March was weird.
I’m usually methodical when it comes to my monthly goals and feel satisfied at month’s end. But this past month, I was all over the place and very scattered, leaving me to feel unsatisfied. Not that I didn’t accomplish some of my goals, but the BIG ones that I thought were so close to completion fell short.
My marketing plan is at a standstill. I need to finish the website portion of the plan and have run into a couple technical snags that have to rely on other (mighty slow) individuals. This is the big reason why I like to do most of the website coding myself, but some things are just beyond my brain.
I’m working on the classes, but they have been deprioritized. Luckily, they are all available to me whenever I have time to commit to them.
Oh, Renegade, you have disappointed me. I applied and was rejected. Many of my friends have told me that paper people don’t do well at craft fairs and they are not worth the time, effort and money. So nice of them and I’m choosing to believe them. But I can do without the rejection.
I’ll go into my Wholesale plan below in April goals, but I did reopen my Etsy shop. Sold something the first day and it’s been quiet ever since. I have a goal on my business plan to start designing Etsy Shop graphic packages, but I’m still feeling conflicted about whether I want to fit into the Etsy community. Not that I don’t admire the concept, love most of the sellers, buy and window shop there… I just don’t know if the seller aesthetic is for me.
Cleaning the office has become organizing the office and I try to spend a little time each day on it. I’m organizing/designing my studio space, so it’s a process that will take some time. And I have adopted the in bed by 10, up by 5 routine, for most of my M-F days. It works well for me work-wise and health-wise, so I’m sticking to it.
One shining goal has been the new series on the Dog Blog. Scout features dogs that volunteer to answer our questions and share photos of themselves. You can check out the series here. It’s been so much fun that we’ll keep doing it for a long while.
Here comes April! This post is already too long, so I’ll spare you details.
I honed my Wholesale plan with research and a secret weapon (you know who you are and thank you again!) I think it will be attainable by month’s end.
The Specialty Shops tie into the marketing plan, but that’s one of my technical hold-ups. Hope it’s fixed soon, so I can move on!
I really need to read blogs daily, but I’m having a hard time making that happen. When I rise early, I’m blogging for myself (it’s the only time that it’s guaranteed to be quiet and interruption-free.) I used to read blogs in bed, but with the laptop not allowed in the bedroom, it’s not possible. Any suggestions on making time for this?
If you made it to the end of this goal-rambling post, thank you. I hope all you Meetup gals had a less-weird March and that we can look forward to a productive April.
Any month you’d like to join the group, visit Liz at Athena Dreams here for all the info.
Once again you’ve reminded me it’s a new month and time for The Meetup! You’d think I didn’t have a calendar (or many!) around my house. I totally know what you mean about those scattered months. My husband is really good when I have those days/months about helping me find the things that I actually did accomplish. I think he just gets tired of me moping around complaining about how unproductive I’ve been. This is the longest comment ever. Good luck with April!!
Thanks Melanie! I know in my head that everyone has times like these, but it’s nice to read it from someone else who I admire. the longest comment ever for the longest post ever 🙂
Yeah, February was my scattered, unfocused month, so I know to well what you are saying. And the Renegade. . . it’s always SO hard not getting picked for something, but I always try to remind myself that not getting picked for something is more often than not part of a larger “plan” that we can’t see yet, and something else will come along that will work for us even better. You know? Well anyway, that’s my zen comment of the month for you . . . I hope that your April is Fabulous and Focused and Fortuitous, there how’s that! Best of April to you Cyn!
I do believe things happen for a reason, so yay for zen! Thanks for your good wishes, Liz. One of the reasons why The Meetup is a wonderful thing!
I love your new dog blog series. Beans says he wants a feature. I’ll be contacting you about that soon. From my perspective, categorizing your RSS feeds is the key to success. I have blogs I don’t want to miss (like RDP and other friends) and those I can miss. I read the my Friends and Family file first, then photography, then paper, and on and on. If I have time for everything, great, if not, I know I don’t miss my favorite writers. I find an RSS feed can be a burden. Make your mandatory reading list relatively short and you’ll avoid any unnecessary pressure.
Would love to know more about Beans! And yes, I need to hone my Google Reader a bit more. I have categories, but I need to make that mandatory list short and sweet. Thanks, my friend!
Sorry that March was kind of tough. Remember that your goals are your guide — they help you focus and state your intention. Sometimes we just can’t get to everything or things may not turn out the way we want. Still, I think Liz is right, when one opportunity doesn’t work out it could be because you are being steered toward something else. This is how things have worked in my life! As for reading blogs — Google Reader is a life saver. I follow a number of really good blogs (just added yours!) I set time during lunch and time while I am making dinner in the evening to read and comment on blogs. It’s nice to gt out of my own head and see what others are doing. April is going to be a fabulous month for you!!!
What a good idea to read while making dinner! That’s why some smart person invented the laptop, right? Thanks for your kind words, Deborah! Much appreciated…
ditto on the March being scattered thing… but I’m super impressed with your determination in getting to bed early and up earlier. 🙂
good luck in April!
Thanks Lindsey! The bedtime routine has really worked well – I highly recommend it!
big month, sounds like you’ve been quite busy. like you said, it feels so much better to get the big goals crossed off and its hard when other people are involved (and not on the same schedule!) some things take longer then we expect, but its just working to get them to be right and how we want to present ourselves!
im sorry to hear about renegade craft fair – i’ve attended the chicago fair, and its been fairly scare in the paper goods side – mostly screen printed cards / posters in a similar aesthetic. your cards are great and going wholesale / marketing, you’ll do great! cant wait to see what comes next for you – have a great april!
Thanks Deb! I do think if I had been accepted at Renegade, it would have put off my wholesale goals. so, rejection has turned out to be a good thing 🙂
Scattered has been my song as well this month too! It sounds like you’re getting yourself focussed though – yay! I agree with categorizing your reader to help keep track of the blogs you really want to – of course the problem is as you get out in the blogosphere the more folks you connect with…it’s a battle I lose as well!
Also, I think I know how you feel about Etsy – there’s so much Etsy specific stuff you should do to promote the shop that feels so uncomfortable to me…
ANyway, good luck in April!
I need to refine the reader categories I set up a couple months ago to make them work better for me. My problem is that I like too many things 🙂
And yup to your Etsy comments.
ugh sorry about renegade. It stings–I’ve been there too. However, it seems like you’re doing a ton of other stuff! And getting focused.
Good luck!
Thanks Gaia. I am moving on, in a good way.
Hey Cyn,
Aw, I’m so sorry you didn’t get into the Renegade Craft Fair. Maybe next year or you can try to participate in other craft fairs? I too am participating in online classes that I don’t have much time to be up-to-date. But it’s good thing that the classes are for your own pace/time types. I’m even thinking about joining another online class lol.
I tried so hard to keep a good sleeping schedule but I failed last month. My friend helped me make a schedule for this month so I’m going to try to stick to it & follow through. Plus the fact that I have class to look forward to in the morning helps out a lot too. & I always thought I was the only one who brought my laptop to bed with me lol glad I’m not the only one.
Good luck on your April goals!
Thanks Vee. There is probably a whole bunch of people that take their laptops to bed. I think it’s fine, as long as it’s when you wake up 🙂
Now, get some sleep, Vee!
Good luck with wholesaling. I’m actually looking into wholesaling my art prints soon so I’ll be following your progress with interest. Have a great month!
Your list is very inspiring, and since I am new to this Meet Up group, my list is very simple. I love your company’s name and the story how it all came about. I am getting married next year, and plan to design my own invitations.