I am fortunate enough to have plenty of time available to me to pursue my crafting - that is, I choose NOT to overdo the housework (job list tip: if it has been on your list 3 days running and still not done, then it probably doesn't need doing anyway!) - but I'm pretty pants at dedicating that time to the right cause.
In my professional life (when I had one) I would spend 95% of my working hours at the computer; hence my brain is etched with the following equation : business = computer . Which in some ways is correct in this online, social media marketing, web-tastic day and age - want to set up your own business? - then you need to be a bit of a techie...
But when it comes to setting up a "craft business" I guess I need to focus on BOTH words in that phrase - that is, NOT spend too long at my desk each day, and give the CRAFT part it's fair share of my time. Now, that's not to say I don't make new items every week, or that I can go for days on end with out satisfying my creative hunger - but my brain can't seem to compute the idea that : craft = fun = what I want to do = business quite as readily as the the already ingrained equation learned over 20 years in stuffy offices.
Note to self : ENJOY your work, go CREATE, have FUN with your business...
The problem stems from reading too many online articles about setting up on your own. They drill it into you that you must have an "online presence" that "networking is the key" and that "social media is the new marketing forum" - but what they forget to remind you is... if you don't make anything, you won't have anything to sell!!
Thankfully things have not got that bad yet...
(with thanks to ClipArt Online for the free pics...)
3 comments:
You're not on your own with these thoughts. I used to have a desk job for over 12 years. I remember when I first started the business it just seemed like I was "playing at being in business". True you do have to commit some time to the net as like you say its all about getting yourself out there.
One of the reasons I got myself a studio space was so that I could "go out" to work hence having a separate work and home life.
I do a little bit of catching up at home ie emails etc and then go off to the studio to do some what I laughingly call "work". Then come home in the evening and do a little bit more on the pc so at least I'm not online on a 9 to 5 basis.
Sorry for the long post but just wanted you to know that you're not alone.
Thank you Anita - good to know I'm not alone! Next month, when I get my workshop (shed) set up I will have a PC free zone to work in - then maybe I can separate the two like you do... Glad to know I'm not the only one! ;-)
I think you've nailed it with this post. It is SO hard to fit everything in, and I struggle with that daily, usually at the cost of sleep!
However when I do have free time it's hard to find the right tasks to complete so that I feel like I've achieved something worthwhile, yet enjoyed myself at the same time.
Part and parcel of doing what we do, I suppose.
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