Riding on Fumes

Let me start out by offering an explanation for not posting yesterday.  I escaped to cloud nine for a few hours after a really important shipment finally arrived.  Needless to say that I was preoccupied for most of the rest of the day.  And lets not forget about the big move which is going down tomorrow.  So I have been squeezing in some packing and trying to get my life in order.  As if things aren't already chaotic, I happen to be riding on fumes.  In retrospect I realize now that starting a meeting at 11:45 at night may not have been the wisest thing to do.  Although my meeting was absolutely productive all around, I am only now paying tremendously for it.  To be perfectly honest, it is taking the commitment of every fiber in my body to operate at full capacity in order to try and keep my eyes lids open.  And I don't know who taught me the neat little trick of alternating closing one eye at a time as a means to try to force myself to keep my eyes open and ultimately stay awake.......but I think its working. OUCH! My neck hurts! I could never have a career as a bobble head!  Goodnight I casn'ttssssssss evennnnnns staaa y  .......ummmmm.....huh?  WHAT!!  Oh... what was I saying?  Yeah, I can't keep my eyes open.  I will casht ujp with ua lat............tt.............eeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... aaaaaa a a a   a   a .... . . . . .  .   .  .     .  ..       .         .   NITE!

Sneak Peak!

Old Friends

It feels good to take a break and catch up with old friends and I had the chance to do that today.  There is something to be said of a friendship that seems to just pick right up where it left off, even if it was 17 years ago since the last time you've seen each other.  Until just now I hadn't realize how long it's been.  Weird, like no time had passed at all.  Back to the basics of plain old good conversation filled with laughter.  There is at least one good thing about getting older and that is reconnecting with old friends and seeing where life has taken them to.  Very interesting to see them grow, and then their families grow.  But what I find the most fascinating is what people now "do" in life.  Some people don't surprise you, but others  ---  WOW!  Some good and some bad.  But today.....all good.  I think somewhere way in the back of our minds if we stop and reflect on our childhood there is at least one person that you just knew was going to mature and do speacial things in their life.  The thing is you never know who that person is, and you never know if that person is you.  Sometimes it's just the little things that makes someone "do" speacial things in their lives and one of them is sincerely being a friend.  Thank you.

That's Crazy!

I forgot to mention on top of starting this business and all the fun exciting things I have been doing......I am also in the middle of a move.  When my family relocated to Atlanta the plan was to immediately get started with our business plans.  I transfered with my current job understanding that would allow for an easier transition to a new city.  It only made sense to move close to my job as I would be going there every single day,  well five days at least.  Unfortunately we had to sacrifice not being in an atmosphere where we knew we would be inspired, and instead, on the outside in the suberbs where there seemed to be nothing to do but eat out.  A year later and we were all too eager to get out of there.  Even if we had to make the commute daily it would totally be worth it.  The place that we are moving to is perfect.  Just the right amount of living space and a bonus separate building for my studio.  Wow!  I can't believe I have become a part of the club:  Those who find the "deal of the year."  We would not have even known to ask for anything better.  That's crazy!  So top of the week and I immediately started packing, excited to be on our way in just 4 days.  And then, while cleaning out the washing machine I noticed something at the bottom just sitting there.  If you look closely you can make out an image of a button.  Just a simple token of encouragement to remind me of the task at hand.  All I could do was smile.  Then I thought- "Now that's crazy!"

Next:  Meet with Photographer/Videographer re: Promo Video

Encouraged

Isn't it funny how things seem to work out right on time?  Although I have to admit the situation was not funny at all and never is.  I mean, it's like being the only one in the room with a straight face after the joke while everyone else is crying from laughter.  What am I talking about?  The hardship that comes when you decide to live out your dream.  Exactly the reason why most people never carry out their aspirations.  I heard someone say something to tune of, "In order to fulfill our destiny, we must sacrifice our comfort."  It was so inspiring.  I know for so long I have been deeply scared of not being "comfortable" in my lifestyle that I would not just take the first real step to start my own business and bring my own dreams to reality.  So when I say that it is funny how things work out right on time, I am thinking about exactly how the past week has been for me. When my spouse and I started this journey we knew it would be successful because we would be making a good quality product.  Giving back was just as important for us when we started to create the blueprint.  I wanted to immediately begin giving back by sharing my experiences as we go through this journey, along with my day, my feelings, how the business progresses and words of encouragement.  What I have come to notice is that in a twisted turn of fate, giving back really feels like everyone is giving to me.  I feel encouraged, inspired and renewed.  I hope by following and supporting us you can also have that same warmhearted feeling.  Please donate your buttons and join our effort.

Dont let them go to waste.

Next: Finish storyboard for promotional video.

I SEE!

I am seeing with much more clarity.  I even made the joke that I can literally see better.  I have been required to wear glasses for the past 10 years at least, and to be honest I am sick and tired of wearing them.  Looking back on all the times I wanted to wear glasses so badly as a child, how stupid must I feel now?  As I am sitting her reminiscing about how foolish I must have appeared, I can't help but to recall when I faked not being able to see, and the emotional roller coaster ride I must have taken my mom on when she was confronted with the "fact" that she had a child going blind.  After eye exams and a very sharp doctor, my mother soon figured out I was an impostor and no harm done, right?  I must admit it takes some longer than other to realize that there is no magic pill to reverse age, so now I have to pay more attention to my eyes .  Not just the health of my eyes but what they "see".  But this is great!  I get inspired by so many things I see.  Transforming the inspiration into creativity and then designs.  And my favorite, sitting and people watching.  Starbucks, Little 5 Points and such, I get inspired by how people express themselves through their appearances.  Yes Starbucks......I'm still working!  I'm doing my research - unfortunately with glasses on, but with clarity!

Next:  Storyboard for promotional video.

Chin Checked!

I didn't write yesterday and my apologies.  It was not that I was slacking on the plan.  I finished those business cards and have the designs to prove it!  Yesterday felt like the longest day and I was just exhausted.  A day of being out, researching and such.....I literally crashed when I got home.  Not to mention having to deal with everyday issues.  I pose a question:  What is the next step for you after someone lets you down?  Do you get mad? Sad? Are you capable of just shrugging it off?  Do you hold a grudge?  Having delt with these issues early in life with family and friends, I know I don't want to handle business in the same manner.  What I have grown to realize is that nothing positive ever came from holding a grudge.  Being certain that thruought this journey many people will let me down and convinced I will have my share of NO's before any YES's I have to say...... I'm ok with that.  I just YouTube'd chin exercises to toughen it up and get ahead of the game.  As long as I never forget what I'm working for, how can this not flourish?

Business Card ~ Front

Business Card ~ Back

Next:  Work on marketing.

Coming to Fruition

Today I learned a valuable lesson.  I can do exactly what I set out to do. You know a couple of days ago I had a conversation with my better half about setting goals.  We have always set goals for ourselves, family, and of course our career.  So we haven't been able to understand why we continue to fall just short of those goals.  I mean, I would consider myself a "thinker," and therefore constantly analyzing my day, week, and even year in hopes of  gaining insight as to why I end up feeling defeated and deprived of all that I strive to become. Well during our discussion, we both realized that although we have set targets, we have been setting them low and furthermore, applying mediocre effort.  In return we have only achieved a low level of our potential.  So once again I challenged myself.   To try something different by simply setting my expectations higher and just see what I could accomplish.  It is amazing how insight works!  I am getting things consistently done on a daily basis that just a month ago I felt I would never be able to accomplish.  For instance, yesterday my objective for today was to finish all the graphics so that I could finalize my order.  That means I will  have delivery of my prints for the first designs by the end of the week.  What did I learn?  By creating the blueprint on how to conquer the undertaking, I was able to execute a well thought out plan, and today I delivered!

Next:  Order business cards.

R&R

It feels really good to just rest, relax and recover from last week.  And I had just one of those days. Got caught up on a few shows that I have missed last week and spent some much needed time with my family.  But you know me, I couldn't just turn off my brain.  So of course I found myself planning my week.  The one thing I'm looking forward to the most is finalizing the graphics tomorrow so hopefully I could expect some sort of shipment this week.  I've already imagined how the first sale will be, taking the photo with our first customer, framing out our first dollar, and donating the first 10%  to charity.  I wonder how that will feel.  I only hope to find out soon because the suspense is killing me! There is one thing that I did take away from this weekend, and that is how I want to always remind myself of these restful moments that are needed for my brain, body, and family in order to be victorious at achieving my goals.

Next:  Get to work on those graphics!

Motivation

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
Harriet Tubman

If at first you don't succeed.....

So still riding the wave of confidence from yesterday, I set out today on the final (first) step of my journey  =====>   Business Paperwork. The final piece of the legal stuff done so  THE GREY BUTTON can officially rock and roll.  So exciting right?  Eventually yes, but not without scraping my knees in the process.  TGIF....oh don't you know! 

Let me walk you through my day..........

What a morning!  I misinterpreted the nurse today at the doctor's office when she said, "the doctor will be right with you," as a few minutes.  Apparently right really means 45 minutes to an hour.  I didn't know that......did you?  After leaving the appointment I simply dusted myself off and tried  to restart my day.  I have a goal in site, and I was not going to let this little incident ruin it.  So you can only imagine my frustration when I called the courthouse and was greeted by the monotone automated lady who proceeded to guide me through a thousand prompts as I  provided my name, address, ssn, mother's maiden name, dad's mother's birthday and a dna sample, and then 6 minutes later I was disconnected.  Four times in a row!  However, I am proud to say, I did not let that discourage me and, on the fifth call, I got through..... to a real person.   Mission accomplished.  In a nutshell, I like the new confident [and patient] me.  So I am making a promise to myself to live by the motto, "If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again".  I'm not a quitter so I may have to invest in a really good washing machine.  Can you dust off mud?

Next:  A day of rest.

Starbucks saved my life!

I woke up this morning with a different feeling.  Still fear but a flutter of excitement at the same time.  After a much needed talk with my sister last night and all the encouraging words, I am feeling the confidence grow.  I am not the first person travelling down the road called LIFE who is forced into making a huge, life changing decision.  Everyone who was ever successful at anything has faced it head on.  The dreaded fork in the road.  Which way do I go?  This could make or break me!  So I did what most of us do.  I called my mom........and oh how mothers know just what to say. I guess I wanted to hear that everything will be ok,  FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, and I believe in you.  And she said just that.   Armed with a new sense of pride I walked down to Starbucks on such a nice day today, ordered my grande extra-hot white mocha, and let my creative mind take over as I sketched.  Oh how Starbucks saved my life.............at least for the next three hours. 

Next:   Figure out how to get more buttons!

One Million Buttons

The Grey Button proposes a nationwide challenge:  To collect one million buttons.  Why you ask?  Well sometimes we cannot always give money or even our time.  One thing that everyone has to give are buttons.  Do you recall the last time you threw one away?  You probably don't but it is a fact that just about every single one of us, for example, has purchased a new garment that included that "extra button".  Most people forget to even take it off and it ends up getting lost in the washer or dryer.  Others take it off and set it on the dresser.  Eventually it falls on the floor, and next either swept or vacuumed and then discarded.  Or like my mother, you take it off and put it in a secure place along with the hundreds of others that are collecting dust, never to be used.  We have decided to revive those buttons and give them a more meaningful role.  Each button collected will be featured on each one of THE GREY BUTTON garments where it can be appreciated once more. We are committed to helping bring many different people together for a greater cause, which is why as a nation we encourage you to donate those disregarded buttons and we pledge as a company to designate 10% of anything sold to support charities helping communities. The next time you buy something new, please don't forget about the "extra button" and all the other buttons that have fallen off of your old clothes or purchased and never used, along with any others and donate them to THE GREY BUTTON. 

Follow us through this incredible journey.

Please contact nadia@thegreybutton.com for mailing address to donate your buttons.