It’s About to Get Real

This may be the scariest post I have ever written. (Whoa… slow down, drama girl, some of us are still waking up and haven’t had nearly enough coffee.)

Honestly, I have talked myself out of writing this post a number of times, but it is now time to face the music and do the work. (Ugh! Stupid personal growth…)

As I have mentioned before, this journey of building my brand as a lettering artist has stretched me in a number of ways.

Initially, just sharing my work via social media was a huge leap. Then came sharing my thoughts and feelings regarding the artwork I created.

At one point, the idea of showing my sketches or recording myself while drawing were crazy notions, but now I don’t even think twice about either of those things, and in fact, I actually enjoy them.

Those moments were really scary at the time. Of course, right now it almost seems silly that I was unsure about doing those things because, from this vantage point, I can see the benefit in taking the risk.

You see, taking a risk in areas when we feel scared can be a good thing. (SIDENOTE: This only applies to areas where the risk is perceived vs. actual danger. Don’t go Cliff-Face Camping or Running with the Bulls ’cause that’s just cray-cray)

So what is this monumental risk that I am going to take? I am going to share some of my specific goals.

Alright, I know that may not sound quite as impressively risky as Bull camping or Cliff-face running or whatever, but I promise this is a significant seismic shift for me.

There are parts of me that still think this is a horrible idea. For example:

“You might look stupid.”

“What if you don’t achieve a goal you share?”

“What if people judge you for having a certain goal?”

This internal monologue can go on and on, and while I know it all sounds like it’s trying to keep me safe, the reality is that it’s just fear.

A friend recently gave me artwork she created which said, “Don’t let fear be your decision maker.” (Thanks Robin!)

If I’m not going to let fear make the decisions and if this blog is suppose to document the journey, then it’s time to share some of the goals that I want to work toward. So, here we go…

In no particular order:

1. Be contracted to do artwork for a large corporation (ie. Target, Starbucks)
2. Create a children’s book
3. Speak at a creative or design conference
4. Establish consistent channels of passive income

Is the world still turning on it’s axis? Are frogs raining from the sky while cats and dog are living together?

Or is it possible that, like other scary things that I have faced, it will be OK and I may ultimately be glad that I took the risk?

I’ve recently been reading about the importance of articulating your goal(s). Rather than playing things so close to the vest, it can be good to say what you want, regardless of the outcome.

At another time I may go into more detail about these goals, as well as sharing what I’m doing to make those goals a reality. But for today the victory is putting them out there and sharing with you fine folks.

So how about you? How difficult is it for you to say what you want or share goals & dreams?