Clearing the decks

I had something of an epiphany over my Christmas break. I say epiphany, more like just some time to make considerations about my businesses.

I’ve been designing things for Finest Imaginary for years now, and have yet to properly ‘retire’ any designs. I’ve realised that my use of materials, intricacy of design & overall aesthetic has completely changed since the early days. So much so that when I look at my first designs (the teapot, the grr/arg necklaces), I  barely recognise them as being something I’ve made.

They still sell well, don’t get me wrong, the EPIC necklace in particular being one of my best sellers (it’s been featured in magazines & newspapers, even!). But… well, they don’t excite me.

And what’s the point of making something if it doesn’t excite you? None, nada, zilch! And don’t get me started on how much my older designs get ripped off (ripe for picking, I can’t exactly lay claim to XOXO in helvetica, can I?).

I left my day job a few years ago because I wasn’t excited, and I’d hate to feel the same about my own business. That’d be the saddest thing EVER! I don’t want to wake up one morning & start weeping because I have to make another 50 POW necklaces. I want to wake up feeling inspired to make something exciting!

So, I’m clearing the decks. I’m retiring almost all of my silhouette style designs, keeping just a couple that are dear to my heart. It’s quite risky, being that they make up almost 50% of my current inventory, but where would we be if we didn’t take risks?

So, how can you apply this same thinking to your own business or venture? If you work at something & you’re not excited by it, if it’s starting to feel like a chore, then you need to have a GOOD, HARD think about why you’re doing it.

• You’re doing it because it brings in cash flow. It’s a good – and incredibly relevant – point. We all need to survive & grow, and cash flow plays a great part in this. However, what are you sacrificing because of it? Could you be working on something even more fantastic that would improve cash flow tenfold? Think about it.
• It’s just what you do. STOP. RIGHT. THERE. It’s not. If it’s not what you go to bed dreaming about, or wake up excited about, then it’s not what you do. It’s just what you’re comfortable doing, and I’m here to tell you that that’s BORING. STOP RESTING ON YOUR LAURELS!
• Customers might get really mad/upset/disappointed if you stop doing it. Psshh! They’ll get over it, or you’ll get new customers.

So if you’re getting sick & tired of working on the same old thing, then maybe it’s time to make some changes and get excited again. Dontcha think?