Get Over Yourself and Deliver the Encore
Posted: Sunday, May 22, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Funny thing – these Heidi-isms – they are my thoughts, yet I can be reasonably certain they’re not new. I mean, they have undoubtedly been thought and expressed by others. Chances are someone else is thinking like this.
So it goes. At times, my creativity is limitless. I come up with some pretty fabulous ideas and, in my mind’s eye, the result is success. I am stirred with inspired excitement and I want to do something about it. Not! Most of the time, I simply forget it. At times it just goes on the backburner. I’ll do it when I get a minute. Days and weeks pass. Did I do anything about it? Of course not, and by now the details of that incredibly great idea have slipped – now it doesn’t even seem so great anymore. Then, I see an ad, and here is my thought in actuality. Duh to me – he who hesitates … and all that!
Take for instance one of my business ideas of yester-year. I envisioned (and formed) a company I called “Kritters and Kastles Enterprises. It was the holding company for other creative endeavors, hence the “Enterprises”. It’s primary purpose was the design, setup, and keyboarding of ads, brochures and lengthy typed documents on an outsourced basis – without the need of clerical or graphic staff. Great idea! Super company.
Under it were at least two other creative endeavors: Pandora’s Box and Green Dragon. Pandora’s Box exclusively designed, marketed and sold stained glass and mosaic creations with a penchant for horses. In fact, it featured stained glass horses in the image and likeness of specific breeds such as Saddlebreds, Arabians and Quarter Horses. The Green Dragon company focused on mythical and fantasy creations, mostly made in intricate wood cuts. The work from Green Dragon was primarily decorative and intended for wall ornamentation. The specialty was magnificent dragons.
I had the business plan, brochures & more ready to go
I had everything in order including the business plan and other paperwork, tax numbers – the works. I made up brochures, business cards and ads. Weeks and even months had gone into setting up, planning and the excitement of starting.
And, then – nothing. Ironically, I had put passionate effort and thought into everything and had a viable plan. Problem is I did not act on it and, you guessed it, to this day I did nothing much about it. I have since given away my gorgeous horse ornaments and only 4 pieces of stained glass work and 5 of the mosaic creations remain. Everything else was given away or, over time, became damaged. As I follow a few companies that do what I aspired to do, I still have regrets.
I write this today in memory of stupidity – mine. I impeded myself, I restrained myself and, ultimately, I neglected to finish what had started as such a great idea. Today, as I write this, I remind myself that I too-frequently start a project only to leave it unfinished. What compels me to do this?
As time passes, does it give me an excuse? Was I too busy? Did I not secure enough resources? Whatever it is, I now consider it a frustrating personality flaw – one I have honed to perfection.
There is always hope and self-reflection, however. At last, my record of “almost” is changing to “great job”. I now use a different approach to creativity and great ideas. I write things down, discuss them, investigate them (thank goodness for the Internet!), and really work out all angles. Everything quickly sorts itself out.
Of course, I still have hundreds of ideas and there are still projects that remain unfinished – there will probably always be some – but I decide early on whether the idea merits jumping in with both feet. It’s a pact I have made with myself. “Jump in only if you can land on your feet.”
Actually finished this mosaic floor. It was the focal point of Pandora's Box. I still love it to this day but it is a reminder.
I knew I could do it. Yet I sat on my ideas. Then I watched as other artisans built super successful businesses. The floors and rosettes were one thing - but it was really tough seeing the horse stained glass panels at the level I planned. Ouch!
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)I'm sorry you fell short on the project. We all do. If youve read some of my materials, you'll know I wasted 30 years drunk. We must forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievment in the future. Recognize failures (to act), as learning experiences. Thanks for the example.A great comment that also includes a personal reflection. Too often we realize, well after the fact, that time is shorter now and no more wasting it. I have learned - some. I've got a long way to go. Thanks for reading and commenting.Jack - You're great with your fab Raven article and Jean Hurst has also given me a kudo. We made it - on the same day. You brought me good luck dear SW friend.
You are tough on yourself. And your are full of creativity and ideas. It seems that you are tough enough to take your own abuse; but. Be nicer to yourself. You have great talent.Thank you so much for reading and the good comments, Christofer. There comes a time when reality sets in and you've got to get it done. Hindsight is a great teacher.
The greatest sewing accomplishment I ever had was giving away the TRUNK of good ideas, patterns and fabric that haunted me for years and years after I worked in a fabric shop while in school to become an RN......GRIN I now make household things like pillows, curtains, place mats and table cloths etc. Rather than the tailored coats I used to do (lots cheaper and they actually get done!)Really good comments. Think I realize that too. Like, do something on a scale that you can manage and will actually accomplish. Thanks Marijo. It's the actually get done part that I often miss and then feel frustrated.
These pictures show a very great talent and your writing is superb! You didn't see this project through but maybe the next one. When you find the right one, you'll finish it. The important thing is to keep trying and I have no doubt you'll do that. We've all been there. Don't beat yourself up.Just noticed you left me such a great comment and up until now I wasn't even aware of it you terrific supporter! You are a great talent and I am really pleased at your comments. I'm just sorry that I didn't notice earlier. It means a whole lot to me - the support, the good words, the encouragement, and I appreciate your time to read, too. Thank you Brianna.
Hi Heidi.
The past is for learning and that's what you've done.
Love the mosaic floor! And the Heidi-isms!
Hugs,
DianneMake that two in a row Dianne. It takes a pop side of the head to make me remember the extra save. Duh to me. Find myself redoing and retyping. Guess this is the right article for that what say?
Thanks for reading and making comment. The floor took me forever to complete - you should hear my family. It's one of my big mosaic projects. Had another, even bigger, and in my estimation more beautiful one but no pictures. It's my kitchen in the house I sold. Cobalt blue, gorgeous design, my pride and my joy. Got that one done too, eventually.
I've done that a time or two myself ... both forgetting to save a comment and not completing a project. Do the unfinished things weigh on your mind? They do mine. It's like they are back there constantly poking at me as a reminder. I'm usually very relieved when I finally finish one. I've two books that have been in the works for a couple of years now. Can't seem to find the time ... bad me. And that sad thing is that people who have read parts have said they are good. Ah well, too wrapped up in horses right now. :)
Hugs,
DianneNot one of my brighter regular things - forgetting to go to page 2 to save. The not completing a project is a whole other thing. That's why I wrote this article in the first place. Here I go playing the great adviser - the do as I say not do as I do person - an unfinished project that holds promise or meaning to you will nag at you until you complete it. Years after, it still causes regrets. You'll never know the outcome of a special project until you actually complete it. I am beating myself up for mine. Slowly I'm learning but I'm afraid time will run out for me before I will really have learned. I'm working on lots of unresolved things. Hope you write and finish the books. You'll find time for the horses too. It's amazing, but it works out somehow.
Nice Job!
Thanks. Stop by again to read sometimes. Better yet, join us. We're great on SearchWarp!
This pictures exhibit a real large talent, and your body of work is superior! You didn't see this plan through but maybe the close one. When you happen the ripe one, you'll end it. The momentous object is to prepare repellent, and I hit no uncertainty you'll do that. We've all been there. Don't round yourself up.You are very kind. Don't know about large talent but I do know I love working with stained glass and mosaics. It's a form of expression plus it's like working a puzzle - getting all those pieces to fit just right. I've resolved to finish more than I leave undone. For me that's a big improvement. I'm just not there yet.
That hits home to many of us. But what counts are our successes. These are things that we will be remembered by. Just watch my brother... Mike Rowe the host of dirty Jobs! I would love to be where he is with the ideas I have... lol.
Thanks much for reading and commenting, Philip. You're so right about the successes. Everybody cheers a job well done! As for your brother, he's so great on his show - so natural and down to earth. I'll bet you're just like that yourself and now it's your turn to get your ideas into motion. You'll never know where they will lead you.
Sounds like you are a "scanner". We have way too many ideas to finish. :-) Read Barbara Sher's books to see how to take this attribute and make it work for you!Thank you for taking the time to write Susan. Hope you visit my articles and those of my fellow Search Warp writers often. If you like to write, people here are gracious and very helpful. Meanwhile, I'll look up her books unless you would like to give me the titles?
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