This was the view outside our balcony this morning as I wrapped up work on the 32nd week of the Empire Building Kit…beautiful, if not a little bleak. Bleak summed up my mood as well, so I found the wisdom of profiled Emperor-in-training Jamie Ridler particularly apropos. Regarding building your own business and following your dream she said…
- You don’t have to know everything before you start; in fact, you can’t
- It will likely take longer than you expect
- Let people help
- Do it “your way” not “the way”
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
- Celebrate
Reading this list was a good wake up call; in fact, maybe Jamie was thinking of me when she wrote these reminders! I’m not patient with myself, nor am I always kind to myself, either. (This week has seen several teary outbursts of “I’m a failure!”, as well as sleepless nights where I toss and turn worrying about everything that could go wrong in my life.) Morning comes and I plunge myself back into work, hardly allowing myself do-nothing-time or, God forbid, a nap.
To be honest, I’m not good with being uncomfortable, either. As much as I hate to admit it, I’d rather go with the “devil I know” than risk failing at pursuing my dreams. Right now, in a way, I’m actually blessed that the economy stinks, since my easy fall-back options are just not available to me at this point.
Celebrate? What’s that? I hail from the school of “do your chores first, then you can play.” Problem is, my chore list seems to be infinite. So, too, are my expectations.
And, guess what? I’m also not so good with asking people to help when it really matters. So, with an eye towards developing an ever increasing sense of awareness and personal growth (balls?), not to mention business growth, I’m going out on a limb to ask for your help here. Helping with any one of the things below will give me a good reason to celebrate. Please…
♥ (mark as a favorite) my new shop on Etsy
Share my shop link with someone you think might be interested
Spread the word about the 20% discount (good until 1/15/11) on all jewelry at joanamiranda.etsy.com (Type in HAPPYHOLIDAYS for the discount code.)
Subscribe to my blog, or to my newsletter
Tell a friend about this blog, or my designs, or my jewelry
or,
write me and just say hi!
(If you don’t have time for any of the above, thank you for stopping by anyway.)
And to those of you who have commented on my posts, or written me emails, or letters, BLESS YOU! Your support means the world to me.
Joana,
I stopped by your website and saw so many new designs. They are simply stunning. So many beautiful designs! The CAD renderings are so striking and realistic.
I posted a link to your site on my FB page, and “favorited” too. I am a very enthusiastic supporter!
Keep up the inspired work!
Bless you, Pam! You have been a supporter all along and I’m so grateful.
I’m currently working on revising my website, so you’ve caught it in a bit of “limbo land.” But hopefully it should be a little more streamlined soon.
Any chance you are coming this way soon? Would be great to see you again! You could help me celebrate (friendship, dreams, trying to get somewhere, just having fun, etc.)
🙂 Joana
ahem…to which type of “balls” were you referring? 🙂 sorry to read of your teary outbursts. please excuse the one-handed typing with sparse use of shift key. i have Anton here in a sling, falling asleep. i LOVE the picture of the view from your balcony–guess i’m into bleak! i like the advice from Jamie. i’m rooting for you and hang in there! been driving by “our” Panera a lot lately…too bad we can’t go there and cry over some hot beverages…
Hi Erin,
Yes, I could certainly use a gab and cry with you at “our” Panera’s…guess you’ll have to come to NY so that we can find a new hang out spot, though. I forced Andy to take down the Christmas tree today (actually, I did it while he was gone since it makes him so sad to see it go), but the neighbors across the street still have their large tree up so we can enjoy a tree from afar. The view from our balcony IS pretty. We benefit from looking at buildings with a little more character. Poor neighbors – they have to look at our giant ugly brick rectangle of a building.
Miss you and thanks for all of the support!
Joana
Sorry you’re feeling down, Joana!! Maybe you and the hubbo need to eventually move to Brooklyn or something, so you can start soldering again! Meanwhile enjoy the city, and meet people (as Iknow you’re doing)!
Hi Helen,
Aack, not the “M” word! That’s only what we’ve been doing all fall;-) Thanks for writing and cheering me up, though (and for adding me to your circle on Etsy.) Some days the turkeys get you down…it was a week of that for me recently.
But I’m soldiering onward, since standing in place doesn’t really suit me.
Hope you are well. Congratulations on reaching your 50th sale!
Joana