I cannot believe it is December already. This year has flown by, had plenty of challenges, and been amazing, all at the same time.
As I come into this month, closing a year of business, I am reevaluating many things, making goals for myself, and looking at what I learned.
Here are some things I have learned:
And I don't just mean the hours you put into it. The blogs, the giveaways, the networking......I love all these things, and thankfully they don't feel like work, though they do take lots of time....................but it’s not just that, its mentally challenging. It is so easy to be fearful, you have to constantly reassure yourself that this is what you want, that you are good enough, and, in the end, sometimes, you need some good old fashioned support from friends to remind you too.
2. Focus is everything
I have Artist ADD (well, I really do think I have this, my focus is not far from the button above in most areas of my life). I want to try every new thing out there. Dabble here, dabble there. It's very hard for me to focus on one area too long. I need to be a little more scheduled and focus on one or two tasks at a time.
Here are some goals for next year:
1. Have a money management plan
*sigh* I could spend everything I earn on new tools and supplies. This year, I need to put certain percentages aside for taxes, for next year’s shows, to pay off debt, to pay bills, ect. I plan to only buy what is absolutely necessary as of next year. And to use the extensive supplies I have acquired over many years.
2. To keep better records
TAXES- UG! Don’t get me started! Now, I save everything and log it and do well with it, but it could be easier if I did it more often, and in more detail. I didn't major in accounting for a reason.
3. To keep pushing myself to try new things
I submitted to a couple magazines this year. It was a lot of work, but I loved it. I actually love writing, so it was fun for me, and I plan to submit to more magazines this year. It’s also a great learning experience. I even plan on trying other new things that scare the stuffing outta me.........like getting my work into shops!
So, as the year closes, I am happy.
It’s been a huge learning experience for me. The cyber world has opened new doors. Being a part of LMAJ has given me much confidence, and encouragement (these gals are great!!!) and I think I am ready to tackle another year.
Thanks to all of you who have encouraged me, given me tips, and supported me on this journey.
Your turn, where do your thoughts go as the year comes to a close??
11 comments:
Staci, I have many of these same goals, but I don't yet have a plan on how to implement them. Promoting myself is number one on my list for the coming year.
You go girl! I think people are already starting to know who you are- thaks to your big winning streak, that alone starts to get your name out there:) Good luck!!
I hear you on that entire list. Sometimes I think though that I need to try less new things sometimes and focus on crafting a more cohesive line to market because I have been on a playing spree since I retired a couple of years ago and needed that freedom. My soul is now nagging at me to challenge myself somehow now beyond the play and I'm waiting and listening for how it will manifest.
Thanks for your thought provoking post.
xoxo Kim
PS, I must have missed which author of LMAJ wrote this. can you tell me please?
OK, now I see in the comments that it's Staci. Please disregard my query, Thanks!
You are not alone, Staci. We all face the same things. As I try to move from a 20 plus career as a lawyer to designing jewelry, I have the same fears, goals. One thing I do have though is an L.Lm. in Taxation! That means once I earned my Juris Doctor degree, I stayed in law school for two more years studying nothing but taxation. I loved it! So, I don't mind the tax part (I guess that is my left brain) but what gives me joy in my heart is making jewelry that makes someone else happy. Rarely do I make someone else happy as an attorney.
Unfortunately, this year my life went in a different direction altogether and once things died down, I found it very difficult to get back into bead making. I started to create more jewelry. I was asked to be in a magazine that I had actually planned on submitting one piece for. I'm psyched about that. I've loved watching LMAJ audience grow. I hope to just have a better year, particularly for my grown children, in 2012. I'll be happy to say good-bye to 2011.... That sounds kind of scrooge-like I know :o( :o)
MaryAnn
PS I did make beads last week and this.... and the wood-fired beads came out INCREDIBLY awesome and I've tried out some new glazes that I will be opening the kiln to when I get home today.... You know what.... I like making them too :o) Guess the break was needed.
Great post Staci, it's all so true. I am still searching for a program of some kind to keep track of my components, I know there must be some way to do that out there that I just haven't found.
Hi Staci...i love your inspiring goals...that is what i need to do is set some goals but i had to laugh at the #2...that could not be me more if i had not written it myslf LOL..i think i have artist add all the way...i love so many things and want to try them all i get overwhelmed... but i have found i love working with wire and metal the best and adding mostly "artbeads" and handmade components to my creations and in my neck of the woods i don't even have one jewelry supply store so...i started blogging in March from a blog i found in Stringing magazine and was so excited to find all of these amazing creaters with the same things in common as me and to share with everyone my life & creations...it hasn't worked out quite the way i had hoped...one thing after another kept putting a kink in things...one thing for sure though i have met the most wonderful people and found so many amazing components to work with... these past 9 months has had its challenges personally and i look forward in the new year (with a new internet connection that is not as slow as molassas in jan.) to really start blogging the way i dreamed about and to share my creations with all of you....good luck with your new set goals and i look forward to following along with you...take care ttfn Lana :)
You are such a talented artist and amazing soul... I'm sure your journey will continue to be more than you've dreamed possible.
Hi Kim,
Staci is the author of this post :o)
MaryAnn
I think I have many of the same goals! One is to be better at the actual business part of it...I know I'm capable of it but I don't particularly....ahem...like it...so I tend to avoid it and slap myself silly later on...Focus is key.
xoxo.
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