Ok, so today's question is 'What do we hope to learn/achieve this year?'
I've probably started to answer this question already in my posts since early January, but I haven't sort of set it down in a list as such, so maybe this is my opportunity...
I want this year to firstly be a year of change in my personal life... we want to move home... while renting has been easy, it's not really 'home' as such and I think that's what D and I are missing. We also need space, wool is very insulating in the winter, but not something I really want to be looking at while I'm eating dinner! So the search is on...
Business-wise, again change is key. I really want to refocus myself, things felt a little out-of-hand towards the end of last year... busy in a good way, but chaotic and chaos scares me [the 'me' who likes to be organised!] Writing lists upon, lists of things I need to do, just doesn't get things done. Instead I need a time plan and to stitck to it...
Just this week, I started shipping orders daily and am using a new business system with Royal Mail so at least dispatch will be a little less complicated. The time I hope to save I will invest back into customers, product and sales... each in their own way need a little refocus this year. I feel like I need to take the step between a small business 'trying to find it's way' and a 'focused' small business with committed confidence to the market I work in and goals set for acheivement. This probably sounds like I haven't had a clue about what I have been doing so far... but I think it's more a confidence thing [will it work, won't it? Should I really go ahead and say, 'this is what I do?' Am I ready for the next step?' Do I see a future where I employ staff, or is this just something to amuse me during the day, while D is at work?]... maybe confidence is something we all struggle with when taking bigger steps??? The first sign of my lack of confidence is showing now... as I read this back... it scares the hell out of me, that I just sounded so very business like... but then who else is going to do it for me... I need to take the reins and run with this thing. I want it to work and to grow, so I need to shape up! [there, that told me!!] So change it is...
Me... what do I want for 'me' this year? Well, as some of you know... I have this thing about trying my hand at new crafts, or learning and this year is no different. Although I won't be learning from scratch, I will be picking up knitting again. I have been inspired by customers to explore the other fibre crafts that I can make out of my fibre! I have ordered myself a few books and found my needles... I'll start small, but who knows by the end of the year I hope to have made something at least!
I want this year to firstly be a year of change in my personal life... we want to move home... while renting has been easy, it's not really 'home' as such and I think that's what D and I are missing. We also need space, wool is very insulating in the winter, but not something I really want to be looking at while I'm eating dinner! So the search is on...
Business-wise, again change is key. I really want to refocus myself, things felt a little out-of-hand towards the end of last year... busy in a good way, but chaotic and chaos scares me [the 'me' who likes to be organised!] Writing lists upon, lists of things I need to do, just doesn't get things done. Instead I need a time plan and to stitck to it...
Just this week, I started shipping orders daily and am using a new business system with Royal Mail so at least dispatch will be a little less complicated. The time I hope to save I will invest back into customers, product and sales... each in their own way need a little refocus this year. I feel like I need to take the step between a small business 'trying to find it's way' and a 'focused' small business with committed confidence to the market I work in and goals set for acheivement. This probably sounds like I haven't had a clue about what I have been doing so far... but I think it's more a confidence thing [will it work, won't it? Should I really go ahead and say, 'this is what I do?' Am I ready for the next step?' Do I see a future where I employ staff, or is this just something to amuse me during the day, while D is at work?]... maybe confidence is something we all struggle with when taking bigger steps??? The first sign of my lack of confidence is showing now... as I read this back... it scares the hell out of me, that I just sounded so very business like... but then who else is going to do it for me... I need to take the reins and run with this thing. I want it to work and to grow, so I need to shape up! [there, that told me!!] So change it is...
Me... what do I want for 'me' this year? Well, as some of you know... I have this thing about trying my hand at new crafts, or learning and this year is no different. Although I won't be learning from scratch, I will be picking up knitting again. I have been inspired by customers to explore the other fibre crafts that I can make out of my fibre! I have ordered myself a few books and found my needles... I'll start small, but who knows by the end of the year I hope to have made something at least!
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/
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This post was part of a blog Merry go Around, where I have got together with some friends to talk about a similar subject on the same day... a nice way to meet people!
Alison at Tweed Delights - http://idreamoftweed.blogspot.com/
Mitsy at MindArt - http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/
Kim at Vilt a la Kim - http://viltalakim.blogspot.com/
Sara at Crafts of Texture - http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/
Fabienne at Easterya Jewellery Creations - http://easterya.blogspot.com/
Mariana at Florcita - http://www./florcita.eu/
Agathe at Le Bar du Vent - http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/
Lily at Lily Pang Art and Design - http://lilypangart.blogspot.com/
Wendren at Wren Design - http://thewrendesign.com/
Ruth at Birdland Creations - http://insidetheartisan.blogspot.com/
13 comments:
Fab aims for the next year. I hope I can keep up with your blog and see all your plans come to life. Good luck.
A x
I feel the same like you about a business. I also want to take it to a higher level, but am also "busted" with all these questions adn uncertainties.... Time will tell and when you never try you cannot say it worked or not.....
I love how you want it to work and grow & I wish you the best of luck!
Can't wait to see some of you rnew projects in the making! :)
There is a lot to learn and sometime it is struggling. The more I do and the more I feel you are inadequate sometime. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about running a small business. I get inspired a lot.
I could do with doing something like this!
Am glad to hear RM and you are set up and i completely know how you feel about the "is this next step big or small?" feelings - i'd say, just go with it and circumstances will come along to let you know what is right. My dh finally leaving work was a massive step, but was made easy by voluntary redundancies coming up. It felt like the universe was sending a message. And you are lucky to be in a far less competitive market than us. I've been trying to buy some rowan wool cotton this week and i swear there isn't a decent generic wool shop on the internet. I'm sorely tempted to do it myself!
Merry, funny you should mention yarns... I'm just waiting for my first delivery of yarns for the shop!
I'll let you know when they are in!
Sx
Hi Ladies... yes, I have quite the list, don't I?!
Thank you for all being so supportive as usual... I'm sure I will keep you updated.
Have a fab weekend!
Sxxx
You sounded very professional which is not the same to say all corporate ahahaha To reassure your confidence, the ones that have been at this end of your biz world, your costumers, are very pleased with your work.
By the way, package arrived yesterday. Im working against the clock for a fair so I haven't had time to write to you... and today the computer had a momentary lapse of crazyness and wouldn't work, so IM way behind with the merry post too!
I love seeing the changes you've made already this year. Hope the home situation comes together soon, then that will make a great difference to all in your head, when you feel settled. Look forward to seeing the knitting.....I'd do more if only it was quicker - or I was quicker!!!
I loved reading your post Sara - very inspiring to someone like me who 'dreams' of having a fully functioning small business! I think it will all turn out great :) Sorry I'm late commenting - at my 'office job' today :/ Look forward to getting to know you on the merry-go-round :D
Alison
Thank you very much Ladies... Really enjoyed this Merry!
Sx
Very inspiring!! I admire your willingness to change!! And you sound very professional too!! :)
Great post, thanks!!
I love it that you love to learn because we get to explore and learn with you! So thank you in advance. Again! :)
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