Don't Lose Your Fire!

I have a confession to make.

Picture Frames.  Not Framed Art. 

There you have it. 

I walked in to the store all excited to check out their picture frame collection, the 12s by 16s to be precise, so how is it that I ended up with this piece of framed art with the simple phrase "Don't Lose Your Fire"? The thing is, this "simple" phrase carries a powerful message that spoke to me on multiple levels.

It reminds me that it's ok to have those doubts and yes there will be times when I will question why I do what I do and why I keep on keeping at it even when the results I would like and how and when I like, are not syncing up with my desired speed. 

This phrase reminds me to keep on powering through because that person who gets it, "it" being your solution to their need, be it a product or service, will get it.  

Remember, no one does it like you.  Let your "je ne sais quoi"  through in your creative endeavor and in your delivery.  The person who gets it will most likely be your biggest cheerleader, your best brand advocate.

Here are a few ways I stay inspired.

1. The Sky is Blue softened by the Burnt Orange glow.  Be more observant about what is going on around you and this may be simply paying more careful attention to the details, the dialogue in a movie or the lyrics of a song or the way that cute baby smiles back at you.

2.  Read, Read and Read some more.  I must confess this is still a work in progress and I am realizing that I am more excited when I am reading different books within a set time. Being able to switch up books so easily spices up my reading experience.  Also it could be a mix of reading material, a magazine and a novel or it could be an autobiography and blog posts or even perusing retail stores catalogues.

3.  Social Media Searches.  Searches for terms of interest on Pinterest and other visual social media platforms or listening to a variety of podcasts.

4.  Try out new things even if unrelated.  Attendinga workshop or event that is totally unrelated to my endeavor just to gain a different perspective and perhaps learn something new and meet some interesting people.  This could be done in a relaxed environment such as volunteering at a Film Festival which offers me the opportunity to sit in on a few sessions for free and comes with a free t-shirt to boot.

5. Like minded, positive networks are a big plus especially for small or new businesses which may have a lot of questions about the process.  Join a few networks and it does not have to be anything formal that allows for the exchange ideas and a forum for asking questions can make a difference between giving up in exasperation or pushing through to the next phase.  Facebook has a number of different groups worth checking out.

6. Speak up.  Always share what you do when you have an opportunity.  It does not have to be your well crafted elevator pitch.  Look for an in which could be as simple as identifying an area of shared commonality.  Who would have thought that a conversation about using bank card readers at a craft fair would result in my receiving valuable information on local area pop ups and fairs that are in need of vendors.

7.  Rest is King or Key.  Balance it out with taking out time for yourself to reboot.  Knowing when to cut it off and get some rest is an art I am yet to master but I can tell the difference in my energy level and creativity when I do.  Rest definitely does a body good.  Scratch that.  It does a body, soul and mind wonders.

Don't Lose Your Fire! and to that I will add Don't Lose Your Ginger!