Inspiration & Incentives

Welcome to our last day of our shop talk series.

from piccsy

Staying Inspired is super important. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and can't reach that part of our brain that is creative. Other times we are flowing with so many ideas we can't write them down fast enough! I find when I walk away from the computer, TV, magazines is when I have a burst of ideas. They usually pop into my head at the most inconvenient of times, such as while I am driving or showering, or almost asleep! These times are when the mind is quiet and has a chance to explore, ponder, and brainstorm freely without limits. And always, always, always write your ideas down the minute you can. Keep an idea book for all your ideas and inspiration so you can remember that innovative product and refer to it. I have a binder with tabs for Blog, Shop, School, Children's lessons and such. One binder to put everything in :)

Brainstorming is one of my favorite things to do - there are no bad ideas during a brainstorming session, isn't that great?!! You can be as out of the box impossible as you want to be. Then later focus and see if these ideas are possible somehow. What if you hired help for something that is our of your skill set? Would it be worth it? Are there things you can learn to make your terrific ideas a possibility? You can do it!

Taking regular breaks is key for your mind to quiet and allow for inspiration.

I also find that life experience keeps me inspired. Saying no to going out with friends and going places and hanging out with family only leads to isolation, which leads to depression, which makes for a very stifled imagination, it might as well be extinct if your life is cut off.

from Departika

Find ways to incentivize yourself when you are hitting a wall or getting burnt out. Besides taking regular breaks also consider rewarding yourself when you finish the job. Instead of having that cookie, or the new boots now, reward yourself with them when you meet your reasonable goals.

from enjoy cupcakes

It keeps you motivated with something to look forward to, a goodie like a carrot waiting on the other end when you're done! Go to coffee, get a pedi, bake, go out to the movies with friends. Yay! you did it! Celebrate! It doesn't have to be something big you finished, just reward yourself when are feeling glum. It will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step + you will probably work faster :)

To conclude our series I wanted to leave you with some experts in the field
and how they can help you...

I took the class Blog Love from Elsie Flanigan of a beautiful mess. It was a wonderful view into how she got her start and key elements of work and staying inspired and motivated.

I loved Indie Biz 3.0 from Leigh-Ann, Lisa, and Jill. It was chock-full of a ton of stuff I had no clue how to do - you know the nuts and bolts - the logical stuff that my creative mind doesn't go flocking towards such as pricing your products, organizing your calendar, advertising, hiring help, finding resources, making your schedule work with family and life, production, packaging and so much more. No indie shop owner should be with out this 6 week course! They will begin Indie Biz 4.0 early winter this year so be sure to check it out!

Staying connected to shops and blogs and networking at craft shows, and conferences will also be a huge asset to you and your business. Having support by your closest family members is also necessary. Just that they believe in you is all that is needed anything above that is frosting on your cupcake :)

Thank you so much for joining me!

xoxo,

krystina