The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines self-respect as:
1: a proper respect for oneself as a human being
2: regard for one’s own standing or position
I come across the term myself most often when I’m about to set off on some chore or other and my wife asks, “Are you going out like that? You should have more self-respect.”
She has a point. I’m sometimes a very scruffy dresser, particularly at weekends. My most comfortable clothes and shoes are generally old. Sometimes very old.
Last year a young man at a local store stopped scanning my groceries half way through, just to check that I had enough money to pay for them. I’m guessing it was because, judging by my scruffy weekend clothes, he thought I was down to my last few dollars.
That said, I don’t make the same impression professionally.
Let me give you an example.
The life of a freelancer isn’t always easy.
I have written about this before, but as it’s early in the year I wanted to tackle the subject again.
If you look back over the work you have done as a freelance writer or copywriter over the last year, you can probably identify one or two jobs that stand out from the rest.
As freelancers we like to keep busy.