Getting Distracted and Excuses (or maybe not?)

Patience is not my thing

Did I say last week that the shop was almost done? I lied.

Not really. Not lied, just failed to realise there were even more items I had to click on, then find out what they meant, check back with the Hub to see what their policies are and how that fits into what I should enable in the shop dashboard… and so on. Having someone else fulfil orders really makes things more complicated too.

If I thought it was just a case of making sure the three areas that had nice green ticks on them were the bulk of it, I was sorely mistaken.

It's not even clear when you've actually completed all aspects of setting up your shop. But all the ‘how to’ sites and videos say it’s so easy, you cry. Nah. It aint, and I've seen the half baked shops!

Take the Time and Get It Right AKA Excuses for Effing About

Fact: There’s a couple more things I need to check out/complete and I should do a test purchase but I have to ‘turn off’ the print app first. How do I even do that? (I can’t.)

Sensible Decision: So I’ve made the decision that I’m not going to scramble like mad to try and get it up and running before I post this, but I want to be sure it’s all done, and that it’ll work. I really want it out of the way so my head space is cleared out for other things.

I’m finishing off a sculpture as well - just the final bronze bits to add - in between various things so that’s not forgotten.

!!DIVERSION TACTIC ALERT!!

Words are So Much Easier

I did say I was going to be honest about how this whole creative thing goes. Including the stupid stuff I do. And my avoidance tactics. But I estimate this is one part avoidance and three parts being on a roll.

I’ve continued with the writing. In fact, it’s been a HUGE distraction. But I’m willing to admit that it’s been so much more interesting than boring myself to death with apps, shops and web pages.

I’m really wondering if writing is even more of a pull than art. It may simply be another buried facet of what makes me tick, and it’s finally getting an outlet, hence the explosion of ideas popping out.

This has been fun!

I’ve been scouring through blogs, articles, best blog sites, Amazon books titles, scribbling notes furiously, starting multiple Word docs to madly type more snippets of thoughts, and ordered a couple more books on writing non-fiction that look like they cut through the crap and get to the point of how to write engaging pieces and put it out there. (I’m still a bit inclined to write as if I’m doing papers for university and having to reference or justify everything.)

And I have three part-read books about writing on my table and just bought “Side Hustle” by Chris Guillebeau.

Momentum. When it’s there, use it.

I now have 22 topics including a sort of introductory one for what will likely be a blog; some of those pieces will go on Medium as well, and a couple of long form ones that might turn into book length. That’s my sort of basic plan. Details get put in later.

Some of those papers from uni went down very well, with suggestions I should consider publishing them. Possible book there as well.

This is what I’ve missed since finishing uni (my MA ended in 2011); the reading, thinking and sorting out all the ideas.

So Not All Bad Then?

The shop will get done. So I can get some head space back. One of my scans won’t upload after I had to amend something on the Hub, so now I only have two prints for sale.

That feels a bit lame.

So, hmm, how many of my matted pieces could I re-do as acrylics (because they look way better in print) so I can get them scanned on Monday and added to the site?

Creating and setting things up – I can do this. I can do a lot of this and I can work fast. Getting out of the work room and into the world – physically and internet-ally (…) that’s my weak spot. It’s also the thing that will make all the difference isn't it? If no one sees you, it doesn't matter what you're doing.