I heard a story on NPR this morning, The Entrepreneurial Spirit Burns Bright In Detroit, that made me think about the fact that in 2009 everyone is an “entrepreneur” and a “CEO”. I’m a CEO (hey, I’ve got a website), you’re a CEO (you’ve probably sold something on Craig’s List), your brother, your dad, even the kid down the street is a CEO. Your momma’s so 2009, she’s a CEO.

The thing about providing a service or starting a business is that it doesn’t mean that you’re a CEO…or even very innovative. Innovation is as innovation does. At my previous job, when I read CEO or Principal on a designer’s resume, I tried to be objective and not balk immediately—not until I looked at the designer’s website or interviewed them. If you’re going to announce that you’ve had a high level executive position, you’d better be able to back it up. I’ll be completely honest and say that I would not be able to back up a CEO title. I’m a Principal.

So as not to be a complete stick in the mud, I will say that starting a small business and providing jobs in a down economy when you can’t find a job yourself is great. However, I think there are probably an overabundance of “CEOs” and “entrepreneurs” in America right now. Which is understandable—because one can only post job applications and search for job openings for so long. But is the next step really starting a business? Yes!

In The Entrepreneurial Spirit, the “entrepreneur” being interviewed says, “If you want to make something of yourself in this day and age, you have to hustle.” I first heard the word hustle being used in this context by Gary Vaynerchuck. Yes, we do have to hustle. But we also need a strategy; we need to research; we need to think. Or we could just sit on the couch and play Xbox all day.

Becoming a CEO is more than just calling yourself one. Being entrepreneurial does involve actualizing innovative ideas. Calling yourself a CEO and working hard and hustling to fill time is just as worthless as doing nothing. I vote for doing nothing. At least you’ll get somewhere with Xbox.