{Garland from Paper Polaroid on Etsy}
I enjoy exercising when I’m actually doing it. But, it’s the “getting ready” part of working out that seems to trip me up.
After I’ve put on my sports bra, workout clothes and sneakers, pulled my hair back into a ponytail, and switched from glasses to contacts, I’m ready to go. I can already feel my body heating up and I look forward to it. And, I feel amazing after a good workout. My head is clear and I’m focused.
So, why do I skip it some days?
I give myself wiggle room. On the days that I skip it, I didn’t set out my workout clothes the night before and I didn’t put it on my calendar. Instead, I said, “I’ll exercise if I can fit it in.” And, I can always come up with excuses why I can’t fit it in.
How do I get around this problem? I make it black and white—crystal freaking clear.
Make it black and white.
If I say that I must exercise, set out my workout clothes, and add it to my calendar, I do it. I don’t give myself any room to make excuses.
I also make these “black and white” rules for my creative business. I publish a new blog post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday—come rain or come shine. I send out an email newsletter every week. I work on the “creative” part of my biz {jewelry, mixed media} for at least one hour per day.
Even though I enjoy blogging, sending out my weekly newsletter, and working on my creative stuff, this leaves me no wiggle room. After a long week, I don’t allow myself to say, “Who cares if I don’t publish a post today? It’s not that big of a deal. I’ll just write something extra awesome for Monday.”
Nope. Not gonna happen. I will not wrap things up on Friday unless I’ve published a blog post.
What’s your big dream goal?
When you think of your dream goal for your creative business, you can probably pinpoint specific actions that will make it happen. Maybe it’s adding more products to your Etsy shop. Maybe you need to focus on improving your product photography.
Whatever it takes to make your dream goal happen needs to become black and white.
If you need to add more products to your Etsy shop, then you need to set a black and white goal. This might mean saying that every week for the next year you’re going to add 5 new products to your shop. If Sunday morning rolls around and 5 new products haven’t been added, you don’t give yourself time to make excuses.
Instead of saying, “Well, I did have that doctor’s appointment on Monday. And, my kids did have a snow day on Thursday, so I should be happy with getting 3 new products up,” you say, “I’m not doing anything else until I get 2 more products in my shop.” That’s it. No room for excuses.
It can’t all be black and white.
There are some things that I don’t have hard and fast rules about, because it can’t all be black and white. You need to pick the most important things. These should be things that will make or break the success of your creative business. Things that you might enjoy doing, but if given room to make excuses, could end up not getting done.
Make them black and white. You’ll be much more likely to succeed.
Feeling brave? Solidify your black and white goal even more by sharing it in the comments below.
Oh, exercise is a great example!
When I have an exercise plan, I tend to stick to it… but if I just wait for it to happen – nope!
I definitely have black and white things. For example, I blog every day (except Saturday – my day off!) on Epheriell Designs – actually, it’s usually twice a day. But I make this happen by scheduling posts ahead so I don’t get distracted or busy and miss a day.
I also have 4 issues of my zine to publish this year… that’s a big goal, but one I have committed to.
I try to have a balance between the ‘must get done’ and the ‘would be nice if I got done’ – because without some flexibility I think I would go a little bit crazy! 🙂
Hey Jess!
Thanks for sharing your black and white goals 🙂
If I’m working towards a big goal {like your example of publishing your zine}, I definitely have to make some things black and white. It helps me stay focused and on track.
I am not and have never been a “scheduler” – i live in the gray 🙂 but now i think it’s a must between a part-time job, 2 kids w/ school and activities and trying to build a successful business – it’s a bit overwhelming!
great advice, thanx 🙂
Thanks for sharing Dana! I actually used to be a procrastinator. It worked for me, because I work really well under pressure. But, I feel much more relaxed yet prepared now that I schedule everything, and I get a lot more done.
Oh great article April! And it’s so true! You’re always here for us Monday + Wednesdays + Fridays, rain or shine. If you are not here I know we better call 911 because you have certainly been kidnapped, lol.
No, but all joking aside. I do think it’s super important, if we are running a business to be a reliable source always. It helps not only for loyalty-building but also for trust building!
So one of my black + white goals is to post daily on heartmade, no excuses. I stick to my editorial calendar no matter what thunder strikes. It most be the Libra in me. Nothing is gray! Everything is black + white. It works fantastic for business, not so much for relaxing time. I need to work on that! 🙂
Hahaha! Somebody better start asking questions if I don’t show up when I say I’m gonna 🙂
Maybe you need to make a black and white goal about relaxing–for instance, every Saturday for the next 3 months I’ll completely take off and relax!
UUUeee that’s a fantastic idea! It’s really not enough to say “I have to take time off to relax”. If I don’t schedule it, it often doesn’t happen. So this is perfect! Thanks girl! You always help bring clarity!
You’re welcome!!! I know you work super hard and have that part down. Now, you just need the relaxing part, too 🙂 But it’s sooooo hard when you absolutely love what you do, because it doesn’t feel like “work”–it feels more like “play.”
Fabulous post! I’m currently working on my goals right now…but just this concept is enough to get me going in the right direction!
thanks for sharing~ allisa
Glad to hear it Allisa!
I’m a hardcore planner. My google calender is dripping with multi-colored plans. And as a personal exercise I’ve recently added a category for life’s emergencies. I think I may have proof that the moment I plan a big project that both of my kids will have an ambulance ride or massive school upset. For now I’m going to scale back my ‘big plans’ (stay under the universes radar) LOL. What would be your opinion moving forward? And – universe willing – its sales that start to leech away my time, what then?
Thank you so much! I’m off to squeeze into my running pants. =)
Yeah, you definitely can’t plan the unpredictable…
I want to make sure I understand your question. Are you asking what happens when sales eat up most of your time?
If that’s what you’re asking, I’d say you need to hire help. Hire someone to package and ship your orders, help you answer customer emails, help you do the very basic things, etc. Continue doing the stuff that you love–and get help with some of the stuff you don’t love to do. You could also get help in other areas. What if you hired someone to do your grocery shopping and clean your house? Would it free up enough time for you?
And, make sure that your business plan coincides with your ideal lifestyle. How much money do you want to be making each month? Are you there yet? Do you need to scale back? There are so many questions to consider when you’re trying to build a business that will be successful long-term and that you truly enjoy.
I hope that kinda helped! If not, clarify your question and I’ll try to answer again 🙂
You ROCK!!! I am going to sit down and really think about your last paragraph. I may be trying to build a business which just can’t fit in with my current life. And thats a tough thing to come to terms with. As always, you’ve given me tons to ponder. Thank you!
I’m so glad I could help!
That’s definitely a hard thing to come to terms with–but you definitely want to build a business that you enjoy long-term. You always have options–like hiring someone to help you 🙂
i’ve been running into this issue that last two weeks. I’m still fine tuning my schedule. I could get out 6 items a week when all I did was create stuff. Now I’ve integrated more things to get the store moving I need to be happy with making less items a week and getting the other stuff done.
I hear ya Brandi! It’s such a hard thing to find the right balance. After a while, you’ll figure out what works for you–but you’ll probably always wish for more time to create 🙂
Today I wanted to spend more time creating and working on my photography, but I had to set it aside to get some other stuff done.
Wow! Nice article!! I am in the same boat as some others here.
With job, 2 kids and husband’s travel I keep postponing my exercise
routine and spending time on my small jewelry business and have been
thinking of making some goals for myself. Your article has come out at the right
time for me. Thanks April!!
You’re welcome Menka! Glad it was inspiring 🙂
I’m pretty good about keeping my blogging black and white. I’m trying to be much firmer about giving myself 2 hours a day in the studio, and 1 hour a day to work on marketing and networking. The part that I really need to get more black and white about is putting work away and having downtime in the evenings and weekends.
Well, the first step is realizing what you need to get more clear about…so you’re part of the way there 🙂
Thanks April! So, So true! My black and white goal is to make my craft a business and not a hobby!
Posting my “6 things I must do today” really helps with that and your comment of “no crap excuses” Somedays are easy to get six things (and keep from adding 7, 8 and 9) other days are hard to get six…hmmm, maybe I should just fill in with “blog, sew, blog , sew” lol!
Blogging is the hardest for me ‘cuz its new to me….but I did blog about you on the Etsy symposium. Loved it!
Thanks for all your posts ladies…you all inspire me!
Hey Linda,
6 things is a the perfect number for me–but it may not be your number. You have to figure out how much you can get done and then set realistic goals 🙂
I hope you’ve signed up to get the 1st month of my blogging program for free. If you haven’t, you can sign up here {it’ll help to get you started in the right direction}:
https://www.blacksburgbelle.com/2011/01/inspired-blogging-for-creative-entrepreneurs-launch/
I only recently started being tough on myself in my business. Of course, your article showed me that I’m a bit of a lightweight, not really that tough, but if other people can do it, then so can I, right? I WILL publish on my blog every week even if I have only one follower and it happens to be me. That is just an excuse not to, so I will follow your advice, follow in your path and maybe someone will follow me! Thanks so much, this is a good meat and potatoes article. .
Get that post up there and I will follow!
It’s tough. Blogging once a week is a goal of mine too but just haven’t got my stuff together yet.
Thanks for sharing Marcia!
It takes time to build a following on a blog–but you’ll never build one if you don’t actually blog 🙂
Hi April,
I saw your talks at the Etsy symposium. I thought you were great and followed you over to blogville. Good ideas. Especially for creative artists who like to float. Got to keep those feet on the ground, even if my head is sometimes in the clouds.
What I’ve been pondering, of late is the time=value measure. How can I best utilize my time to get the results? What can I do to be more financially successful, in practical measures? I’m following your newsletter. And really learning about the best use of my time and the most efficient way to drive my product to market. Good stuff, April!
Always Madcap,
A’esha
Hi A’esha,
Thanks for your kind words!
You’re delving into the topic of high leverage tasks. The best use of your time is working on high leverage tasks–these are tasks that will give you the most results and they’re different for every business. I try to spend at least 80% of my time each day on high leverage tasks and only 20% of my time on the stuff that must get done but doesn’t produce results {like responding to emails}.
For instance, high leverage tasks for me include blogging and sending out a weekly newsletter, because it helps me build relationships with potential customers. Most of my sales come from people who read my blog and newsletter.
I took a look at your website and I see that you sell jewelry, so high leverage tasks for you might include contacting boutiques who might be interested in carrying your jewelry, making more jewelry to sell, and working on getting your target market to your website. What’s going to make you money? Those are your high leverage tasks.
Hi everyone.
I just subscribed yesterday and already I’m so grateful! Excellent advice. I’ve spent most of this week thinking about how to manage my time better.
Between a full time day job and my first business less than a year old, I am often just overwhelmed and definitely don’t exercise ;0)
I am incredibly lucky to have a supportive husband-to-be but my ‘need to do’ list and ‘would love to do’ list just keep getting longer and longer and well less done.
Thank you so much, this was the final support I needed oh and Liberty thanks for the Google calendar intro, brilliant!
Yay for a new reader!
This is the advice that I give anyone who’s starting a new business and is completely overwhelmed by all the things that she wants to get done:
Set one large goal. For instance, you might have a goal of getting an Etsy shop up and running or you might have a goal to land 5 wholesale accounts in the next 3 months. Then, map out a plan. What are all the little steps you have to take to make that happen? Use that checklist to plan out your daily to-do lists. And, whenever you come up with an idea, ask if it’s going to help you get closer to your goal. If yes, then go with it. If no, then write it down and set it aside until you reach your goal. Then, you can move on to your next idea.
Hope that helps!
I am celebrating 6 months open shop on etsy! Not 1, one, thing listed for sale. I lack the confidence to start. I get stuck at focusing on a theme of products, since i like to do different things. I get stuck at “take great pictures”. I get stuck at the writing. ?Excuses; Right!
Starting a new business can be exhausting just because there are sooooo many choices to make. It seems like you need to just make a decision and go with it.
Try focusing on the small steps to make it happen instead of focusing on the huge goal you’re working towards. And, do one small thing at a time.
Well thanks to Liberty, I spent yesterday taking my ridiculously long and overwhelming to do list and started adding each thing into my new colourful google calendar ;0)
For my short term goal, I decided that in a months time, I would have a new range of veils made, photgraphed and listed to align with my businesses 1st birthday. To manage this, I had to commit to working all day Saturdays and at least 2 evenings during the week after my day job.
I made sure to get specific about each veil so that I didn’t waste time today thinking about what to make and then panicking because I hadn’t been productive. I scheduled time for breakfast, lunch and a bride coming to pick up her veil and I’ve even had time to check in to some of the Etsy teams I’ve abandoned and this blog.
Day one and I’m flying!
Cherie, when I opened my Etsy shop it took me ages to get items up and now, I’ve had the same 9 items for almost a year. Mainly because I haven’t been managing my time well and also lack of focus but today I have committed to one veil at a time rather than a whole collection and I won’t move on to the next veil until the one before is finished.
Perhaps start with one thing you’d like to make then do something else you’d like to make even if the two things are totally different. You could keep doing this until you fall in love with one thing more than another…. sort of a process of illimination. It will even figure out how viable a piece will be because of the length of time it took you etc.
Sorry, I think I’ve rambled on enough ;0)
Hey Sarah! Glad to see you back 🙂
I love how readers are taking tips from other readers…that makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside.
I love that you’ve broken down your goal–and gotten specific about what needs to happen and the specifics of each veil. Remember to reward yourself along the way. When you put in a lot of long hours, you have to stay invested–and the best way to do that is to reward yourself 🙂 At the end of a Saturday of work, take a relaxing bubble bath, read a good book, or do something else that you really enjoy! It’ll make a huge difference in your stamina.
So post ugly pictures, and edit them to better ones once you take new ones. I just updated my pics on some of my older posts, they looked ok when I did them, but I am getting better at taking the pics. If you wait until things are perfect, you will never finish a product, post a listing anthing. Trust me on this, I am a recovering perfectionist.
As to schedule – I work full time, have 2 kids, a husband and an acreage – if it is not on the schedule it doesn’t happen. So everything, including coffee with my girlfriend, goes on the calendar. Seems obsessive, but it works. Schedule fun time, excercise, sleepins, etc.
Hi!
I’m new to your site and just subscribed to your newsletter – I love the articles and all the helpful information. I still consider myself fairly new on Etsy and when I first opened my shop, (vintagenelly), I had lists all over the place – I’m a list maker anyway, which helps. You are so right, though, if I don’t write it down, get it ready, make a plan to do it – it doesn’t get done. All that other “everyday life” stuff gets in the way. The one thing I really have to work on is my creative time. I sell vintage, but love to make stuff as well and always seem to get frustrated because my creative time somehow gets the least amount of attention. Between working a day job and my shop and family life, I just seem to not have anytime for the creative part – and I am really getting frustrated about this. Hmmmm, I think I should read your article on ” Crap Excuses” next!!! Anyway, thanks so much and I’m really looking forward to more great tips and advice!!
What are all the little steps you have to take to make that happen? What can I do to be more financially successful, in practical measures?