On Change
My old cel phone totally croaked and I was without for about 2 weeks. It was time to go shopping.
At first, I had planned to simply stay with the same 'ol and find a new battery. However the battery was as expensive as a new phone, plus hard to find being an older model. So I allowed my eyes to wander towards something new and scary. It took me all of 5 minutes to make the decision. It was time for a change.
I didn't go into the change lightly. I had thought about it for quite some time. I was frustrated with the old technology not being able to take me where I wanted/needed to go. Fate offered me the perfect excuse to make the change. But it still took a leap of faith. It was still hard to do!
And boy oh boy, has this thing tested me in all things electronics. While it's easy to use, setting it up to talk to the web has not come easy for me. I strugged for quite some time until I realized, what I was doing was NOT working. I needed to change my strategy and call on someone that DID know what the score was with this doodad. He had me going in a few minutes. I suffered on my own for nearly 2 weeks. Wow.
Are you seeing abit of a pattern here? I resist change to a degree. While at times it's an exciting leap in a new direction, along with change comes new learning curves. And learning curves can cost money and eat up a bunch of time.
But think about it for one moment. If you are implementing a new strategy in your life, how will you ever get there if you don't make some changes to incorporate your new direction?
A friend's quote - "Be today what you wish to be tomorrow."
If you've been implementing the series, you now have before you quite a list of things you enjoy doing. And it's my bet, something on that list is staring you down hard. You're fighting the possible due to the change in your life that would have to occur if you moved forward on it.
So, change your thinking. Make a change!
Look at your list or think of something you'd love to be doing but are resisting. And think of the changes required in order for you to fullfill your next step. I challenge you to write them down.
If you don't change your strategy now, you won't progress in this. Ask me how I know.
Change. It's so hard yet so easy. Yet the only way to change things is to change.
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Instead of homework, I'm going to ask for your participation on the spot in the comments.
1. What is that one thing you so very badly would like to do?
2. What changes do you have to implement in order to make it happen?
Don't overthink it right now. Just wing it and comment right away. It's my gut feeling that we all know what we love, but we are simply holding ourselves back. Putting it into words may help bring reality to your situation.
Join me in the comments! I'll be adding mine too. :)
What I want
ReplyDelete- a career in decorating
What I have to do first
- get better with photos = load photoshop and start!
- continue to grow in building skills = call on others to help
So my homework for this week? Load photo shop and make a phone call. Am I struggling with these new changes. YES. It is HARD. But it is also necessary if I wish to accomplish something new.
So I'm now going to write this little list down and stick it on my fridge so I get nagged every time I look at it. I can only remove it when I've completed the to-dos. Why not try the same?
Your turn. :)
Funky Junk Donna
1. What is that one thing you so very badly would like to do?
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to start a business. I've always dreamed of opening my own coffee shop. A casual place where people can get together and chat and just hang out. I would bake fresh treats and host poetry readings the whole 9 yards!
I'd also love to get my creativity back. I had a baby 2 months ago and was on bed rest for 13 weeks before that. It feels like my brain has turned off! I need to figure out how to get it going again. I miss writing and dancing! Gotta get back to it!
2. What changes do you have to implement in order to make it happen?
Find a tree that grows money for the coffee shop. :) Probably make a plan and set a goal (i.e. in 5 years have start up capital saved, etc). In the meantime I could research how to start a business, learn more about the coffee shop biz (re-read all the entrepreneurship books I have), connect with coffee shop owners and talk to them about what it's REALLY like.
As for creativity - I don't know. Maybe set some time each day just for me to write in a journal or do a writing exercise. Any other suggestions out there?
Erin, awesome!!
ReplyDeleteCoffee shop - what can you do? Go buy yourself a fancy dancy coffee maker and a coffee cookbook thingy and start at home. Figure out what works/doesn't work. That is easy to do with a new baby at home too!
Creativity back - oh I so get it! Just go forth and do something that you love. Be productive with whatever you love to do. You WILL be inspired to do it again and again!
Writing - start a rambling type of blog. If you are a writer of sorts much like myself, my stories need to come out on occasion. So what if the blog doesn't get many hits? It's about putting it out there. Then when it does get hits, it'll further inspire you to enhance your material, practice, research, etc. I personally have 3 blogs. (crazy I know!!) One for home renos, one off topic and this decorating one. I NEVER have nothing to say on any given topic it seems. :)
Love it and just do it. One baby step at a time. Thanks for your comment! Anyone else have advice for Erin, shoot!
What I want? I really want to go through the nursing program and become a nurse. I've been wanting to do it for years but make excuses why I cannot.
ReplyDeleteWhat changes I need to make? I need to finish taking the prerequisites. I need to enroll in school and re-arrange my schedule to do this. I need to get organizied. I need to change my routine.
What I think I need to start with? I need to clean house and get organized, clear out the clutter and get everyone in a routine.
By the way, you would be an a AWESOME decorator!
1. What is that one thing you so very badly would like to do?
ReplyDelete-lose weight and be healthy
-write more often
2. What changes do you have to implement in order to make it happen?
-to lose weight I need to set exercise goals, realistic ones, and stick to them. Including getting to sleep on time and waking up on time. Plus I need to eat better. I barely eat at all now and that's not healthy!
-to write more I need to set a time to sit down at the computer just to write, no internet, no blogs, no games, just writing. I need to do this every day/every other day/whenever I set the time and stick to it, even if I sit at the computer for 30 minutes and type nothing. Plus I need to clean up my computer desk so I will actually want to it there.
Thanks for doing this pasions series, I really enjoy it.
~Ashlee
Wow, I have been reading your series for the last couple of weeks. You are so inspiring and everything you have to say really has me thinking that I need to step out of my comfort zone and take the next step.
ReplyDeleteI too would love a career in decorating. I know the first step would probably be to take some courses to get started on my journey. I am also nervous about going back to school after being out for over 10 years. Decorating is my passion, I know it's what I need to do.
So thank you for such an inspiring post that is really pushing me to take the leap out of my comfort zone into what I should have done a long time ago.
Angie Mae - Your immediate to do list is a snap! You're home anyway. Start your clutter free life now! And thanks for the kudos. :)
ReplyDeleteJamie - oh girl I sooooo hear you! Know what? Courses are easy. You sign up, pay and go. Know what's really stinkin' hard? When they don't teach you want you want to do. I'm going to be writing abit about that next week. It's a great topic!
Ashlee - been there! On both accounts. I too want to lose some weight and the perserverence is sooooo hard. What helped me was getting a book on what certain foods together do. I implemented the Curves eating plan and worked out 3x a week and lost 25 lb. Once it started rolling, I couldn't even stop it. It was amazing. A little self education and setting yourself up for success is your ticket there. And writing? Oh my goodness, make your desk somewhere you want to dash to daily! That's what I did with my kitchen office. I detest going into the basement where my work office is so I made my bloggy office right where all my fav junk is. :)
Your comments are soooo encouraging! And I just feel excited for you! Know why? Because you've posted, which means you've taken your FIRST STEP. That is huge!
Don't let that ball stop rolling now! Run with it while the adreneline is intact. You'll need that fresh adreneline to keep you going up that hill. Make me proud. I'm watching. :)
FJ Donna
I've been dying to work from home, and I really really want to start an Etsy store with children's dresses that I've made! I've looked into it, got everything started, it's just actually posting product that I'm stuck on. What if it doesn't go well and everything I've dreamed would happen, just doesn't? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI just need to take the pictures of what I've actually done, and not worry about having 100 items ready to sell. It's okay to start with baby steps
Hayley, there is nothing lost for trying. You lose if you don't try. Never have regrets due to fear. Those that make it big push their fear aside and listen to their passionate side. It comes through. If you make a good product that is unique to boot, you're already nearly there!
ReplyDeleteYou're on the last leg of your journey, girl! Do NOT stop now! Just post them. Then post a link so we can share your baby steps with you. :)
FJ Donna
What do I want to do so badly? Don't laugh, I want to write a contemporary romance novel. I love happy endings and have had this dream for many years. I want to write it well enough that I would consider pursuing having it published. You know, to put it out there and have confidence that an editor might be interested.
ReplyDeleteThe changes I would have to make? Commit the time to actually write. To not be afraid to try, try, try again. To think some more about what changes I would have to make and to reread your posts in this series with this goal in mind. Thanks.
Elizabeth, I share a similar dream. But mine is to write something. Just not sure what yet, but I want to see it published. Start bookmarking writing blogs for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWhy not try writing abit each night? You may get this surge of story running through you once you start. And that's exactly where you wana be! Do it, girl!
FJ Donna
I would like to start an etsy shop and start participating in the local craft fairs/farmers markets.
ReplyDeleteMy stumbling blocks are capital for supplies or things to redo and my horribly short attention span. I need to find a one thing, perfect it and stick with it.
The capital thing is also hampered by my attention span because I work from home and don't focus on it.
I am going to start using the kitchen timer use it too keep myself glued to either work or creating for set periods of time. Baby steps.....
Great post and great question. I had always wanted to go into interior design, have a shop or booth, and sell antiques. Just last year my mom gave me the money to do it and basically pushed me into it. She took away the excuses I had to not do it. I still have a long way to go to realize the dreams I have, but I'm on my way!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am the same way about resisting change. When DVD players came out I was very upset about giving up my VHS collection...I thought for sure it was a fad. Then when iPods came out I was insistant upon keeping my CD player. And the same with TiVo and laptops and cell phones. The funny thing is that I always love the new technology when I get it, I just have to take the leap.
Hi there! I just found you via a comment on a blog the other day because of your 'handle'
ReplyDeleteI too, share a love of decorating with the unusual. I'm looking forward to browsing around! ;) I've also been musing about my enthusiasm/passions in life recently so this is very timely!
1) One thing I would so very badly like to do - Two fold which I'm actually doing now, but would like to do better (being a stay at home mom, with long-term goals of pursuing my own small business after the children are in school so I can really BE there for them) I also wanted to have a creative outlet so I started a blog (which I am beginning to wonder if anyone reads! HA! I love encouraging other women and sharing experiences etc. so I started the blog in hopes that it would serve those purposes. I've had fun and have been faithful in my blogging but have not had a ton of feedback (in the form of comments) other than on linky party participation which makes me wonder if it's worth all the time/effort/thought I put into it week-in and week-out.
2. What do I need to do
Well, I've been trying to get my priorities in line so that I can pursue my passions without feeling like I'm abandoning my actual responsibilities! HA! ;) I loooove my sweet family, and I want my life to reflect that (after God) they are number one on my mind and heart. So, I've been trying staying on a routine to help me stay balanced as I'm getting on this blog train. As for the blog, I've been trying to be more intentional about networking/researching in building it and COMMENTING in hopes that other folks may come visit lil ole me and come back if they like what they read.
I can't resist wanting to encourage the aspiring writers... If per chance they come back to read, (or Donna, you could pass it along to them if you like):
my moms best friend is a published author and hosts a blog that is very encouraging/inspiring: Writers First Aid - here's the link...
http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/
what do I want?? I want a job doing something I love! Photography, crafty stuff, decorating, any of it or a little of all 3! My main road block though is that my job gives my family health, dental & life insurance, as well as a 401k. Working from home does not give you those things, and my husband doesn't have that option. So for now I am doing what I love on nights and weekends, and from 8-5 I work for my family. I am glad that I do have a job that pays well and has great benefits, but I do wish I could do something I was passionate about 24/7! I have also always wanted to go back to school to be a nurse, but again, I need to work full time! I think I have too many excuses! anyone know of a money tree I could get??? :)
ReplyDelete