With every package I’ve sent out to a customer, I’ve always included a handwritten thank you note. Often, I try and touch on a topic we may have discussed throughout the transaction process to go that extra step in making it even more personal.

As I gear up to relaunch, I’m exploring packaging ideas and this got me thinking about this innocent little thank you note. I mean, if you’re processing a few orders per day, it’s totally feasible to take a few minutes to write out each note. But what if you’re processing 20+? 40+? Is it still totally feasible then?

To avoid burnt out again, I want to streamline my processes as much as possible. My first step was to outsource my printing. That’s production taken care of. Now I need to streamline the order fulfillment process. My mantra over here is – simplify, simplify, simplify!

So, my question to you is… how important do you think that personalized thank you note is? We don’t expect it from the big box stores when we order. I understand as “small scale” sellers customer service is imperative, but would you think any less of someone if they just included a business card with a simple hand-written thank you on it?

Photo Credit: hellojenuine

There are countless blog posts talking about the fine line of blogging when it comes to sharing personal matters on a blog that is also considered a communication outlet for your business. It’s a topic I mull over in my head often.

I’ve been pretty honest on my blog and if were to put it a sliding scale, I’d say some of it has slid towards the very personal level. I consider myself a pretty open person, though obviously I keep some cards hidden and wouldn’t consider myself an open book either here and in person. Yet as the “author” and “editor” of that book, the content is mine to write. Like any book, it evolves with each chapter and it’s characters.

Though for the most part my opinion on this is clear to me, like anyone, I sometimes sway and re-evaluate that opinion. But for now, here’s mine as it stands today.

Would I ever go on a public rant about a customer? No. A client? No. A copy cat? No. I’ve personally drawn that line for myself and my business. The saying “If you’ve got nothing good to say, don’t say it” comes to mind.

But am I afraid to share my ups and downs of starting a business? No. Do I wonder if sharing that I’m unmotivated, confused, going through self-doubt either personally or professionally will be read by potential or existing clients/customers and viewed negatively. Of course. Yet that’s the risk I’ve chosen to take for the sake of wanting to be true to myself and not being afraid to share that truth. It’s these truths that are the building blocks of both me and modernemotive.

Now some might argue that the saying “If you’ve got nothing good to say, don’t say it” comes into play again here. Yet based on the feedback I’ve received via comments/emails, the sharing of my up and downs has resonated with others. It’s given them hope. Made them feel less lonely in navigating their road to self-employment and business ownership. This “connection” in return empowers me and is one of the reasons why I chose NOT to close myself up and put a smiley face on everything.

With each experience I go though I always try and look for the positive spin or lesson. I view them as way to learn more about myself. With this I garner the confidence to keep pursuing my dreams, make better decisions and build some cushioning into any falls that I will inevitably make. Why would I hide that if it can help someone else?

Where’s your fine line?

Photo Credit: Yukon White Light

Operation Shop Relaunch is in full effect over here. I’m so freaking excited. I’m going to be really mean and keep everything under lock and key for now but I’ll offer up some sneak peeks soon. Here are some the responses I’ve gotten from friends I’ve shared them with:

“LOVE, WANT, please make, I will pre-order. Love.”

“LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT”

“OH my god, seriously Adele! Those are awesome!! Woweeeee! Look out, these are going to be amazing. I can see them now in stores. Love love love. Well done!“

The only clue I’ll give you is they are functional, will keep you organized and make your desk pretty. I’m meeting with a printer next week to go over options/specs and I’m hoping we’ll be in production within 2 weeks. No definite date on the relaunch but soon friends, soon! If you want to be one the first to see what I have up my sleeve, make sure you sign up for my newsletter.

Now, while I have you here I have a question. What products would you like to see? I’m going to be slightly redirecting my product line (I’ll write up another post about this soon) so welcome any wants/desires you have. I’m open to anything.

As for the sneak peek comments, I can’t tell you enough how grateful I’ve become to the amazing friends I’ve made online. I’ve made it no secret that I often feel quite lonely working at home, but by reaching out to others I’ve made myself an amazing group of “co-workers”, albeit virtual ones. Thank you ladies. You know who you are! This gratitude also extends to those that read this blog, chat with me on Twitter and send me the most amazing emails. You all rock!

Photo Credit: Matthieu A.

Even with the best intentions, to-do lists haven’t been cutting it for me lately. The main reason is because, well, I haven’t been making them. Yah, I know, putting pen to paper is super super hard Adele. What can I say, I can be my own worst enemy at times.

Rather than succumb to my procrastinating ways, I enlisted help. A project manager if you will. And that PM my friends is my oven timer. Yup, you heard correctly, I’m managing my time via my oven. Have your giggle for a second and then keep reading.

I’m sure I’m not the only one that lets life and household chores slip to the wayside. Well, now my oven is reminding me to just get them done rather than scramble at the end of the day. I’ve said before that a messy/disorganized environment crosses over into my thinking, yet quite often, I still surround myself in the messiness and disorganization. See, told you I could be my own worst enemy. Anyway, let me tell you – this method works!

Sure, I’ve only been doing it for the morning, but in 4 short hours my increase in productivity and focus is very noticeable*. Knowing that I have 15-60 minutes (this is the min/max minutes I have for each block of time), my focus is more driven and distractions are less attractive. Oh, and trust me, when the beep goes off, you know. Oh yes… you know. You can’t just close your notebook on your to-do list or exit a computer reminder. You’re getting up to turn that damp beeper off!

And if you think you’ll walk away and sit right back down to work – you won’t – because a little tingle of guilt will eat at you and before you know it, that small task is done. Let the pats on the back commence.

Now please excuse me, I have 15 more minutes before Sergeant Oven reminds me to make the bed.

What about you? Have you enlisted any creative methods to manage your time/procrastination?

*A prime example is this blog post. I can sometimes spend far too long putting together a post and then even more time searching for the right photograph. However, knowing I was on a time constraint (I work best under pressure) I whipped out this post in under 20 minutes.

Photo Credit: csiknor

I’ve been reading a lot lately (okay, actually scanning, I have terrible A.D.D. when it comes to reading online) about breaking through slumps/creative blocks and one tip that consistently comes up is to “walk away and do something entirely different”. While that may seem obvious and relatively easy to do, I often find myself sat at the computer hours later no further along emotionally or in terms of progress. Oh, it’s a seedy web I can weave over here folks.

Yesterday, I broke that pattern. The sun was shining, James had the day off work and I just wanted to get out. So, when he suggested we head down to The Beach, rather than offer my usual “No, I have stuff to do”, I said “Screw it, let’s go”. And off we went.

It was gorgeous down there. I typically head down there over the weekend when it’s full of hustle and bustle, but the quietness and solitude yesterday offered was just what I needed. James and I walked along the beach, talked about random things and just reveled in the moment. I put a ban on talking about work, money, things of any responsibility and we just lost ourselves in the view and quietness. It was bliss.

Though this shot was taken yesterday on beautifully sunny day, when I played around with it in Photoshop, I loved the result. I think it reflects my thoughts yesterday perfectly. There’s a sense of calm and peace I wish I could bottle up and drink as needed.

Forgive the silence over here as of late. Truth be told, I’ve got nothing to say. Nothing much has been going on in terms of moving my business forward and I’m somewhat at a standstill. I keep hitting these walls which I’m going to guess are built from fear, procrastination and other emotions. Damn am I having a hard time knocking them down.

I can’t help be wonder if closing up my shop temporarily was a mistake. I almost feel as my sense of direction and purpose closed with it too. I keep writing these posts sharing what I’m doing and where I’m going, yet somewhere along the way, I fall off the ride and I feel as though I’m left standing in the dust.

If I look back on my life, I have a habit of doing this and perhaps it not the best route to take. I can count many times when I’ve believed that “starting over” would result in a “better way” yet when I think about it, all it seems to do as make the path I’m on feel even longer and all the more tiring.

Why do you keep repeating the same mistakes over and over when we know ourselves well enough to realize they’ll never reap the benefits we hope for?

Photo Credit: RaRa photo

If you’ve been feeling passionless or confused about your business/art/craft as of late, I really recommend you watch this video with Sharon Montrose of Sharon Montrose Photographs.

I can really identify with how Sharon felt when she was no longer digging her career. I’ve been there. For those that don’t know, I used to be an Art Director in the agency world. After 10 years, I was completely burnt out and the last thing I wanted to do everyday was design. The resentment/bitterness that had built up was too strong to ignore, yet I felt completely lost as it was the only sellable skill I had.

It wasn’t until I started designing for myself again that I began to feel I had a place in design once more. I wasn’t sure if people would respond to it, but I had to try and I’m thankful that they did. I’m still not entirely sure where I’ll go with this and hey, one day I may wake up and realize I want to do something else, but I do know that I’m in a place right now where everyday is driven by a passion you’ll only ever feel if you’re doing what you truly love.

I hope that you’re able to do what you love too. Are you?

As of late, I’ve really been gravitating towards a more hand-drawn look when it comes to design and this wedding poster is spot on. Designed by Melanie Linder of Spread the Love. Rest assured, this isn’t the only gem in her Etsy shop, so go and check her out.

As much as I love clean lines, it’s definitely a style I would like to incorporate into my own work one day. For some reason, it just seems more personal as you can imagine each pen or pencil stroke (whether traditionally or digitally) it took to bring it all together.

Artwork copyright: Melanie Linder
Found via: Mint

So I was going to write a post about how little I did in March and how I’m no closer to opening up my shop again… but screw that, why let self-induced negativity into my life? We’re riding the positivity train over here people so let’s look at what I did do this month instead:

1. Secured two new clients – one for a whole rebrand of their corporate identity and the other an interactive project (both should lead to more work)
2. Created the modernemotive icon.
3. Started the groundwork for the new direction of modernemotive and began the process of rethinking my tagline (thanks for all your input everyone!) to reflect it.
4. Began designing my business collateral.
5. Shared my first free downloadable PDF. Did you get yours?
6. Updated my blog header (will redo it again once I finalize the tagline).
7. Made a pact to get myself healthy again.
8. Started the designs for some new products (have 3 on the go).
9. Got the ball rolling on a potential new blog series I’ll be co-hosting with a great online friend.
10. Finally pushed my procrastination aside and replaced my lost iPhone. I’m on my third. Please don’t ask about the other two. I’m mobile again and that’s all that matters.

Sure there’s a lot more I could of done and possibly stuff I’ve overlooked on my list, but I was working on something way more important, myself. Without that, the rest means nothing.

How was March for you?

Photo Credit: chara*coco*