Recently I read an Etsy Quit Your Day Job article about a woman who decided not to return to her costuming job after maternity leave, first working as a child care provider and eventually finding herself on Etsy where a sewing hobby turned into a successful creative business. One sentence stood out to me: “On the job, she honed her sewing skills and knowledge of fashion history.”

It does take determination, deliberation, guts, motivation, whatever you want to call it, to create a successful business. But what we talk less about is that it takes knowledge and expertise, and to a greater depth than I think most people realize.

The clearest example is in fiction writing. A fiction writer needs to not only be good with words, have a large vocabulary, etc., but also needs to be at least conversant in whatever subject, place, or time period they write about. At the very least they should read up on Wikipedia about horses, at most they have done enough research to write a thesis on peasant life in medieval England. The finished work is an intersection of knowledge, where parts combine to create a greater whole.

Another example was in a film I watched about smart business practices. In trying to design a new medical bandage, a team was assembled with various backgrounds – not just the doctors who needed the new bandage, not just the industry leaders whose businesses created similar bandages, but also the less-obvious choices such as a makeup artist who was experimenting with new forms of applying latex to create face prosthetics. The completely different background but same kind of goal gave a completely fresh perspective to the product idea and led to some interesting possibilities.

That’s where we polyentrepreneurs are ahead of the pack. By refusing to settle down to any one industry, medium, hobby, or interest, we have the potential to combine knowledge and expertise across disciplines to produce products no one else could dream of.

I have different moods on different days/hours and usually need music to match. Here are the top three artists/YouTube channels I usually cycle through.

Lindsey Stirling: Perfect for when lyrics would be distracting (though a few of her videos do have lyrics), Lindsey’s violin playing and interesting combinations of styles of music are a great, upbeat, creative-encouraging background music. The only drawback is that I frequently find myself pausing my work to watch her beautiful music videos. Check out Elements or Roundtable Rival. Lindsey herself is a great example of a woman determined to create her own career with the diverse talents and interests she has.

Postmodern Jukebox: I can’t get enough of the new twists on and old-fashioned remakes of current, popular songs, “Royals” and “Burn” being two particular favorites. Many of the songs are upbeat but they also have slower ones for a more contemplative mood.

Mika: This man is just so delightfully strange. Another case where I have trouble not watching the music videos; Blame it on the Girls is perhaps my favorite overall song and Underwater is a good, lower-mood choice.

Silence: Sometimes there’s really nothing better than quiet.

What do you like to listen to while you work?

I’m sure it’s happened to everyone: you sit down at the computer, full of determination to finish a specific project but wanting to check on Facebook first. Two hours later you’re still on the internet and have lost the will to do much of anything.

This happens to me every day, sometimes multiple times. It turns out that for me the computer is not only a time-waster (in addition to being an excellent tool, of course) but is also a “downer,” something that can suck away my willpower within minutes and ensure that I get nothing done for hours or even days at a time.

The problem is that I also need my computer – about 90% of my homework and business work require it, and most of what doesn’t I’ll spend in front of the screen anyway (watching Netflix while making jewelry, for example). Your percentage may not be as high as mine, but I’m sure you face the same dilemma: how do we take advantage of the wonderful tool technology can be without allowing hours and days to be sucked away unproductively?

• Open a work program/site first, saving your Facebook and Pinterest and what have you for after you’ve gotten in a good hour or so of work (you’ll be much more likely to return to work!)
• If you don’t need it, turn the internet off.
• Have a clear to-do list of simple but important tasks and keep after yourself to keep crossing things off (I love using HabitRPG )
• Get up every hour or so to stretch
• Play music that inspires (but doesn’t distract)

How do you keep yourself on task when the computer beckons?

Walking on the beach is always the best use of my time. Now if only there was a beach nearby…

Polyentrepreneurs don’t just have full plates; they have plates piled high enough that others around them shake their heads while giving an appreciative (or disappointed) “daaaaaaaaaaaang.” And while we wouldn’t have it any other way – most of us can only be productive if we’re working on five projects at once – it can be a bit of a struggle to keep up with everything.

One of the best tools I have to keep the plate from spilling all over the floor is a simple question: “Is this the best use of my time?”

I try to ask myself this throughout my day.

“Is scrolling through Facebook again the best use of my time?”

“Is flipping through the newspaper trying to interest myself in articles I didn’t read the first time the best use of my time?”

“Is continuing to practice this song that is frustrating me the best use of my time?”

Note that this question doesn’t just apply to obvious time-wasters; it also applies to work being done in the wrong order or with the wrong mood. Also, realize that “best use of my time” doesn’t always have to mean “work;” when you’re frustrated by a project or at the end of a long day sometimes watching TV or playing computer games really is the best thing for you to do.

For the next couple of days, try asking yourself “is this the best use of my time?” as frequently as you remember to. Write the question on a note near your computer, put it on your to-do list, even set alarms on your phone to remind yourself. If the answer is “yes,” then good job! If the answer is “no,” take immediate steps to turn the answer into a yes – switch projects, close the internet window, or go take a walk.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

See the full list of needs here.

This is my first week back at university after a long and sometimes busy but sometimes incredibly laid-back summer. I made so many plans for business things to do in the summer, but most of them never happened (though, to be fair, a huge rush order did happen so it’s not all a wash). The week before going back to school I started panicking about how I was going to have time for everything – how could I possibly keep the business running while also participating fully in my time-intensive major? – but now that school has actually arrived I’ve just been strongly reminded of how much I thrive with challenges.

Challenges to time.

Many was the summer day where I spent the entire day in front of the computer while my boyfriend was at work. I was ostensibly working too, but on most days I saw a little bit more of Facebook, Cracked, and computer games than I did of my Etsy shop, blog, or bracelet supplies. I would even wander mindlessly from website to website looking for something interesting rather than get to work. But now that I’m in class several hours a day and need at least 2-3 more hours a day for practice and homework, it’s like the whole vast internet has nothing to interest me. With a full plate and to-do list, I kick into high gear. There’s not a moment to waste. And when I go to bed, instead of being disgruntled about how little I got done and waking up already stressed and depressed, I go to bed satisfied and wake up fired up for a new, packed day.

Don’t be afraid of a busy schedule. As long as you’re dealing with your days head-on rather than hiding in overwhelmed shame, it’s likely you will not only get through it but become excited about all that you’re getting done.

Challenges to talents.

I really struggled in my choir class last year. One of the reasons for this was because I was among the more advanced singers. I just wasn’t being challenged. This not only made me a little annoyed with my fellow singers but also made had me dreading the next several semesters – with nothing to reach for, no growth, I wasn’t invigorated and therefore choir became a chore I had to get through to get a degree. However, this year I’ve been accepted into the university’s top choir. So far we’ve only had one rehearsal, and an unusual one at that (it was actually the callback) but I have already shed my frustration and anger in joy at how much more alive I feel in this class. Standing in the room as we all sang together nearly brought tears to my eyes, and I have difficult pieces, multiple concerts, and – so exciting! – a trip to Spain to look forward to.

Don’t let yourself plateau; it’ll breed frustration and unhappiness that will seep into other areas of your life. Find ways to challenge yourself, to learn and to grow; keep yourself on your toes and you’ll find yourself looking forward to your days.

Challenges to self.

I have a tendency to be dependent. Part of this is because I’ve had to be; I’ve been working through some mental issues over the past couple of years that have required the help of a very patient boyfriend, some wonderful understanding friends, and on two occasions professional help. But yesterday, as I prepared for the choir callbacks, I was alone – my boyfriend graduated last year so wasn’t on campus, I haven’t yet made friends in my major, and my sister doesn’t have a phone right now – and began to panic. Normally when I have a panic attack I run to my boyfriend, and while he does a wonderful job of helping me get through them I always go through a small pity-party as the attack winds down because, yet again, I’ve had to get help from someone else instead of being strong on my own. But as I pulled out my phone to text him, the thought occurred to me – this has happened before. I know what to do. So instead of texting I put on a guided breathing app, and ten minutes later I was fine. The realization that I had taken care of myself was nearly overwhelming (in a good way) and I spent the rest of the day with a boost in confidence and the knowledge that I really am a strong, independent woman.

Getting help from others is great and at times even necessary, but don’t let it cripple you. You can only blossom if you’re the one driving this thing. Make your own decisions, trust your own intuition, and realize just how amazing you are.

1. Eat right. When you go grocery shopping, pick up your favorite fruits and vegetables – stick to ones in season and/or on sale to save money (frozen fruit also works well if you’re a smoothie person). Spend half an hour cutting them up when you get home, and you’ll have healthy snacks and sides for the whole week! When I’m at my best I’m eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables by lunch, and my body can feel the difference.

2. Drink lots of water. One of the reasons I hate running errands is because I inevitably get dehydrated, which means I get tired, cranky, and don’t want to do anything for the rest of the day! Try to keep a water bottle with you at all times, or at least a full cup next to you if you work at a desk.

3. Take time to exercise. I personally love going to the gym, but not everyone has the time or money – or the inclination. There are lots of ways you can exercise more quickly and cheaply, such as taking walks or doing exercises in your room before bed. I also try to get up every hour or two to do some yoga for a few minutes, which helps me stay focused and alert throughout the day.

4. Get as much sleep as you can. Hopefully you’re getting at least 7.5-8 hours a night; much less than that will start to take a serious toll on you. It can be hard to combat the idea that you need those extra hours, but a you with less sleep is a you with less energy, less focus, and less capacity to work to your full potential. Also, paying attention to the three points above (diet, hydration, and exercise) will help make what sleep you do get more restful.

5. Set aside one day a week, or at the very least half a day, where you do no work. Use this day to catch up on sleep you lost and exercise you missed, cut up your fruits and veggies, engage in a hobby, and whatever else that will have you sleeping well that night and waking up refreshed the next morning.

6. Take care of problems as soon as they arise. This one I know from experience; one particularly bracelet-filled summer I began noticing pain in my wrists which eventually spread down my arms and even affected my right elbow. By the time my wholesale orders were completed things were bad enough to require steroid pills and a six-week break from work, though luckily I escaped surgery or permanent damage. I now do wrist stretches regularly, take breaks, have wrist rests for my computer, and ice my wrists as needed to keep carpel tunnel at bay.

Take care of your body no matter how busy you are. If you don’t take care if it, it won’t take care of you.

See the full list of needs here.

This point, in addition to being its own topic, is also a companion to the diverse opinions post. While I firmly believe in the good of getting other voices and opinions and advice in your head, they can never drown out your own voice.

Every business is different, and a polyentrepreneur’s even more so. No matter how good others are at giving advice, no matter where they are in life, you have the final say in your own businesses – and that’s how it should be. This isn’t your boyfriend’s t-shirt company, your voice coach’s career, or you sister’s dance studio; it’s yours and yours alone. You need to learn to trust your gut – and to know when it’s your gut talking (not your fear).

Do your research.

I mentioned this in the last post too – it’s that important. No matter how good your gut is, if you don’t have all the facts you’re pretty unlikely to make the best decision! Making sure you do research can also prevent you from jumping into something you’re not ready for, or even just confirm your own suspicions/let you know you’re on the right track. Research can also make you aware of other ideas you might not have had before. So track down the facts!

Listen to yourself.

This applies to everything from making day-to-day decisions to deciding what passions you really want to pursue in life. To make the best decisions, I usually first do my research, then take some personal time – meditating, writing lists of pros and cons, talking to my sister or boyfriend; just feeling out the decision in front of me in my mind. Within a few hours I usually have an answer that I come to so organically that I can’t remember a time when I didn’t think it was the right decision – and when using this process I have never regretted my decision!

This point also applies to little thoughts that come into your head at times that you might be inclined to dismiss – thoughts like “I should start a blog” or “I should go back to school” or “I should audition for something.” You may want to brush them off because you don’t want to change, or think you have enough on your plate already, or think that you being able to achieve something is out of your reach, but DON’T. I nearly let fear and complacency convince me to merely finish an English degree I no longer cared about rather than go for the vocal performance degree I always wanted but assumed I wasn’t good enough for – and now, with one year of vocal performance down and three to go, I can’t believe I nearly didn’t follow my dream.

Try things out.

You can never be sure what the results of your actions will be, but instead of letting that uncertainty paralyze you, try things out! Throw yourself into a new project, a new class, a club, or a training series and give it the best you’ve got. Even if you don’t get the result you’re hoping for, if you really apply yourself you’ll almost certainly at least learn something. For example, it was a kind of out-there and eventually a failure of a product that led me to create my popular thin bracelet sets.The bottom line is that your business needs you in order to thrive, and you need to be confident in yourself in order to thrive. Only you can make the best decisions for yourself and your business.

One of the big signs of a polyentrepreneur is the desire to turn every skill and hobby into something that earns money. This is usually due to an entrepreneurial streak a mile wide, but for those of us who have grown up poor (or have expensive hobbies) there are also financial motivations. And those financial motivations can lead to lots and lots of guilt.

Case in point: I recently opened a package of macro lens add-ons I’d had for months and took them outside to try out on the rose bushes. It quickly became habit to go out every day to check for new buds, new shapes, and try out new angles and new magnifications. I enjoyed myself immensely for a few days… and then the guilt started to creep in. “These photos are nice and all, but even if you do start a photography business no one’s going to buy them. So what’s the point?”

In other words, how could I possibly allow myself to indulge in something that doesn’t earn me money?

This way of thinking can be deadly. I was trying to stop myself from doing something that I really enjoy, which can affect more than just a single business idea. If you’ve read my list of Top 10 Things Every Polyentrepreneur Needs to Thrive, you’ll know that “deliberate relaxation” is one of the most important – it’s #3. True, if the photography business does work it will likely become a bit more work than play to photograph roses, but for right now it’s what I do when I’m feeling stressed or depressed. Taking a few moments to focus on something else and come up with beautiful results does a lot of recharging, or at least it will as long as I keep the guilt at bay. It can also lead to worse results – lack of self esteem, lack of trust in myself, and lack of motivation in future projects and interests.

I have some techniques for combating this guilt.

Don’t be financially afraid.

This is a topic in and of itself that I struggle with hugely (and will likely write several articles on). Approaching your finances with responsibility and confidence instead of fear and anxiety will head off the guilt early on – if you feel financially secure, then there will be no reason you shouldn’t engage in something that doesn’t earn you money!

Even if you aren’t earning much now, take steps to be less afraid and keep the fear from taking over. Budgeting is an obvious step, but for some of us (including me right now) even that is daunting. So I share a piece of advice I heard recently, just a tiny step you can take to change your thinking: check your account balance every single day, and when you do, think of three things that are signs of how abundant your life is right now. This will both remind you of how much you already have as well as make looking at your money a pleasant activity instead of a frightening one. It’ll also make you more aware of how much money you really do have, which can help you curb bad spending habits.

Be conscious of your activities and why you do them.

This goes back to the “deliberate relaxation” thing. On days when I don’t have a plan I’ll often find myself spending hours on the internet or playing computer games, only to end feeling tired, unproductive, and frustrated with myself. However, on days when I spend all day working and then play games for an hour, or rest days that I consciously set aside for play, I enjoy myself and finishing feeling happy, refreshed, and even productive on occasion!

Acknowledge that you need downtime/playtime/non-money-making time and work it into your schedule. Whenever the guilt starts to creep in remind yourself – this is your time, and you as a person are much more important than your ability to make money.

Make this time practical in other ways.

I love to knit, but I’m full up on businesses that are nearly impossible to earn a living at, so I’m keeping it as a hobby. In order to justify the hours spent (and my yarn stash!), most of the things I knit are entirely practical – I’ve made myself two scarves already, and I’m looking forward to a hat, a second set of fingerless gloves (my mother made my first), and eventually bigger projects like a sweater.

If you personally don’t have a practical use for your hobbies, you can also give things as gifts! Giving homemade gifts is getting to be a huge movement right now, and most people understand and appreciate the time you spent – making the gift that much more meaningful.

How have you dealt with your guilt?

See the full list of needs here.

Sometimes I am overcome with excitement just thinking about how much knowledge is open to us. We have libraries, universities, friends and neighbors… and then there’s that vast world of the internet. Almost any question we have or interest we think of can be researched within hours if not minutes. Hobbyists and entrepreneurs are able to open business with nothing but the power of the internet and their own guts and determination.

And as polyentrepreneurs, we need this. We really don’t have time to try things out ourselves; if we’re to have any time to actually start and run our businesses, we need to take advantage of the wealth of information and experience others make available through blogs, books, and programs.

Start with the basics.

If you’ve never done x before (x=started an online shop/blog, recorded an album, used Photoshop, etc.) then you should definitely start with a source that covers all the basics. And by basics, I mean the stuff that is objective – legal matters like business licenses and finances, getting to know the ins and outs of any software or websites you’ll be using, etc. This stuff can be pretty dull when you want to jump right in and list items or play with photos, but it’ll save you lots of time, money, and heartache in the future. Etsy and other selling sites often have entire handbooks to help you get started, which I strongly recommend at least skimming.

Find voices you agree with.

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to find a core of advice-givers that resonate with you. (I’ll include links to some of my favorites at the end.) No matter how good your instincts are, you want to be reading the advice of others on a daily basis. Someone will inevitably think of something you haven’t or convince you to try something you’d written off, or even just phrase something in a way that prompts your own thinking process.

A good way to start off is by just doing some kind of general search on Google – “more sales on Etsy” or something to that effect. Click on a few sites that look interesting to you, read a post or two, and if you’re even mildly interested subscribe to their newsletters. You’ll find out within a few emails if they’re really the kind of people you’re interested in – if you find yourself deleting their newsletters without even opening them, it’s time to unsubscribe!

Keep your eyes open.

Your needs and interest will gradually change, so don’t let yourself be stuck with the same blogs for the rest of your life. Take note of any guest posts you enjoy, articles you see pinned or shared, and bloggers you see promoted, and follow them back to the source. When I started my Etsy shop I was subscribed to only one blog, and almost all of the blogs I now read have come from me following links from guest posts! (I also no longer read any of the blogs I read back then; I outgrew them all or they stopped posting.)

Keep an eye on the competition, too.

There’s a lot you can learn from those in the your field. Don’t be afraid to try out a few things you’ve seen others do – imitate a jewelry technique or color scheme, cover a song, or write your own thoughts on another blogger’s topic. At the very least it’ll keep you on your toes, and may even spur your creativity to new and great ideas!

With this advice comes the caveat: be yourself at all times and don’t copy. I’ve seen some of our competitors try to copy us, and it’s never gone well for them. All the knockoffs at dirt-cheap prices in the world won’t make up for your lack of innovation.

My favorites!

Marketing Creativity: This blog is my current overall favorite! Lisa Jacobs writes quick, helpful, thought-provoking articles and posts several times a week. Her focus is on creative businesses.

Marie Forleo: Marie posts one or two videos a week of her answering questions and/or talking with industry experts. Focus: “creating a business and life you love!”

Smaller Box: This blog isn’t updated regularly, but when it is updated it always packs a punch. Meredith is a partner in a fairly successful t-shirt company and her advice is geared more towards bigger small business like her own (that is ones with six-figure incomes) but there’s still a lot to be gleaned for any small business owner.

What blogs or sites have you found useful? Feel free to comment below!

Subtitle: all the things I didn’t do which led me to not post on this blog for a month and a half.

As a polyentrepreneur, life is about maintaining an incredibly delicate balance; neglect of any area can cause it to whither away (especially in talents where daily practice is critical) and neglecting more than one can create a crisis. But even the best-laid plans can go awry. My recent absence from this blog so soon after its launch was due to something beyond my control: my jewelry company got a massive rush order that had me working 10-14 hour days and had contractors over at my house at all hours to help. We barely finished on time, and during the weeks before the due date I got nothing else done.

No singing. (I’ve lost a couple of notes off my range.)

No writing. (I’m kicking myself over readers I must have lost when they saw that June 9th was the last time I’d posted.)

No working on other orders. (I’m still trying to catch up.)

However, though I didn’t have a choice in getting the order or the time frame, there are things I could have and should have been doing every day that made it so I could have handled this order without completely dropping my other obligations.

Always have some things prepared ahead of time.

Etsy allows you to save draft listings to post on your own schedule. Blogs can also save drafts and can even be scheduled ahead of time to post. Facebook can schedule posts. I can take pictures and edit photos of up to 30 new items in a day. I know what my bestselling items are in my jewelry shop and keep intending to make some spare sets. And yet when this order came, all those tanks were at empty – and I didn’t even use the couple of days I had before I could start the order to fill them up.

Not only will having drafts saved make it easier on you in the future, it often takes less time to prepare listings/blog posts/product photos in batches anyway. In more organized times I’ve assigned a different job to each day of the week (product photography, preparing new listings, etc.) and spent an hour or two doing that job that day. Usually this leaves me with more than a week’s worth of finished posts/listings, so if I stick to that system I’ll be fine if another huge order comes!

Make realistic daily goals and stick to them.

I knew I was in trouble right off the bat. I needed to make about 250 bracelets a day to finish on time, and I estimated based on nothing that I could only finish 50 bracelets a day by myself. However, I went ahead and a) only made 50 bracelets a day, spending substantial time goofing off (turns out I can make more than 100 of those bracelets a day, something I only found out a week later); b) assumed that my two main contractors could handle at least as much a day as I could (turns out one of them averaged 20 a day); c) didn’t take steps to bring on more help until days later; and d) pretended that the deadline didn’t actually exist.

This turned out about as well as you’d think it would.

We were lucky in that we were able to get a week extension on the deadline (though I promptly got behind again because I’m professional like that) but extension or no I would have saved myself a lot of stress (and gotten a lot more sleep) if I’d had and met realistic personal and overall quotas. I don’t know what I’m most ashamed about: pretending that somehow the extra bracelets would get done (magic?), or not realizing that I could (and needed to!) make 100+ bracelets a day.

Check in with everything else for a few minutes a day.

My goal going into this order was to do at least the bare minimum with my other responsibilities every day. I was sure, especially in those early days when I was only making 50 bracelets, that I could still keep up with my shops, my photography, my writing, and my singing. I actually kept that goal for the first few days, but that was almost part of the problem – instead of the bare minimum I was spending hours away from the order. Then I switched into crisis mode and let everything drop entirely, hurting my voice, my online presence, and the momentum I’ve slowly been building in my jewelry shop after several months of slow sales.

Next time I’ll actually stick to my goal and do it right. First thing in the morning I’ll get everything out of the way – answer emails, package orders, sing for a few minutes, etc. I’ll keep an eye on the clock and do these things as quickly as possible before starting on the day’s quota. When I break for lunch and dinner it’ll be back to the computer to take care of emails, to write a little and edit photos, before switching right back to the order.

ORGANIZATION.

I spent hours in the last few days counting bracelets, alternately finding that we were a hundred ahead or a hundred-plus short. The day before they had to be shipped I had to run to the store at least twice for thread and beads we didn’t have. I was actually unable to make the last few bracelets because we didn’t realize until the last minute that the client hadn’t sent us enough beads and I didn’t have time to find replacements. It was awful.

When I have orders like this I always assume that I should throw myself in and figure out the specifics later, and for smaller orders that works okay. It wasn’t until this order that the inherent flaws in that system became clear. So learn from my mistakes – I would have saved myself a lot of time and money if I’d organized everything from the beginning: separating out thread and beads into packages of 50 or 100, buying supplies in bulk instead of driving all over town to find a few skeins of thread in an obscure store, planning meals I’d serve at our hours-long bracelet parties instead of throwing whatever looked good into my cart. Next time I’ll definitely start with a plan and a spreadsheet.

Squeeze in a little self-care.

What we did do fairly well with this order was take frequent mini-breaks. Every hour or so everyone currently at my apartment would get up, stretch, take a short walk outside, and get a snack. Even just a minute or two made a huge difference in our focus and our bodies – my cousin even got more flexible, and I was able to keep the wrist pain at bay (I’m at risk for carpel tunnel).

Though that helped, it didn’t quite cover it. I was pushing my mind and body to the breaking point and when I finally put down my work and headed to bed, they took downtime whether I wanted it or not. Every night I found myself getting on my laptop intending to do work and still wandering aimlessly around the internet an hour later, or pulling up a fanfic on my phone in bed intending to read one chapter and finally turning off my light when I’d read “the end.” And the worst part is that because I spent the whole time chiding myself for “wasting time” I wasn’t even getting the full benefits!

So schedule time for yourself. No matter how busy, you can take half an hour to read a book, play video games, or go to the gym. This will not only keep you sane during your busiest times but will also shorten the time you’ll need afterword to recover.

Good luck with your future huge rush orders, hell weeks for performances, and taking of massive tests!