Celebrations and the Value of Doing the Work
I took the photo above just after Christmas last year. This snowy scene from my yard reminds me of winter's magic. Can you believe we're just one day away from the Winter Solstice?
I'm in the final stretch of wrapping gifts and finishing up some design work before I take a few days off to spend time with my family for Christmas. As I look back over the year, I know I didn't accomplish everything I set out to do, but I am proud of the things that did get done. Last year at this time Sunlight Forest did not exist. And now I am celebrating sending out my 34th newsletter. In the process I've found that I love creating this newsletter to connect with you each week.
I've also discovered that I enjoy doing behind the scenes work for creative business owners. In the last few weeks, I've contacted several prospects and I'm excited to start working with a new client next week.
This year will go down as the year I finally started doing the work. Not just thinking about what it might be like to be a creative business owner, but actually taking steps to become one. I've learned a powerful lesson, first hand. Doing the work creates results, even when they aren't the results I expect. Even when I have no idea what I'm doing, doing something is better than waiting until I feel more sure.
This past week I wrote an email to an artist I really admire to see if she needed any behind the scenes help. I wrote about how much I love her work. I told her that I have her latest book proudly displayed on my desk. I made my pitch and hit send. Pressing the send button was much harder than I thought it would be, but I did it. Afterward, I expected to feel proud of myself. But, instead, I felt exposed and even a little embarrassed. Who was I to be contacting this revered illustrator and artist? Why would she want to work with me? I reasoned that she probably already had a team of people handling her day to day tasks. And the reality is that I probably will never hear from her.
But, I needed to take that step. To reach beyond who I am in this moment to the person I could be in the future. I didn't let my feelings of doubt stop me. In fact, I sent another email to a different artist that same day. And I got a response and setup a meeting. The meeting went very well and now I have a new client.
I am learning that it is okay not to know what I'm doing. To try things and try again when they don't work. I understand that even that artist I admire had to start somewhere. That's why I'm more confident than ever that 2023 is going to be a BIG year. I'm so glad you are along for the ride. I wouldn't be here without you.
For now, I'm happy to announce the opening of my new RedBubble shop and you'll see some brand new products below. I'll be taking a break from this newsletter over the Christmas and New Year's holidays in order to spend time with family and also to make magic behind the scenes. Stay tuned for some new designs in the new year!
I hope you have a fabulous holiday season filled with love and joy!