Over the next few months, I will be writing periodic reports on my little paper dream. These reports are written in a journal format to help express how this journey unfolds. I would love your feedback/comments as I write these reports (would be really helpful!). Also, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments or via email!
*If you have no idea what crazy little paper dream I’m talking about, check out report no. 1 and report no. 2.
This little paper dream of mine is getting real—really real. I think I just realized that. It’s so much more fun to dream than to implement. However, turning this dream into a reality is turning into a very rewarding (and fun) process!
Things I’ve relearned about myself so far:
- I’m very hard on myself.
- I set unrealistic expectations.
- I don’t give up.
- I’m not good at letting others help me (but I’m trying so very hard to get better at this).
The Not So Good
I’m upset with myself about the timing of this project. Although it may not have looked like it, this past year has been a less hectic year for me schedule wise. I wish I would have started this project and been able to release the final product when I had time to fully enjoy it. When the paper dream comes to life, my schedule will again be in overdrive. I really want to soak up this experience so will try my best to be gentle on myself and celebrate this little paper dream despite an over filled calendar. To this end, I’ve begun brainstorming what I want my involvement to look like when this paper dream launches. The goal is to begin preparing ahead of time for my ideal involvement rather than when I’m feeling overwhelmed and absolutely exhausted.
The Good
Currently, I have a lot of different components in motion. I need to begin to pull the pieces together and get back to big picture planning and project management.
I went a bit overboard with all the details. I did not slack off on any area. I want this experience and dream to fully come alive and to do that I had to find just the right people to compose my “dream team!” The dream team is pretty much complete and I’m really proud of the diversity of talents I’ve brought together.
Since the last report, I found a new printer (Mama’s Sauce) and officially placed the order yesterday! I have also finalized most of the photo styling ideas with the ladies of Beau and Arrow (who are truly beyond amazing, so creative and detail-oriented—the perfect combination).
As an aside: why does nobody share their resources in this business!? It’s crazy to me. I’m obviously not following that rule and will be sharing all the resources along the way (will even put together a little resource guide for other dreamers at the end of this journey).
Reflection
I’ve been thinking a lot about my preparation going into this project. And it’s eerily similar to my preparation going into almost all of my past dreams that became a reality.
I jumped into this project without doing much (or any) real research. I can probably safely say that no business consultant would advise this tactic. There are so many things I could have learned before embarking on this paper project that would have made the logistics SO MUCH EASIER, but I didn’t. Honestly, if I knew about all the work that this little dream would entail, I probably would have never started. I would have over researched and over analyzed until the passion dwindled away. So I guess you can say I learn things the hard way; however, I learn them my own way which is most important to me. I don’t think there is any one formula for anything we do. Each person comes from a different background with different experiences/different knowledge/different resources. We best learn what works for us by diving in and doing some experimental navigating. And by doing things a little differently than everyone else, you tend to stand out which can be the hardest variable of all to master.
So many people ask me, how I’ve done some of the things I’ve accomplished. Honestly, I have no idea. I work my butt off and let my passion speak for itself. You can’t learn passion, but you surely can express it. That’s my formula I suppose. Find your passion and let it be your primary guide. The how will connect the dots, but the dots are scattered from point a to point b by passion. It sounds crazy and similar to the trite advice to “follow your passion and the money will follow.” Yes, follow your passion. But passion does not equal financial success. There is a strong relationship between the two, but it’s simply that—a relationship. It’s a relationship that requires a lot of hard work and perseverance.
What I’ve learned through this project, this little paper dream, is that above all else keep your passion alive. When your passion begins to fade, you are steering in the wrong direction. Find a way to keep that passion sparked and you will find a way to make your dream a reality.
Next Steps
… I’m digging into Pink Elephant’s workbooks for creative entrepreneurs. I’m not an affiliate but a huge fan of these workbooks. They are helping me turn the words behind this project into a beautiful story.
… I’m going to create a mailing list for this little paper dream that lives separately from my other projects. I will share the list if you are interested in signing up when I’ve got that checked off my list. UPDATE 6.29: Sign up for the list here!
Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me. I can’t wait for Report No. 4 and to see what new surprises will pop up for me to discuss.
photo credit: kate spade via neo-traditionalist; text by carolyn for a beautiful ripple effect
