So, how's business?

It's already February 7 - how's that list of projects coming along?

It's not a new theme, but it's so relevant this time of year...

In less than four weeks WPPI will kick off with the first day of their trade show and I'll have a chance to catch up to dozens of friends. Everybody will be talking about what kind of year 2013 was. Over and over again the question will be asked, "So, how's business?"  The answer will range from "Incredible!" to "I think it's time to hang it up!"

Attitudes will range from frustrated to elated, but there will be one common denominator and the reason we're all there, passion for the craft. It's the universal component that keeps everyone in the game. In fact, no matter what kind of year you might have had last year, some time during the year you had that one achievement that keeps you in the game. It's like that forty foot putt you once nailed that keeps bringing you back to golf.

Regardless of how good or bad your business was last year, it was a hard year!  But, there's a new year starting and there's nothing worse than being in the first quarter carrying the burden of loose ends from the past!

Loose ends are all those projects you procrastinated about and they range from mending fences with your adversaries to cleaning up the back room of your studio. You're running out of time to get this stuff out of your hair! Relax, I'm not suggesting you need to clean it all up today - but what a kick to put this stuff down in a list and then start checking them off one at a time over the next few weeks.

Remember half the battle is beating procrastination.  We put things off, waiting for the shoemaker's elves to come in the middle of the night and clean up the mess.  Sadly the only elves who show up are the Keebler Cookie guys and they only add to your belt line!

I found this on a quote site from Orison Swett Marden, an inspirational author from the late 1800's

"A lobster, when left high and dry among the rocks, does not have the sense enough to work his way back to the sea, but waits for the sea to come to him. If it does not come, he remains where he is and dies, although the slightest effort would enable him to reach the waves, which are perhaps within a yard of him. The world is full of human lobsters; people stranded on the rocks of indecision and procrastination, who, instead of putting forth their own energies, are waiting for some grand billow of good fortune to set them afloat."

Okay, get out a pad of paper and make that list...I did mine a few minutes before writing this post and while I've made no progress, it's at least a start!  I am however craving a bag of Keebler Cookies!

Illustration Credit: © coramax - Fotolia.com

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