Lessons

As I deal with two looming deadlines that are coming up at the end of the month, along with a growing to-do list of other miscellaneous items, I've been thinking about the relationship between where I am with this venture vs where I want to be.  I've come to a few conclusions.

So, in no particular order, here is my list of sure-fire ways to shoot-yourself-in-the-foot-and -not -be -successful....

1.  Spend too much time cruising the internet when you are supposed to be working.
       I do spend too much time popping up from my workbench to have a quick cruise through Facebook or my email.  I might poke through Etsy with random searches.  Whatever I'm looking at, it is usually something that can wait.  The world will not end if I don't see what's going on in cyberspace without me right that second.  I think this relates to spending far too much time on my own.

2.  Procrastinate
    This relates to #1 in that I know I am putting off making all those tiny soldered rings, or polishing, or filing something - those tedious jobs that I have to get through.  It's been a lifelong issue with me.  Why work through something at a steady pace when you can stress yourself out with frantic last minute deadlines?  The only time in my life that I didn't put things off was in university.  My professors would hand out the term paper assignments in the first week of class and I would promptly go to the library, take out something like 50 books (anyone remember just how far B Lot is from the UBC library?  Ugh!), and get started.  Yes, I was a studious nerd in those days.  Anyway, along with my resolution this year to start enjoying life in the moment, comes the side benefit of dealing with everything in the now too.  Or as the Nascar fans like to say, (and this pains me), "Git er done!"

3.  Don't market yourself.
    This is a biggie.  But it is difficult when you are on your own in the business.  I know I don't spend nearly enough time promoting Pink Gargoyle.  Word of mouth and exposure at markets can only do so much.  I have very little on Etsy, and don't have all the strong tag words and SEO stuff that I need for my website.  Honestly, I find that very tedious and I'm sure in part that has to do with the fact that I need to learn more about how to do it all better.  I need to get out to more stores, more fashion events - try to broaden my exposure with a larger retail environment, get some press, get my work in some fashion shows.  It all takes time away from being in the studio where I am happiest.  It is an issue of time management, self-confidence, knowledge, and chutzpa.    But not doing it is clearly not working for me.  It is possible to hire PR people to help with the marketing and maybe that is something that needs to be explored if I can't get my butt into gear (see #2).

4.  Be Shy.
    This is a difficult one, and one that I wish would just go away.  I am terribly shy, always have been.  I know I chat with you all at the markets, but it's not easy.  I feel very self-conscious, and worry that I will ramble on, or stumble over my words, or... or....Honestly, just making a cold phone call to a store or contact takes ages to work up the gumption.  I do believe in my jewelry and do believe that I have something worthwhile to say with the art that I do, but getting that message out there - stomach knotting anxiety.  I'm great on email but that doesn't really deal with the issue - at some point, I have to talk to a real person.  This one, I don't have a solution for right now.

There are more things I can add to this list, but as you see I am working heavily on issues 1,2, and 3 right now.  I need to go sit down at the workbench and not get up again for several hours.  And as for #4 - I don't know - just please remember that I am not anti-social, unfriendly or a snooty B - and thank you for taking the time to talk to me.

Cheers,
Christine.