Taking Mini-Risks

[#1]

Hi team!

I bumped into the most inspiring blog post today:

How to Pick Up a Stranger (or Produce Brilliant Work)
http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/how-to-pick-up-a-stranger-or-produce-brilliant-work/

The moral of the story is this: Building up your confidence by facing your fears can lead to highly productive (and creative) workdays!

So today I challenge you to take one mini-risk. Let me know what it is in this forum thread and let's face them together!

xo
Danielle

[Former_Member]

I love the author's website, Puttylike.com. Now, any advice for people who have always taken risks and need to slow down?

[Rocksntwigs]

interesting read.. ive been taking a risk for about 2 months now i lost my full time job after 11 years and the economy being what it is no one is hiring--just the kick in the pants i needed to get my business going.im taking my shop to the next level. better quality of pictures and more than 20 items in my shop. ive gained my freedom to be crative instead of always putting that on the back burner

[Former_Member]

Taking mini- risks doesn't always mean doing something different. Nowadays doing the same thing you did yesterday is a risk.

[buttonsandbottles]

This is the push I needed! Thanks!

[OrquidiaVioleta]

Today I signed a lease for 6 months, for a New SEWING STUDIO SPACE! The rent is two times as high. It's a "risk" worth taking.

Best-Orchid

[Former_Member]

My mini-risk for today is to write more compelling copy. I'm a poor writer and my copy's generally mechanical. Let's hope I don't dork it up too much ;)

[Former_Member]

That's such an inspiring article! Great idea about just smiling to people on the street as I guess I'm quite introverted. I'm going to put my chin up from now on when I go outside and try to make eye contact with people on the street (and hope I don't fall over on the ice :D)

Then to more work related matters. I'm supposed to be asking for a place to photo shoot my new summer collection and I absolutely tread phone conversations. Call me crazy, but I would much rather go there and ask the person straight (although that is scary too). On the phone you can't read the other person's facial expressions and mood and adapt to that. So I'm going to visit couple places this week end and ask if I can shoot in their cafeteria. Wish me luck :)

[Former_Member]

I posted my first item on Etsy this week! I've put it off because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up with everything else on top of adding a new web venue. I'm so glad I did because it's made me think of my custom veils and how I offer and explain everything in a whole new way.

So my mini risk for today was to take several minutes and think about all the ideas I've been getting and figure out what to do next. My head didn't explode! and I know what small step to take next.

I've been working on my Etsy shop a little bit every day. It hasn't been overwhelming at all. If I keep at slowly but surely I'll have many great items here with helpful descriptions.

[GraniteMountainGems2]

Did others follow the links to Emilie's stuff about being a "multipotentialite" (AKA "scanner" or "renaissance person")? OMG, I totally relate to that! Thanks for sharing the post, which was excellent in itself, but where it led me is very eye-opening about myself!

[Former_Member]

Loved this article, It's a nice approach, face-on, hands-on. Very positive and inspiring. Smiling at a stranger on the street? I might try that today, and see what happens. What I do know for sure it that when someone else I don't know smiles at me for no special reason and for a split-second, I get intense positive vibes and it literally makes my day brighter. So perhaps in the end it's all about reaching out and thereby generating positivity?

[Former_Member]

Awesome article. My risk has been opening my shop on Etsy -- terrifying! Especially since I have no idea what I'm doing. The learning curve is huge, but I'm up for the challenge.

[Former_Member]

I'm turning a really ugly hat into a really cute purse. My depression mentality rules! Also I find my failures often turn out to be my greatest successes so I look forward to a happy outcome. I can't control who buys my "stuff" but I can choose to be happy with it - even when the sky cries - which it often does in Southwest Washington. Not today though. Yippeee I shout as I dance through the woods.

[Former_Member]

This was my response and mini-risk to the article.
"Inspiring words of wisdom! This could not have been more timely. I’m actually pretty good at speaking up in work scenarios, but have more trouble communicating personally. As a mom to a toddler and a partner to a very domineering man, I find that I get lost. I’m trying to start an online store and have been spending any spare moment I can researching and reading about business strategies. Just as I was reading this post I began to be interrupted/guilted. I was thinking,”I have supported XYZ all day long and this is my time to work on something for me.” I took a mini-risk and decided to actually say the words in my head… and do you know what happened?
He said, “you’re right” and went to do his own thing.
Cool!… very Cool!"

[Former_Member]

Thanks for this post. It's really got me thinking. I have taken a couple of mini risks this year, I bought a new camera to take better pictures even though I have little idea how to use it, I'm trying and I'm looking out for the new intake for a photography course near me. I've also splashed out on business cards as although my shop is relatively new and I haven't done a great many fairs yet I think they were an important if risky cost. And then this week I decided to try my hand at jewellery making just to have something different to make and because I've always loved jewellery. It's got me lots of compliments, no sales just yet but it's only been a couple of days.

I think my next risk needs to be setting up a Facebook page for my shop. I have a fear of Facebook since I had a bad experience with my personal page and ended up taking myself off Facebook completely. I just need to take a deep breath and block the people I had problems with before they can even find the page.

After that, who knows? Hopefully lots more fun things!

[LuluOleander]

Love the article. I think women in general find it easier to smile and speak to strangers, I seem to do it alot! I live in a Cotswold village, where you are expected to say "hello" to strangers in the street, as a welcome!

I was terrified when I first opened my Etsy shop, now it just flows beautifully. I suppose you could call it a risk to keep adding new products, hoping they will take off and become the next best seller. Sometimes an items just doesn't work and you have stop listing it eventually, which I find difficult!

[Former_Member]

Thank you for the post and for the link. Seems the article is that what I really need at the moment. I have to take mini-risks! Will do, right toady!

[Former_Member]

I will start socializing not only with my wood carved items but also with people too :)

[therealbadalice]

hi very inspiring post, loved everyones response jordanx

[Former_Member]

A great blog, I have taken a few Mini risks recently as I feel I need to push myself and my art forward instead of expecting it to happen for me.

I joined Etsy as I want to spread my work further than UK based. I also submitted some of my art work to a company who take a three year license of your work. I have had to get over the fear of rejection for this one, and also no sitting and waiting for a reply if they have not got back to me with even a No thanks then I will re contact and keep trying.

I know my work IS good enough.

[Former_Member]

Thank you Danielle.

[Former_Member]

People not things have always been my problem
I feel it's too late in my life to change now
Lots of success in the past but online jewellery business is not getting going at all.
Perhaps I should go back to just gardening but I just love making jewellery
Pity

[Former_Member]

This really works for me! it can be hard to find the courage to talk about your work, i find myself postponing talking to shop owners to see if they will sell my work till I'm in the right mindset, but you always feel a lot better when you just do it!
I find that being abroad always helps me to overcome shyness, when I return home from travelling I go out to get things done more easily (that's one of the reasons I enjoy travelling so much)

[Former_Member]

My mini - or possibly large - risk is to now be 4 days at my day job and one day with Crafty Monster. Scary, but I really hope worth it.

I needed the fear to push the business forward.

[LaAntiguaTextiles]

I actually love to talk to strangers about anything, and I think it is important to be able to do it. Also, it is helpful to train yourself for presentations or speeches, and it is much better if you have somebody to listen to you. As far as risks, I am in the middle of a big one, a new business idea. Exhilarating!

[BobbinAround4U]

I'm really nervous about joining Etsy teams. Never sure if I can put myself out there and paricipate, or just afraid no one will be interested in me or my shop. But this week I joined the Etsy Trade Team. Yes, I did not know how to do specific things on the site, but when I nervously asked the team leader, she was quick and helpful. It is a great start!