Least talk...

There were some excellent responses on a call that I put out for others willing to consider or who thinking about the submission process. Some of those responses discussed important considerations and for me personally, a lot to the same ones I am currently facing: time, effort, and the money to be successful doing it. {You can read the original thread here: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&thread_id=1813961}

I, myself, had originally made some of the decisions regarding where I desired to be, took some of the necessary steps to get myself there, and then ran out of some of the above mentioned resources to accomplish them. Those resources, the time, the effort, and the money to complete my hopes and dreams were running low. I could quickly sense within me a sinking feeling and once again my own inner critic reared its ugly head. "See, I told you." "Did you really think you could accomplish this?" Well, I decided right there and then, "Yes! I knew it could happen" and "Yes, I really thought I could accomplish this!" I could have taken the self-alluring aproach and had myself a self-pity party {far more easily than you'll ever know} or I could do what I did, realizing that I had choices.

I took it as another opportunity to learn from. I saw where I began going astray, I looked at the roadblocks in my way to achieving my goals, and I sought out ways to either around them or through them. I became even more persistent to see my goal through to completion by looking for alternative ways to continue to reach those needs I had. Now, in no way, am I at the place I'd like to be, and I still had that "ideal" notion in my head. When I quickly realized I could start now where I am now and with the supplies I have available to me or I could wait.

Why did I choose not to wait? Because I realized by waiting for those "ideal" conditions to manifest themselves, I wasn't working to get where I desired to be! I realized that there will always be "ideal" conditions and things that I desire, but that if I didn't start now, when would I? I saw it for what it was, another excuse to avioding doing what I desire to do.

Everyone has to start somewhere, but getting started is the key! I looked at each issue I had and discovered ways to improvise. Not having enough time was a big one for me until I asessed it. I looked at what exactly it was with my time management ability that was preventing me from getting started. I found some projects, some people, and some time-wasters that I'd need to work on finishing up so I could get started. I found some people in my life that I was wasting my time with. I found some time-robbers in my life that I could do without. I set to work on some of the projects to eliminate them. I set to working on the people in my life who were wasting my time. I explained to them that I had a goal and I needed to work on those goals more. Some were understanding and some weren't but the point is they now know where I am, what I am working to do with my life, and aren't wasting as much as my time. I looked at those time-robbers... too much computer time, too much time spent in front of the TV, too much time spent on the telephone, and I set some goals to decrease them. I realized why I didn't have the effort I needed to be making because I was wasting my effort on too many other things in my life. Once I decided, this is it and began making the effort, I realized it wasn't an effort at all because I was enjoying what I was now doing and more importantly, I wanted to do it more!

The money issue wasn't as easy for me. Many know I've worked outside the home at a variety of jobs and positions. The employment came and went for many reasons, but for me the most important reason was that I wasn't happy. I wasn't tailoring my own reasons for making $$$ in an area that I love, doing what I desired to be doing. I began to look for was to start saving what $$$ I had. Do I really need that cup of $4 Starbucks latte? No. Would I rather save that $4 to be doing what I wanted to really do? You bet your ass, I did! and doing it is what I did. To date, I've saved enough to open a bank checking account complete with a debit/visa card and a credit line, if needed, to get me where I desire to be. This account is separate from my personal account, it is establish for the business at hand only!

Setting up my studio is a great example. Do I need to put all of my supplies in there place before I start? No, as long as I know where they are and can get to them easily enough.

What about my studio office? Did I decide to wait until I had the "ideal" conditions within it? No. I looked at each need I had and assessed it? Do I really need a filing cabinet? No, I could use a make-shift box and dividers to mimic one until I'm in the position where I could afford one. Is a filing cabinet or system still on my wishlist? You bet it is! but it isn't a necessary tool that is preventing me anymore from getting started.

What is stopping you from getting started? I'm certain your list will be very different from mine as we won't have the same hopes and dreams. Our dreams will be different. But, are you assessing those idealizations that you established? Are looking for addressing ways to get around them or through them? Are there ways you can improvise? If you're not, your setting yourself up for entrapment? Entrapment? What is entrapment? It is that self-defeating behavior that exists, often only to you. It is that thought and belief that "if only I had this... or had that" that prevents you from getting started and we all have them. List them, assess them, analyze them. You'll be absolutely amazed at what you may discover. Realizing and admitting them is the first step to overcoming them. Trust me, I know. {smiles}