Excuses, excuses. Aren’t they convenient? They seem to pop up just in time to save us—or harm us.
I find that I am making excuses. Becoming aware of them as barriers is quite interesting.
I want to open my Etsy shop. It’s been several weeks now, but I keep making excuses. These excuses grow exponentially. Here they are in the order of their eruption.
- I’m not ready. First, I need to make some more jewelry.
- Before I can set up shop, I need to photograph my designs.
- I need better photographs. I will wait for a good day with natural light .
- I’ll go buy a full spectrum light bulb.
- Now, I need to find my lamp.
- Ok, so maybe I could post the pictures I have. But, I need shipping supplies.
- I need cute shipping supplies, afterall—this is an Etsy shop.
- I need to order more supplies to have on hand to meet orders in time.
- I need to pay my bills before I order supplies.
- I need to sort through that pile of paper before I pay my bills.
- I need to catch up on my chores before this weekend. (Its our anniversary.)
- I don’t want to set up the shop before or during our anniversary weekend. We might go out of town.
- I need to wait until I order and receive my supplies, to make new designs and to take pictures, because I have worn all my “new” designs and they don’t look “fresh.”
- I should sort the feathers I have first, just to see what I have.
- I could write a blog about all the things that are keeping me from doing what’s good for me and my business.
- What if I mess this whole thing up?
Why is it we come up with excuses to keep us from doing the things we want? Do you find yourself doing the same thing? Doesn’t it just seem silly?
And then we remember “If it is worth doing at all, then it is worth doing wrong.” Then I panic, I don’t want to be a bad shopkeeper! I want to look like I know what I am doing!
Don’t we all…
Pages of Paradigm 
I say go for it. Take photos of what you have today. Write your descriptions and start your shop. Even if it is just 5 items. You will grow more and more confident as you go and as you sell. But you have to start somewhere. I remember the fear I had when I started my Etsy Shop. Yikes, that was so hard, but 1.5 years later and almost 300 sales I am so glad I did. Don’t tell anyone, but I still have fears and I still procrastinate. I still feel like I don’t know what I am doing. But I am having fun…most of the time. Good luck.
Karen
Thanks Karen! Its so funny how we find ways to sit in that fear rather than take a little step in the right direction. I’m sure I am going to have a lot of fun with this too!
Looking forward to seeing your shop. Yes, fear is such a strong emotion, it stops us for some many reasons. I continue to try to recognize what my fears are so that I can name it and then overcome it. Not always successful, but I keep trying.