Success ~ how are you stopping your own?

photo source

Do you ever feel you stall your own success?

I'm convinced I play this game on myself. I know roughly which direction I'd like to go, and know I can have it, but to take that next step is like walking off a cliff edge.

And then we start our excuses we mask as reasons. Boy do we ever have alot of those! While you're rambling with your excuses to another, I suggest to sit back and really listen to yourself. Just be silent and listen to what you just said. All those words on why you can't.

Excuses.

Know what I believe the real deal to be?

Fear.

No one wants to intentionally fail. Or be rejected. Or be told your work or ideas aren't good. We all want some kind of affirmation. It's just the way we're built. It validates us. And that's why it's so enjoyable to blog. We validate each other.

So.. what's the next step then? Do you have a dream? I'd bet you do. It may be hazy at the moment, but everyone has a passion. There's a reason you're on earth and perhaps you haven't truly found that reason yet. But no one will hand it to you on  a silver platter unless you yourself make the effort to seek it out.

Here are two fine examples of recent successes in blogland.

Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, is a stay at home mom of two toddlers. 

 MMS now has 2 retail locations for her amazing one of a kind creations and is showing us how she does it along the way. But she's doing way more than simply showing us what we can do with our trinkets. She's paving a road in which has your name on it. All that's left to do is follow her lead.

settee at home

Did you see MMS's recent post titled Musical Furniture? She had no idea, but that post was written for me the day I read it. As a furniture styler, Marian's home is in a constant state of flux. What's in on any given day...

settee in the store

... may very well be out the next. For sale.

I've been reluctant to let my creations go.

However, if MMS can do it, so can I, right?!?

I found MMS when she had 75 followers and knew that day that we had a new rock star among us. All she did was throw in that dash of passion and you have the perfect recipe for the makings of personal success.

It's all about passion. And moving forward with it. Are you seeing it?

 The Lettered Cottage

Another success story I highly admire and follow is Kevin and Layla from The Lettered Cottage. I first became inspired by Layla when she did her first before and after for a friend. (I couldn't locate the post)

I was moved and spellbound from that moment on. If this girl could load a truck full of 'bad boy' furniture (I remember emailing her and asking how she got the furniture from point A to point B herself!), find the makings for merry and bright from a thrift store, and then proceed in creating a magical atmosphere out of it for another, I knew there was hope for my own dreams to come true.

 

filming a pilot

From there, Layla and Kevin have teamed up and have accomplished all sorts of amazing feats over the years. I'm watching and learning with every single post of theirs. (thanks for the air nailer tute, Kevin!)

There are many more successes in blogland, however I believe I've made my point. It doesn't matter where you start from at all. And it doesn't even really matter on who you become. It just matters that you're actually doing something about it. Because the ultimate joy's in the ride there. :)

No time you say? Me neither. I'm a biz owner, home owner, (sole) parent, blogger (need I list more after that last one?!), decorator, and a creator with dreams of doing more. How? Impossible! Right?

Not if I hack at my goals a little each day. You see, I've been mentored by the best. My friend Dan's philosophy is, work on your dreams even just 10 minutes a day if that's all you have. Because those 10 minutes add up. And it's way better than not doing anything at all.

I stumble alot when I think about what I want to do with all this creativity that lies within. I've been talking to MMS and supportive friends. They've held my hand while toting out advice and encouragement and have allowed me to whine and rejoice. They've been patient with me.

But there comes a time when you have to take that major leap of faith. In yourself.

There's a sweet restaurant in town that I'd like to help pretty up. But that entails me emptying my house. And I was frightened to do that. But something helped me make the decision in the last couple of days.

It was Hilary's kitchen over at Sweet As June.

These gorgeous photos helped me realize I can recreate again in my own home. Bring new design solutions into play. After viewing these photos, I felt it. I was ready to do new things for others, and test run some other unique creations for my own. My home is the test pit. :)

Inspiration of all kinds is everywhere you look! I've named 4 that inspire me just in this one post! And you're the other 6,000 sources. In which I thank you!

For those of you that have read my story, all the pieces to the puzzle are fitting. There's a reason I moved where I did and a reason a team of good Samaritans helped me fix up my broken house. (reno blog HERE) I'm right where I'm suppose to be. With the door wide open at the end of the room.

 And I also believe I was led to the net to write about where I'm heading, to help further inspire you yourself. Don't watch anyone on the net with envy. Watch with wide eyed wonder and implement some of those moves in your own life. Watch and learn. And then do!

Over the next little while, things will be somewhat hopping for me. So you may see some 'Blasts from the Past' type posts here and there to fill in. I really REALLY need to be proactive and kick fear to the curb and just do it. And I can't do that sitting at my desk wishing it to happen.

Stay tuned for changes all over town this round. It's time to go cliff jumping! And I can't wait to take you along for the ride. :)

Tell me about you. 

Do you stop your own success? Why do you think that is? What's REALLY holding you back? What are you going to do about it?

Writing it out makes it real. Go on. You can do it. Tell us what your dreams are. And what's stopping you. We're all ears and would love to support you!