Doubt...

Do you let small comments shake your confidence?

I have to admit, sometimes, they do make me second-guess myself!

For example,

when we first opened the studio, it was intended to be just that...a working studio

It's in an industrial park, and not really suited to foot traffic or retail.

but it has a small, cute little front room that serves as an office/showroom.

We figured *maybe* we'd use it for retail by appointment only, but we just weren't sure.

Would we offer classes? Not sure.

Will you sell paint? Not sure. 

Asking for a critique is one thing...

receiving them, unsolicited, is another thing entirely...

A well meaning visitor to our Open House said we had no focus or direction,

that we didn't know what we wanted the studio to be...

and I thought, "oh no, I don't have a set plan!"

but then I realized, it's OK for things to evolve.

Of course, focus is great. 

A plan is great.

But so is flexibility and just waiting to see what will unfold...

I went from being proud of what we've accomplished 

to feeling doubt based on nothing more

than one person's opinion.

Turns out, what I thought I wanted wasn't really what I wanted at all...

and I'm glad I didn't have a strict plan to adhere to

I think we'd be very unhappy now if we did!

Or how about when you find a wonderful piece to paint, and even though fifty people say

"whatever you do, it will be gorgeous"

it's the one or two people , with their passive-aggressive

"I'm just sayin'" comments that stick with you

and turn that elation and creative energy

into that icky feeling of having to defend your choice to *GASP* paint it

(#2 annoying statement? "If I were you..."  

Clearly, you are NOT so why are we pretending you are?)

Or what about when you finally realize there is value in what you do,

you realize you do it very well

and you're ready to have your prices reflect that...

and one person, upon seeing a higher price tag, says

"You're selling that for WHAT?!"

and you think "oh, am I crazy to think I'm worth that?"

Then you see a knock-off, made in China piece of junk that retails for $3000

and you realize even your higher price probably isn't enough

Moral of the story?

Don't let those "innocent" comments drag you down

Focus on the great comments instead! 

I try to reflect on what is said...is there any truth in it?

No? Then shake it off and move on!

Appreciate the comments that truly come from a genuine place

and overlook the rest

Everyone won't love what we do, and that's OK

Everyone won't even like us, and that's OK, too...

if being authentic to yourself means you lose a few "friends" along the way, so be it

Truth be told, this was a little pep talk to myself

because I've allowed a few peeps to annoy the heck out of me lately

and that stops NOW :0) 

I hope you're able to relate~