I belong to an awesome team--The Estybloggers. We have a writing carnival every two weeks. The current question is: Now that it's the beginning of a new year, what goal do you have for your business that you hope to achieve in 2011?
Before I reveal my goal, you--my reader--need some background material. Well, it can be somewhat like debris, the "stuff "of my essence but it has a point.
I started blogging in November of 08. It's been a good experience, although it has it's ups and downs. I originally started on this journey for two reasons:
1) I wanted to have an excuse to make myself write something everyday, as I would eventually like to write a book or two. It was an exercise in staying in the writing craft. (I did do a little bit of creative writing with my Abby story in the blog last year.)
2) Also, because I love creativity, I wanted to have a platform to showcase my own craft business handiwork and the handiwork of other obviously talented artists.
Over the last two years, I find that I have languished and stagnated, in my writing here on the blog and in my creativity in my business. So, I took a little hiatus from it all during the holidays thinking about what I wanted to do for the next part of this journey. I needed to focus----I was not clear on anything! Everything had become just so much routine! The spark and crackle was gone!
During my break, I tossed around several ideas; a possible new emphasis for my blog; OR starting an additional blog, either for the purpose of introducing a concept for a new brick and mortar business within the next year; OR starting a new blog and separating my creative writing from the craft business stuff; AND closing one of my three shops and starting again with an new product--not jewelry. I guess you could say that I have bandied about my creativity like I would a little hacky sack ball.
I started going thru all my blog posts, re-reading and looking with a new eye. (Actually, I am still in this process--there's a lot of reading material there!) To my surprise, I found that I had been true to my purpose--"writing about creativity, inspiration and family". Although true to mission, I had lost my vision, my passion, because I had been running down the same grooves in the road for an extended period of time. I had been lulled into an unconcerned mode of operation. Everyday was more of the same which stifles creativity!
I could go on, but I need to finish this post and get back to the blog carnival question. What goal do I have for this next portion of the journey? I will finish my introspection, it can't be rushed. I do intend to bring into focus all the little details of my essence, create a new vision and decide which areas to keep and which to wave goodbye. Success must be specific and have determined focus, and . . . . I want to be successful! I will continue to write about this little journey, I hope you will stay with me ("not lulled into an unconcerned mode") and enjoy the details of the journey!
Happy Creating!
10 comments:
Brill post!
Why not just jump in and start writing one of those books? :-)
it's a good idea to step back once in a while and take a look at your goals and mission. Good for you. I know it's hard to let go of some things, to make room for others. {:-D
The rush of Christmas and the silence of winter do bring out deep thoughts for me as I enjoy family times and quiet times. It's a good time to search the soul and seek where He wants us to go! Blessings on your journey =)
It is good to take a break and reevaluate your work. You have also been under a lot of stress and I would imagine that it can be tough to feel creative when you have other things on your mind. I look forward to seeing what you decide.
Good luck! So what would you like to write a book about?
Its great to look at old works with a new perspective.
I've also tried to decide what I want to focus on for my shop as well as my life.
Good luck with deciding which route(s) to take for this year.
It's a great thing to re-visit what you're doing online, especially if you say you've lost the spark!
Maybe I should do this carnival, too. I've been blogging since '06 just to have a place to share my creations with a bigger world than my small town (feeling lonely here!) and it's been fun.. but turning into a routine, too. Guess I'll have to figure out what I"m doing too.
RoseWorks--I've started a play and not finished, I want to do a legacy book with my husband for my kids/grandkids and I want to do a fiction piece that parallels my extended family. Thanks for asking.
Tamroll--Routine is not bad, as long as it has a purpose! I just got confused about mine. Processing now, though.
JacBer- Well . . . I just think I might do that!!!
Good luck!!!
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