Things I’ve learned in 2011

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Trying to do this thing I call a dream job and being still everything else I was before, wife, kitty owner, chauffeur, house keeper, fight breaker upper… all the hats a mom wears and now all the hats a business owner wears, I’ve learned a few things this year that I want (need) to keep in mind for 2012. A year I hope will bring great things! These might not all be nuggets of wisdom but all true for me 🙂

No one can make YOU confident but YOURSELF. That is certainly a daily struggle I have. Going forward into unknown territory and having the confidence to know that it will work out and it all takes time. No one is going to sit with me and cheer me on with pompoms and tell me I’m awesome, I have to believe it on my own.

Its all gotta get done… but it all doesn’t have to be done today. When my to-do list is longer than the book I read at night its hard to even want to look at it let alone do what needs to be done. Maybe you’re like me and if your To Do list isn’t all checked off ToDay its hard to feel like you’re getting anything done. To Do and Today should not look so much alike btw, its totally not helpful. Learning to prioritize is a must!

Asking for help is ok and sometimes a must. I’m stubborn. SO stubborn in fact that I can annoy myself by being stubborn but alas I’m too stubborn to admit that… don’t let my hubs read this! I could say “I am strong willed” but that’s just giving stubborn an expensive make over at the mall. I hate asking for help, it makes me feel like I’ve somehow failed at the task or just in general. Even if I know I’m not suited to it and would do a poor job if I bulled thru. Luckily I’m getting better. Hubs does certain things for me that would make me want to muffle my screams in a thick pillow (the accounting is a prime example) and I’m happy to let him as I still get the knowledge needed minus the agony of doing the deed. But that took a long time to relinquish. Stubborn can have a death grip sometimes and I have to know when to loosen it.

When packing orders, don’t put the invoice IN the sealed inner envelope before you label it. This one is silly to say out loud but OMG so true! We had this pile of orders we were stuffing at once and the pile became less of a pile and more like an avalanche. It took me 3 times as long to sort everything back out and 1 still got messed up. That one event changed how I do one whole part of my business!

Its the little things that make the job wonderful. Yes, getting a 2 page spread in Papercrafts with nothing but Odd Girls on the pages would be nothing but amazing but the issue would come and go and it would be done. Though probably framed in my office. Talking to people, the sweet notes left in the customer comments of orders, interacting with my team and allll the new people I get to meet, talk with and friendships that grow from it are the best part hands down! But a spread wouldn’t hurt  ^u^

No one is going to push you but yourself. If I’m not motivated I don’t have anyone to look to with puppy dog eyes and say “motivate me!” I could look at my cat but she would just give me that cat look that tells you where to go in no uncertain terms with language too harsh for a sweet kitty to be using. Making goals, posting reminders, making my dreaded to do (today) list, bouncing ideas around (even if its just in my head), working on new sketches… all of these things keep me excited to do it every day. Even just knowing what the future could bring if I work hard enough gets me out of bed and right to work. 

Take some time off! That one needed an exclamation point. I don’t know where I read it recently but it said that your brain is like any other muscle, it needs to be worked but exercising it only helps it grow if you let it rest too. Days off, even lunch breaks or grocery shopping are needed. I struggle with this and don’t do it enough or some weeks at all. Its a regular question at our house “did you have lunch today?” Sometimes I can’t honestly remember but I know if I do I feel way better. Sticking to a end time for the day is another struggle that needs addressing in 2012. My brain won’t turn off! Time off is time for family and time to take care of  yourself. 

 

I’m sure there’s more, and maybe I’ll come back to this sometime, but these have been big ones for me. I’m sure I’ll have to relearn them in the coming year too. Did you learn anything important in 2011? 

15 Comments
  • Aj. says:

    You forgot the one about locking the other half in the closet on those days they decide to just plain get in the way, and leaving your sanity on the shelf when things get a bit crazy lol.

    Yep its a juggle, but its a fun juggle, after a year of slogging and pushing out masses of samples, I know have 7 stores I supply regular large monthly orders to, and a customer list thats a few pages long, I wouldn’t change my job for anything on earth now !

    Here’s to an equally awesome 2012 !

    Aj.

    • Kristy says:

      Right on Aj! I wouldn’t trade it! I had major headaches when I worked my day job but they were different and frankly unsatisying. Headaches now are productive! Bc that means things are getting done and I’m learning 🙂

  • Cassie says:

    How do you pack your orders? Maybe yours is easier than mine…LOL!
    I put the invoice in their package with a thank you note then put their name on the outside of the package. Then I weigh them and put the weight on the outside of the package too. I tape the label over that. Is yours easier? =)

    • Kristy says:

      I had to go find a pic… http://www.theoddgirl.com/2011/05/release-day-2/

      I stamp the bag, insert a board, put the stamps in, seal the bag, tie with twine and tie on the thank you card.

      I was printing two copies of the invoice and sealing one in the envie and the other put with it for labeling but that was my downfall. Now we just leave it unsealed and seal it AFTER its weighed and everything, less paper used that way too. I think your packing/shipping is definitely tougher! All my stuff is flat lol.

  • Danni says:

    I think it’s always so interesting to see how people I admire have some common concerns/lessons that I do. I hope that 2012 is a fabulous year for you and for Some Odd Girl!!

    • Kristy says:

      Thanks tons Danni!!! :DD * :eeep: admired!!!*

  • kate says:

    here’s to another great year next year Kristy dollie!! minus as many envelopes being stuffed x2!

    • Kristy says:

      OMG yes! Cheers to that Kate!

  • Zarah says:

    I adore you. This entire post makes me smile. You’re so open and generous with yourself, and you are such a wonderfully sweet, positive, lovely person.
    One think I learned this year? To appreciate you more.
    Hugs!

  • Kristy says:

    :love: :eeep: you my lovely lady are going to make me get all teary! I :love: you tons!!!

  • Bridget says:

    Great suggestions! I’m printing this & putting it over my desk! Thanks so much for your kindness & generosity. Happy New Year!

  • Kacy @ Copic Marker says:

    Love this post! 🙂

  • Michelle Hernandez says:

    Great quote by the way. Pinned onto my inspiration board as this whole post is something all creative types (or business types) need to hear every once in a while. 😉

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