4 Adjustable Tips To Get There in a Time Crunch

Making this outline, I really have to be including my descriptive experience at the present. This intro is an explanation of a goal I would love to do (adjustably) in getting there in a time crunch.

As you might not know, I announced in my store a little while ago that my shop opening is on mid-August. Sadly, it is not happening. Time and unforeseen circumstances took play in this shop opening. Until now I couldn't make the deadline in making all of the products I want to sell for this summer opening in mid-August.

Not even kidding you. I am not even half-way of making all I planned. So, I will gradually let you know in the next weeks when my shop drop is live again. I hope you are going to follow me still on this journey and be rest assured when you are watching my process. I appreciate you so much!

For those of you that seek handmade craft, journaling, handmade, pre-made stationery this is I would say as close to a handmade mini shop of majority of my products you could get. That is what my shop is all about. I have pre-made for those stationery supplies that I don't have the tools or machines to make. May I remind you if I have listed more than one items that are equally the same in appearance that I literally hand-painted without the help of an automated machine or tools. I assure you I loved every process I did to all of these. I give it my whole attention to detail, my heart and time. So, it might be a little similar to the photo but not too obvious as it is not as unlikely different. Just a handmade item that is unique in its way.

Everything takes time in making these stationery, art and paper goods. And a good transparency I would hope will make your mind at ease when you get your HAPPY MAIL. I appreciate you once again for sticking with me.

Now on the article.

As I was making this outline for the article, I suddenly have a thought. And it is like an on the fence reaction. I said to myself, "Would I be accountable for making this?? I do not even make my deadline and if I would write this article kind of sucks."

But sure, the relentless in me say, " I wish too that I will make it to my deadline." But my message shifted when I thought of what if this is a message of motivation for me to continue. After all, this is an experience that I truly believe is happening. Why not try to share if someone needs this too especially in setting up their shop drop.

My intention to this article is to just pat a shoulder for some who are like me to not feel discouraged. But take this opportunity to revive skills whether managing the backend of your store or some mindset suggestion even I need to consider repetitively when in a time crunch like this now and fortunately too, in the future.

Rethink the Space You're Working With

I begin to think that I would never keep up as of the situation I am in now is so tiring to even comprehend. To be honest my room is somewhat messy again. I am aiming to clear it out let's first discuss physical and digital clutter. Although the latter is one kind of getting to move on from keeping physical clutter itself minimally.

When I was asserting to put these thoughts together, I realize I might have experience this last time I needed an upkeep from this form of struggle especially during another intense cramming of making the products to finish in time to go live on my shop.

One thing I take mental notes is knowing how to tackle one's mess when making it one step at a time while and after production. This is part of the work that is the least interesting is cleaning up. Even before I start making plans for the shop drop date.

One of the things I forgot to do is set up zones to organize and contain materials for production. No, you don't have to go fancy and all out and have to have all containers at hand. I do this by purchasing what I need. And do this as I go.

Importantly, delegate an easy system to store easy reach items that are used often. For example, storage for papers, a space for cutters, for printing, different types of glue, brushes, bone folders, sponges, paper press, inks, pens, scratch papers (you would think you only use on solving a math problem from school-but no). Sometimes since my cluttered desk when making products are hiding things I might need and avoiding the need to look for it infinitely, I list where I could put it temporarily. Or sometimes the productivity of the moment might get me an idea on how to work efficiently, I list that too. So scratch papers are a must. Or remembering cut measurements is hard especially if I have two or more products on hand in the making.

On top of that while designing the print elements that goes on the products itself (illustrations, and decors to be printed in color) and if I need a matching background and color theme on my palette it is easy to forget the hex code on each color to get the exact color again.

While making my space match my energy when all these things are happening it is easy to get lost when I am not as much organized and have a system.

So, make these things a practice and adjust as you go when you need to.

Manage Time with Forgiveness and Focus

I have help with this digitally with online assistance for scheduling when I try to break down weeks into themes or daily goals. This is especially helpful and more so if you run content with the work process. Can you really see why I am stuck for now?? Haha! You know it. As because you can see I am not uploading and making content as much as I could want to.

Sometimes, I overwork/booked my schedule most of the time of the tasks in making products that takes approximately 10 minutes or more to make per item. It is good to limit your focus to two priorities a day.

Allow buffer time between tasks to avoid overwhelm. From experience, I never would have known I would endorse this on how important it is to keep things going the next day.

Just as like my grandmother who is an elementary school teacher said that rest when your brain gets overwhelmed. Take a break by napping or take a snack of fruit or nuts and drink water. You are good after that. It always seems to work for me most of the time. Sometimes even if I have to study for a Periodical Exam, not test-EXAM (there's a difference), I panic and then grandma would remind me with this suggestion and the next day, I am able to breeze through the review with my mom. Before I am equipped to go to school on the beginning of the school week.

To this I still apply this suggestion.

Other times if I force it, I will be overworked and there's no getting over the after-effects of WFH backlog tasks because my body is just done. And for me the downfall is I will not stop until I do not realize I haven't slept for the night. And the next day I will crash.

So, where would that lead us, right? Start back to regain energy and it is going to take awhile until you feel to go at it again. Hopefully not repeat the same mistake. I learned recognizing when to stop is beneficial.

Start Lists Even If They're Messy

The scratch paper we discussed, is good for also drafting quick to-dos without worrying about order. I know I have clipped paper chips from remnants of my album making and about to be thrown away. I saved them for this purpose.

You could also use sticky notes, voice memos, or a white board. Or if you don't have any of this improvise by masked taping it to the wall in front of you. You can see why it is also good to do that. It is in plain sight.

I know for me I also keep one visible "non-negotiables" list in a notebook. Like a messy commonplace book. I even decorated a vintage book once for this purpose. I have to look for it as of this writing remembering that I should add that thought in this list.

Keep the Heart in What You're Creating

I just want to emphasize let your products reflect your love for crafts and its meaning reflect in the whys you start this small business mini shop in the first place.

Think of your future customers who need what you offer. This is good in thinking about future products to make and what are bestsellers that need a revamp. In this handmade business, you are going to make more into making products that heal pain points on stationery needs and uses in everyday crafting and aesthetics. Know what is good right?

And one more thing, ground yourself with encouraging affirmations as you go.

You have come this far to retract. You are better than that. 😎 COOL!

What I learned too while I was thinking about these thoughts is what I can do better when that thought hits it is always going to start from me. A good reliable mindset to be strong and reinforce your plus business strategy in focusing to get through this back track, back logs, and stunt. Do not let your sprout to be outshined by doubts and recover fast think of the many more ways you can succeed and achieve when you strive to focus on your goal for another season's shop opening.

I am rooting for all of us who are in this business. I know it is such a good way to connect a community of crafters and handmade shops that what we go through is never an alone task.

If you are here for the first time reading my blog articles welcome. May you have the time to read this and take away an encouragement from a handmade stationery mini shop small business owner. I know this might not be a lot of thought about hands on proper business guide. I would like to share my struggles in what seemed like endless battles of a WFH stationer.

I know one thing for sure I will keep trying to work, learn, and fix. Find solutions and practice to what works as until it becomes second nature in the many more next times around.