The truth is that I have more ideas than time when it comes to inspiration, but motivation is something different. How do I go from concept to fruition? I am, I confess a natural loafer. I must take after my grandfather because I remember after he retired from a career he seemed to love, he said, "I have done a lot of things in my life... but I am best at doing nothing at all." I was probably 10 years old and I thought, "Yeah, I get it." I really enjoy being creative and busy- I do, but I also tend to get lost along the way. I am the queen of procrastination as well. The loafer and the procrastinator in me can find lots of excuses to do nothing. However, there are those moments when there is a proverbial fire lit under my butt that I find exhilarating and productive. So how do I keep the fire burning? What is the kindling? I find that if I tell someone I'm going to do something, their expectation gives me accountability, and I get up and go.
My customers have expectations and deadlines for me - that's helpful. They call me, they email me, they sometimes text me. I love that they want to buy jewelry that I make. I have a couple of friends who sing me the jingle to a major commercial jewelry franchise, "Your personal jeweler..." They enjoy having a personal jeweler. So I am motivated by my clients. Being a business owner is motivating!
I also really find being involved with the group that this blog carnival is sponsored by. EtsyMetal has a number of challenges going on all the time. The challenges have deadlines, and yes, I procrastinate and I'm sometimes late, but I really want to be a part of them. I was recently given the job of team leader for the challenges, and I thought I should join the blog carnival as part of those duties. So, here I am - motivated to write on my blog, which I've neglected lately. But I am going to find my way back to it and this blog carnival and some of the other challenges I'm working on gets me going!
My Family is a great motivator. They give me encouragement and support. I do NOT want to be a person whose spouse comes home and wonders what I've done all day. My jewelry studio is at home and there can be the temptation to nap instead of work, but I feel a responsibility to my family. My business makes money that contributes to our family's income. Since both of my kids are in school during the day, I have to do something besides housework while they are at school to justify my not having a traditional career. I like being a WAHM (work at home mom) - it gives me the freedom to drive on the kids' field trips, teach their art classes, and be there for them in a way that moms and dads who work traditional jobs struggle to do. Gone is the time of a single family income. It takes two working adults to make it. I know very few housewives who don't contribute to the family economically.
Success helps get me moving too. Presenting something really great is a goal. I know that I shouldn't need the validation of others to feel successful, but I do love it when I wow my clients and my fellow jewelers. They're encouragement and my own internal drive are fantastic motivators.
I love what I do. I've got tons of inspiration. I like the process of going from A to Z with a piece that I'm working on and I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to do it. I owe it to myself to keep it up! I give myself breaks, and try to pace myself so as not to burn out - that's important! Being at home with the studio and a stack of orders comes with a sense of responsibility to not quit - work all the time - but I also have to relax and enjoy it too.
Here's what some other people are saying on the topic of motivation:
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