(the job that will make us a household name like Windex or Brillo or ... uh, wait, not them, like Martha, yeah that's better like Martha or the project that will keep us busy with something challenging for awhile)
the problem with waiting is that it leaves us ... well, waiting. It is a pretty reactive place to be.
And I am not talking about going out and making it happen in this post
(although yes, we do have to do that sometimes, although maybe not as often as you might think)
but about just taking the job that you have in your hand, the one that you have done before, the one that you could do in your sleep, the one that is on your work table right now and making that job THE job.
Get out of that ego place that tells us that we are not doing enough - be joyful about that bird in hand.
*bird in the hand print by Tammy Olson
NOTE - I wrote this post several weeks ago and for some reason never posted it. I pulled it out today because I still feel it is valid and timely and hope someone will resonate with it.
The truth for me these days, is that there are so many bigger things going on in the world that talking about business right now feels very small potatoes
(as my grandma would have said - sniffle)
and I feel a certain sense of disconnect with it. At least in terms of posting about growing our businesses - what I really want to be writing about is this incredible opportunity we have as creators to be helping the world evolve into something better ... and maybe I will ....
xo
10 comments
Well, I am happy you posted this. It's easy to get lost in the grand scheme wondering when you opportunity will arrive. Off to my work bench now to do the small things that will make me happy today. Thank for validating that.
yeah- I needed to hear it today, too :)
"The truth for me these days, is that there are so many bigger things going on in the world that talking about business right now feels very small potatoes..."
Yes, definitely this! And not just in the world, but right here in my own little corner of the world. (when you have little bitty kids, no one tells you how incredibly all consuming the teenage years will be... and how much you will have to LOVE being in your car 6 hours a day!)
I'm finding I want different things for my business than I did even a year ago. I enjoy much more taking the time to make each single thing instead of trying to come up with how to sell more - then trying to figure out how to make more of everything I sold. Maybe it's the impending holidays that have me a little off kilter, I don't know.
I do know though, that I'm heading out to the workshop to make something cool now, and will think about this post today. Thanks for posting it!
I totally agree Julie - and those with bitty kids at least get the hugs instead of the eye rolls - the world (big and small) and our part in it right now are too important and I agree it is the pending holidays because every year I am determined to do more with them (whatever the hell that means) a maker without time to make a life - we accomplish nothing with that ....
Get out of that ego place that tells us that we are not doing enough - be joyful about that bird in hand.
<-----
This definitely resonated with me, Cat!
The fact is, there are so many big, wonderful opportunities for creatives right now...and so many people doing such cool, amazing things that wouldn't have been possible for an independent artist or small biz even ten years ago...
It's easy to feel like what others are doing is VERY BIG while we'e still Quite Small Indeed.
It makes it easy to take for granted that what we're doing is AMAZING, right where we are, and how very blessed we are to be able to do it.
I think as creatives we'll always be wanting to do more...but we should not let it overshadow our ability to see and acknowledge the greatness of RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
Thanks for this and for the good necklace sales last month....both put a smile on my face!
I'm pretty sure that anything you have to say will be magnificent so speak your mind and we will listen. ♥
But I loved the original post too about recognizing what we have 'right now' and running with it...
You could say I've had an ah-ha moment recently. :)
back to work! ♥
Hi Cat,
I'm so glad you posted this too! I was going through my daily blog reading list today and saw my little girl piece with your post! I had to blink a few times, shake my head, furrow my brows and then reread what I was looking at to make sure I was seeing things correctly! Wow! Thank you so much. What a nice surprise on a day when I didn't feel like I was accomplishing much.
Thanks again!
Tammy
I have to tell you that I am decidedly happy these days. 6 months later and I haven't quite finished my move, my creative time is way down, my work hours are too long, and almost everyone I work with hates the job. I, however, think it is a great opportunity, I get to talk to wonderful people, I am learning an incredible amount, and I see a path to better things in a year or two.
One of the lessons I have learned in the last few years is that happy people have down times, but no matter what is going on in their lives they find the moments that bring joy, make them laugh, and brighten their eyes. I am blessed to be happy.
"what I really want to be writing about is this incredible opportunity we have as creators to be helping the world evolve into something better ... and maybe I will ...."
You already are!!! An inspirational piece of writing. Thank you :)
aw- thank you anon - you made my morning!
Post a Comment