What’s Up with Paint Chip

By PChip | Category: General Info |

Here’s some info about what’s happening in my little world:
After coming back from my holidays and the hiatus I took from my computer and never-ending phone calls, I sat to ponder the happenings of 2007 and the yearnings for 2008. I’m not one to keep new years resolutions so I’m not bothering to make any. However I do tend to keep goals in front of me and strive to meet them.

Not that I always achieve my goals, mind you. But I do use them as a road map and as incentives to help me keep on a somewhat straight path to my successes. Yes, this same path has had several stumbling blocks and what I think of as learning moments and opportunities for change and improvement.

Things Sometimes in My Way

One area that has been a continual challenge to me is my battle with chronic migraine disease and how I manage my time and energy daily. Anyone who deals with a chronic ailment can tell you how it can totally disrupt their life. Careers so often go by the wayside because of the many problems associated with such unfortunate things.

Through the years my doctors and I have tried many different things to help minimize the episodes and the constant pain. Last year we found a treatment that helped a lot. However, we knew this was possibly a temporary improvement. We knew that the noticeable improvements in my level of energy and the capabilities I can gained back could and most likely would eventually come to a screechy halt again at some point. This in spite of the many positive thoughts and strong mental attitude I generate towards improvement.

So It Shall Be

My migraines have begun to increase again both in frequency and intensity. Also - my last treatment was delayed and won’t be accomplished for another week or two, which always makes things even worse. After again looking internally for strength and understanding, I’ve finally accepted that my health will always hinder my ability to accomplish all that I want to do and that slowing down is the only way for me to keep my mind and spirit in balance.

What to Do – What to Do?

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to step back and take life easy for a spell and it surely won’t be the last. However, I really hate when it happens. But I’m a realist and accept this as part of the cards I was dealt to play with in this life. I’m again finding myself questioning what steps I can take and the things I can do to continue working and leading a productive life while dealing with this stupid, stupid disease and all the issues that come along with it.

I’m not ready to retire from my current job yet and when I do it is with intentions of working at my leisure when my body will allow and still be bringing in a steady income. The part of my portfolio that my online business fits into is what is helping me realize that goal.

Looking Inward and Forward

So I’m back at the drawing table again with pondering on my artful endeavors and where I can realistically take them in future years. Being flexible is the only way I’ve been able to get as far as I have in life and I sincerely hope that you are flexible with yourself and your business when there’s a need for change or improvement.

I read a book by Seth Godin recently titled, The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick). Well really I listened to the CD version of the book because that’s easier on me. In his book Seth talks about recognizing the tough times in any endeavor as either a “dip” to be conquered or a dead-end. I’ll explain more in a review of the book I’ll be sharing with you next week.

I got an email from a peer this last week telling me that he and his wife had closed up shop and are moving forward with other goals for their family this year. At first it saddened to read the email and learn that another digi-scrap professional was leaving the business. Then I thought of Seth’s words and it reminded me that this is evidently the right thing for this person to do and that I should be happy for them. So I am. I’m happy that they were able to review their situation and make the decisions necessary to move forward in their lives.

I’m not Quiting

Quiting really isn’t that difficult for me to accept if I feel it’s the best thing for me to do. I don’t fight for a thing for the sake of fighting or stagnate in a state of mind that says, “I must win.” Nor do I hate change or find it difficult to accept. Actually I’m quit the opposite.

Each time my disease goes buzirk on me I look closely at the option to quit. The answer this time is that while I may be struggling with pain management issues, I know that I’m not at a point in my disease where I need, nor want to say, “I quit.” However, I do realize that I’m once again at a point where I may need to be slowing down to a pace that is more appropriate to what my body will tolerate. Ugh! I hate when that happens. I dislike even admitting to it or saying it, much less actually doing it! But I must do what I must do in order to conquer my daily battles.

Time for Small Changes

So with all that whining, and blah, blah, blah explination out of the way, I want to share with you that I’m now shaking up and changing some of my DSD-Pro goals. Since I’m sort of the leader of the pack running this outfit, the place really has to run by my pace for a while more as we are still in the starting up phase. Eventually other strong personalities will emerge and help keep things going at a better pace. But for now – it’s going to remain somewhat slow and steady.

Until after my next treatment we can’t really estimate how my health will decline or improve as this year moves forward. So to be on the safe side, I’ve decided to stop taking on any new major joint venture projects. I currently have four I’m maintaining and I feel I can easily continue with them as I have other people assisting with those. I’ve bowed out of two others I had in the works. Bummer of a decision, but one that had to be made. Smaller non-energy-consuming JV’s I’ll still consider. So feel free to approach me with your ideas.

Delayed - Not Forgotten

The priority project for me right now is to get DSD-Pro stabilized and to the level I had hoped it would be last month. I’m behind by about 4 weeks and hoping to get caught up in January, although I may need February to get it all accomplished that I’m striving for. Several activities I’ve delegated to other team members. There are other things I am working to get them to a point where I can use my little bursts of energies more wisely.

You can read about how these changes may effect DSD-Pro’s specific products and services in our networking forum where I’ve spelled it out more thoroughly. If you follow our blog but don’t participate in the association, you’ll see only minimal changes. I hope you’ll enjoy the reviews and such we’ll be providing on the blog in the future. While I will continue to share helpful business tips here, most of our more in-depth articles will be moving over the the forums. Maybe it’s time you get involved!

Forward We Go…

While my workload priorities have changed slightly, my focus remains on assisting Digi-Scrap Professionals grow their businesses. Working with Greg, Nichole, and others joining our team - we will continue to provide advertising options, networking opportunities, training, and offer products and services for fellow entrepreneurs!

Slow and steady the train moves forward. Hope you’ll stay on for the ride!

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Karen (Karooch from Scraps of Mind) January 17th, 2008 3:29 am :
Oh Cindy I didn’t realise you were so ill. You obviously are not a whiner.
It’s good to hear that you are sensible enough to have your priorities in the right place. And to look after yourself as No1.
I how your treatment starts to stabilise you and that you are able to arrange your life so that it works well for you.
Take care.
Nichole January 25th, 2008 10:08 pm :
Sorry to hear that you’ve been under the weather with those darned headaches again.

Change can be good and I’m looking forward to seeing the new things at DSD-Pro!

Best wishes to you for continued good health.