A work in progress...

Well, my hiatus is taking longer than expected!! I am finding it difficult to get the right groove going. The way things were going wasn't working because I was not being productive in any of the right areas. As a result I am running very low on ambition to get moving again! I am now realizing I was putting the efforts in the wrong places, getting my name out there and staying out there. What I should be doing is creating things that I LOVE, which will translate a whole lot better to my customers. When my shop became a job - something I HAD to do, I completely lost sight of the whole reason I started it: Sharing things I create and love with other people of like minds. I haven't sewed anything in months because I have lost the ambition and creativity. I haven't put any effort in to the shop since the Holidays because all the work I put in prior was not paying off at all. And my priorities as a homeschool mom and wife suffered for it. I now feel better and stronger in those areas, but just have no motivation to get back to work at the shop. I know I need to do an overhaul, especially of the pics, which is probably the first thing keeping me away. I will not lie, I hate taking the pictures. I can't seem to get it right, and I get very very frustrated as a result. I have tried different angles, different lighting, and tried to follow advice I have been given; but nothing comes out as I'd like it. And the pics are very time consuming, and time is something I am short on! What makes it worse is when I do put the effort in I don't get the response I hoped for and so comes more frustration and feelings of "why am I doing this again?" The shop seems like it was way more work than it was worth, and I realized something has got to give! This is not how it should be. So over these months off I have been first and foremost taking a breather, :) but secondly I have been slowly re-evaluating what my wants and needs are where the shop is concerned, and re-developing my focus. I am gradually coming up with new ideas and my motivation is returning. While I am not totally there, I am getting there. A work in progress. :) Mostly what I am learning and realizing is that the only schedule and path I should follow is my own. I need to feel a responsibility to myself and my happiness first so that I can be happy in all the other areas. In my opinion the whole idea of entrepreneurship following your passion and doing what you love everyday. Since this most basic idea got lost for me, I was doomed for failure. So, I am getting back to basics. I am relearning my passions and refocusing my energy into being creative, and creating what I love. Only then can I resume marketing myself, but doing so in a way that is productive while allowing me to remain passionate about my work. It needs to come naturally, or not at all. I need to follow my heart, always. So, now you know where I am and have been. Happily I am slowly returning!! :) Suzanne