January article image

The new year gives you permission to let things go.

With my upcoming move to a whole new state, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what it means for a business owner to pick up shop and move.  It’s not as simple, certainly, as moving for a cubicle job.  I have a whole new network to set up, a new client list to create, and a new environment to feel out to determine what of my products complements the local flavor.  In addition, there’s also a lot of letting go to be done.

This week I packed up all of my belongings and spent countless hours purging my possessions. Nothing was safe.  Old artwork, old clothes, art books I hadn’t glanced at in the past 3 years, it all landed in the recycle/donate pile so that I can fit in the moving pod.  It also means I can have room in my new place for new inspiration, new artwork, and new books.

 

People like to say that moving is a new beginning : but it’s also the chance to put an end to old things.

 

For me, my move will be a chance to end a lot of things:

  • Selling in consignment shops is so out!  Wholesale only is in.
  • Multi-tasking didn’t help me get ahead at all last year so in 2014, I’m focusing on one thing at a time.
  • No more inundated inboxes.
  • No more overflowing inventories!  I’m instead focusing on very limited edition runs of prints.
  • No more surrounding myself with things I think I should have around me.  Instead, I need to let my brand and personality shine.  (This has been something I’ve worked on with every move as I try to tell myself that just because I was an English major, doesn’t mean I need to own every major work of literature.  Similarly, if you’re a jeweler, you don’t need to surround yourself with every type of stone or metal, just the ones that excite you.)
  • I need to stop reacting to day-to-day problems and instead start planning out weeks and months in advance.

 

But putting an end to old things is not just something to do when you’re moving.  The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to make a list of things that aren’t working for you in your business and your life.  The more specific your list is, and the more specific the consequences of each is, the better chance you have of making a change in 2014.

What ‘old’ thing do you want to let go of?

Image source: Studio MME

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