Blacksburg Belle

  • Home
  • New? Start Here!
  • FAQ
  • Shop
    • Courses
    • Get My Book
    • Sunday Society
  • Speaking
  • About
  • Connect
  • Blog

Why You Need an “I Rock” Folder

- December 22, 2010 | by April -

{Print from Kelly Place on Etsy}

Everybody has days where they feel like they suck—like failures.

I don’t care how popular you are, how famous you are, or how much money you make—we all have bad days.

Have you ever felt really good about the creative products you’re making and then you receive some form of negative feedback that changes your entire mood? Some jerk tells you that she’d never pay $70 for your eco-friendly felted slippers that you’re incredibly proud of. Or a relative mentions that you should really consider getting a “real job” since you’ll never be able to make “real money” from your art. And, it ruins your day.

Maybe you work really hard to prepare for a craft show and then it pours that weekend, leaving only a few brave shoppers. Or you realize that you shipped the wrong product to the wrong customer, because you packaged it while your head was foggy from cough medicine and your toddler was having a meltdown.

This is when you need an “I Rock” folder. Something that will help you put things into perspective and pick you back up.

The Logistics of the “I Rock” Folder

I have a folder on my computer labeled, “I Rock” and every time I get an email from a customer gushing over my product or services, I add it to the folder. I add testimonials, blog comments, and tweets that make me feel really good about myself and my business. I also include a list of accomplishments in this folder like all of the links to the Etsy Success Reading Lists where one of my posts have been featured.

Whenever I have one of those unpleasant moments where I start to think that I suck, I open up that folder and read a handful of those emails and comments—and it helps to change my mood.

Whenever I need a boost, because I’m having a “blah” day or I have to work for 10 hours to get everything done, I’ll read a couple of those comments—and it makes it all worth it.

Your Challenge

Simply add a folder to your desktop and start compiling all of the nice things that customers and fans say to you and a list of your accomplishments. And when you need a quick pick-me-up, read a few of them. I bet that it helps to change your mood.

Related Posts:

What’s Your True Creative Calling?

How I Quit My Day Job to Pursue My Creative Dreams

10 Must-Read Books for Creative Entrepreneurs

15 Comments · Filed Under: Creative Business Development

Comments

  1. Lisa @ MindfulBIZ says

    December 22, 2010 at 7:59 am

    Hey April, I just wanted to tell you that *you rock*!! This is such a fabulous idea and easy to put into action. I’ve just made my folder. 🙂

    Reply
    • April says

      December 22, 2010 at 10:36 am

      Thanks Lisa! Happy holidays 🙂

      Reply
  2. megan says

    December 22, 2010 at 8:41 am

    This is a great idea!

    One of my professors from undergrad wrote me this amazing letter of recommendation when I was applying to graduate schools and she gave me a copy. I kept that copy in my apartment all through grad school, and whenever I was having a rough day, I’d pull it out and remind myself that I could do it.

    I love the idea of keeping a virtual version on my computer!

    Reply
    • April says

      December 22, 2010 at 10:38 am

      Hey Megan! I wish I would have thought of that when I was in grad school–because I definitely had some rough days. Thanks for stopping by to comment. Happy holidays 🙂

      Reply
  3. Gabrielle says

    December 22, 2010 at 11:27 am

    Hi April,

    I just wanted to say that this is such an awesome idea! I usually have a bunch of quotes and photos of my little girls around to help me stay positive but I never thought of keeping comments from customers, let alone having things nicely organized on my computer. Thank you for this. I can’t wait to get started!

    Reply
  4. Mayi Carles says

    December 22, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    brilliant idea! there is cloudy day that can stand a lovely fan letter + testimonial or happy quote.

    Reply
  5. Mayi Carles says

    December 22, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    typo: “there is NO cloudy day that can stand a lovely fan letter + testimonial or happy quote”

    Reply
  6. storybeader says

    December 22, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    April – just wanted to tell you that your blog is under my list of inspirational blogs, and I enjoy reading what you (+ Linda) have to say. Thanks for the nudges, when I need them. {:-Deb

    Reply
  7. Jessilicious says

    December 22, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    Hi April!

    I have a “This is why I’m HOT” file in Google Docs that does the same thing. And I love it! It’s great to be able to just copy and paste any email or comment in there, then come back later to read them all whenever I want! 🙂 Talk about a boost! 😀

    Reply
  8. leyla says

    December 22, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    What a good idea. Not only as a pick-me-up but some of those testimonials might come in handy in promotional materials later on down the road.

    Reply
  9. Jenn says

    December 22, 2010 at 9:55 pm

    What an awesome Idea!…

    Reply
  10. Judy says

    December 29, 2010 at 11:03 pm

    Absolutely a great idea. YOU Rock!

    Thank you for your sharing of great ideas and words of wisdom :>) – Judy

    Reply
  11. Vermiljoen says

    January 7, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    marvelous!! Just bumped into your blog ans readin post after post now. What a positive creative, confident vibe here!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Sprouting ideas | Liberty's Yarn says:
    April 15, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    […] Belle has a great suggestion for all of us. You need an I Rock! folder. You need a folder on your desktop – next to your inspiration folder – […]

    Reply
  2. Libertys Yarn » Stories, Snapshots, and Sarcasm. From one special needs creativepreneur to another. » Sprouting ideas says:
    April 28, 2012 at 11:58 am

    […] Belle has a great suggestion for all of us. You need an I Rock! folder. You need a folder on your desktop – next to your inspiration folder – […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Blogging for Business

Get in Touch

Get a FREE Copy Here

Follow April on Twitter Follow April on Facebook Follow April on Pinterest Follow April on Youtube Follow April on Instagram
Get Weekly Inspiration to Design a Business You Love
read our privacy policy

Get in Touch
Get in Touch

Blacksburg Belle. All Rights Reserved.© 2021 · Designed by Amanda Creek Creative On the Genesis Framework

Get Weekly Inspiration to Design a Business You Love
read our privacy policy
We use cookies on this website. Read our cookie policy here.