In my real job, I have been working on a project to quickly develop a training program for our managers who will be acting as workplace coaches.  I’ve written plenty of training in the past and know what I am doing, but this one is hard to finalize.

And here is why:  When you start giving information to people to help improve other people, there has to be at least a kernel of fear.  If the coaching is done badly, someone’s life is affected negatively.  The training must be understandable, able to be used, and on-target. 

Today’s dithering takes me back to the first time I set a stone.  We were poor and the cost of the stone along with little bit of silver I used was a big bite out of the family budget.  I fussed at it for days before I finally gathered up the courage to solder the bezel and then fussed some more before I touched the piece with the bezel roller.  Maybe not perfect, but not bad.

Over the years, we develop more confidence and work more intuitively but I still have that little moment when I slow it down and concentrate.  Perfection may not be attainable every time, but need to make the effort to give our very best at that moment.

Peace,

Mary

On Sunday a dear friend joined me and we set up a table of my jewelry at a small craft fair in a small town during its Christmas celebration.  Snow was falling and, since there was no wind, it settled on the trees making this pretty little town even more idyllic.  Santa riding on the local fire truck bringing up the end of the parade made up of 15 people and a dog couldn’t have been more perfect.

Did I say the show was small?  It was slow enough that I was able to make earrings to match a necklace someone bought for her mother and to adjust two bracelets to perfectly fit two little girls. They both like pink, according to their aunts.

My sales during the day were almost enough to pay for the gas to get there and I was a bit dejected.  But, right before we started packing up, people came back to talk.  They had seen me making alterations and special orders.

After a few minutes of chatting with each customer and talking them about what their plans were for the holidays, what they liked, and showing them how I create my jewelry, I had three special orders for some fairly expensive pieces.  And, in a note of irony, one of the orders was from a distributor of manufactured jewelry!

Overall, it was a magic day spent with a special friend in which I was reminded to enjoy the moment and really listen to my customers.  Thank you, Small Town, for slowing me down just enough.

Peace

Mary

Let's start off stating that I am a bit (!) of a hermit - happiest in my sweats surrounded by my animal buddies either at my work table immersed in stones and metals or outside poking through the fields.  Although my day job involves tons of human interaction, I perfectly capable of happily going for days without talking to another human being.  Honest.

Holidays, combined with the families and friends in my life,  will not let me get away with that sort of behavior for long. This might be a good thing.  

When headed to a "command performance" gathering I can guarantee that anyone in earshot will hear far too much whining and grousing from me.  But afterwards, I always come away thinking that attending was the right thing to do.  I spent time with people I value and who value me. 

The next time you receive a "command performance" invitation, go with the realization that you were invited because the people who invited you wanted to spend their equally-precious time with YOU.    Your invitation is an honor.  You are valued.

So, I will change out of the sweats and run a comb through my hair and then go spend my precious time with my precious friends and family.  I hope you will, too.

Peace

Mary