I also believe that you can, too. Whether you are a gentleman or a lady—I believe that we can all succeed if we work at it.

Greatness Only Laziness Forbidden

So my new anagram is the above: Greatness Only Laziness Forbidden. If we follow that credo, I believe we will make it!

Have a GREAT week, WA family! Be safe and strong and keep on working no matter what gender you identify with!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin 😎