Reevalutation v1.1

by Barbara Bechtel

In this post, I talked about ways you could codify your ideas and goals in 2012 by making lists or choosing a word. I'll admit, I'm a vehement list maker. What I'm not good at is actually ticking items off said lists....Ahem...

I tend to write and rewrite the same list several times, each time only checking one or two things off the list before some of the things that I thought so very important when I made said list suddenly were replaced by new, more immediate concerns.

Late last year, I decided to adopt a different kind of list...almost schedule-like but more attuned to my creative process.

I'm a procrastinator. Self-avowed and flag waving! Over the years, I've learned (and am still learning) to embrace this character flaw and try to make it work better for me. I've tried to analyze the reasons why I procrastinate and the actual cause:

What's the reason I've waited to do this so long?

What can I do to improve this lack of action?

In 2012, I want to improve my list making abilities. Rather than make lists of specific tasks, I'm choosing to make lists that work better with my working process.

Here's an example of my old list-making habits:

1) Finish 10 sets of work-in-progress beads on work table.
2) Photo and list beads to Etsy shop.
3) Blog.

Here's an example of my new list-making strategy:

1) Spend 2 hours making beads.
2) Spend 1-2 hours working on my Etsy shop.
3) Take photos documenting my process and write down ideas I have for potential blog posts.

This is something I've been experimenting with that works better with how I work. When presented with tasks, with things I think I HAVE to do or NEED to do, I develop a stigma about finishing them. I've decided that a better approach is to allow myself the freedom to complete the things I want to do in the given time frame and chances are, I will still complete the things I need AND have time for other things...for play and creativity. This is just what I've decided works best for me, of course.

I've also decided to try to adopt a word. Along with my new list-making idea, I've struggled with trying to find one word that I want to work towards. I think I've settled for more of a phrase and a sub-word. The more I think about this word the more I like it..

TENACIOUS

1

a : not easily pulled apart : cohesive <a tenacious metal> b : tending to adhere or cling especially to another substance <tenacious burs>

2

a : persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired <a tenacious advocate of civil rights> <tenacious negotiators>

...I also think about how I will employ this word....how I will infuse it and I started to think about my tendency towards procrastination and I remembered this song, which I love so much! I think, in the past, when I was most tenacious, I would belt this song in my studio and my car and sing it from the tops of my lungs.

SO: my PHRASE for 2012 will be: "TENACIOUS: 525,600 Minutes. How Do You Measure a Year?"

Do you have a favorite word or song that makes you feel like you are your most tenacious?

Barbara Bechtel is a mixed media artist and designer. She blogs regularly at her website Second Surf.

Reevaluation....

via Pinterest

Merry Christmas! and Happy Holidays and best wishes for a happy, creative, and prosperous New Year! Although we're just barely past Christmas, my thoughts are already turning to 2012 and wondering how I can be more creative and infuse my jewelry and my business with better energy in the new year.

Whether you make jewelry as a creative outlet or it is part of your business, it is always appropriate to set some goals or actions for your work as one year comes to a close and another brand new fresh year begins.
Some of us are listmakers, some of us are goal oriented, some of us make lists of short and long term goals, and many more of us have no idea where to even start.

I've compiled some different ideas for making and achieving different goals you may have for your work in 2012.....

1) Make your dream list. List every BIG DREAM you have for your work in 2012. List every big thing that you can think of! Want to write a book? want to enter a large craft show? want to establish an online store? maybe write an article for a magazine or simply submit your work for publication? Make a list and establish a basis for your dreams!

2) From that list, pick 2 dreams. NOW, make two separate goal lists so that you can reach those dreams. What do you need to do to reach those goals?

3) Make tiny lists for those 2 dreams. Make sure it includes every baby step that you need to accomplish those dreams. The steps in your list may be as simple as finding the tools to make that thing you've always wanted to make. Or going online and researching ideas for submissions for magazines....whatever the tiny steps are for reaching your dreams.

4)IMPORTANT: MAKE MANY MORE EVEN TINIER LISTS! WRITE THEM OUT AND MAKE EVEN TINIER LISTS BUT MAKE SURE THAT THEY ALIGN WITH YOUR TINY LISTS AND YOUR 2 BIG DREAMS. It may help you to get a small planner or a sketchbook or journal. Try to block yourself out some time once a week to help you manage the tiny steps.

5) Check your progress each week by seeing how many small steps you have made. Don't worry about the BIG DREAMS yet. Just concentrate on the tiny steps until you've fulfilled a list. If you need to make more lists, go ahead!

Once we break things into manageable bites, we can accomplish great things, even when the task or dream or goal seems insurmountable!

Maybe lists aren't your thing....

Maybe you can pick a WORD for 2012. ONE word that can embody everything you want to accomplish. Picking one word for your year can be a great way to align your work your values in a growing manner even if you're not list oriented!

Make sure if you pick a word, that you keep it at the forefront of everything you work on. You may need to tape it to every surface in your house to keep it in your mind!

CARRY THESE THINGS WITH YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

If you keep a planner or a sketchbook, carry it with you everywhere, even if you don't think you NEED it. If you've chosen a word, tape it to your workspace, your computer monitor, inside your wallet....everywhere. Make your ideas real by keeping REAL, immediate reminders everywhere you go!

I'll be checking up on you throughout 2012 to see how you're doing!

In my next post, I'll show you my lists and words and I'll keep you in check with my progress!

Happy New Year!