Listening to myself.

When I had the shop - it was a paper craft shop called Stamping Ground (so there's a vague reason for the blog name..) - I was able to develop a sixth sense for browsers who would become customers and browsers who wouldn't. There would be enthusiasm and wonder and further interest and conversation.

Or there would be polite interest and the standard 'get-out-of-the-shop-without-buying-anything-phrase'. And that phrase is and was "I don't have time to do this sort of thing". And it used to really annoy me. Because it invalidated my passion, my business and my service to others in my  opinion. I developed as polite a response as I could. I would instantly look them in the eye and say with a smile: 

        "I think if you want to do something badly enough, you MAKE time to do it".
And then quite often, bid them a good day as I closed the door behind them! In the madness of my current life and commitments, I have really wondered if I would ever get back to my hobby. And then I recalled my big mouth telling other people to make time. So I have. 

At the beginning of each week, Mr Dunnit and I have a Production Meeting. He tells me what we're going to achieve and I tell him the commitments that we have; as a couple, a business and individually. We work around them. It may mean some longer days or early starts or other juggling, but it works out in the end.

Looks really arty and clever as a close up angle, Huh!

In the last month, I've had two full days of Cropping in others company, which is marvellous. I've had a couple afternoons in the garden which were very necessary and even managed coffee and shopping with LLJ. I'm no busier than other women the world over, for sure. But I'm better off for having heard myself. I'm not offering it as advice. I'm erm, strongly recommending you try it. Go on, make that time!