Get EXCITED! A Pep Talk

Are you familiar with Lotta Jansdotter?

I first fell in love with her name – Lotta Jansdotter – it doesn’t get much better than that.

But then I was introduced to her design, I’d say in the late 90’s and was immediately smitten. Big, bold, beautiful use of color, her work is deeply rooted in nature and the landscape.

Which shouldn’t surprise us, given that Jansdotter is originally from a small group of islands in archipelago between Sweden and Finland.

Currently she is a designer, artist, author, maker and teacher. Most of you are no doubt aware of her work; she has grown her design business (including a fabulous library of titles) to reach an international market.

I read an interview with her that really impressed me. She seems to have a practical and self-sufficient/DIY approach to design. She is quoted as saying:

Can’t find what you want? Make it!

Don’t know how to make it? Learn!

And it’s my understanding that’s exactly what she did.

Learning basic craft skills as a child, through hard work and patience and practice she honed her skill to create sleek and urban products that are practical and functional.

I love her story as much as I love her design.

And I say if Lotta Jansdotter can do it, so can we!

Whatever you want, whatever your age, you can have it if you’re willing to work for it.

That work can look like:

Learning basic skills: Identify the skills and knowledge required to reach your goal. Invest time in learning and acquiring new skills through books, online courses, video, or maybe a mentor. Continuous learning in your field of interest will enhance your ability and increase your chances of success.

Networking/connecting: You might be surprised who holds critical information for you. Information that can move your project forward, or information that finally answers that technical question that’s been bugging you and hindering your progress. Tell people about your project. Meet new people. Look for input.

Take consistent action/prioritizing your time: It’s not going to happen until we make it a priority. That means give your project attention, give it quality time. Make working on it a habit.

Stay motivated: Beth used to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics. At one point I was invited to her group to lead a sales training discussion. As the Mary Kay Sales Director brought me to the front of the room, she ended her introduction by throwing up her hands and instructing her sales reps to, “GET EXCITED!!” It sounds cheesy, but it works. GET EXCITED!! and stay enthusiastic about your project.

Learn from setbacks. There’s a two-word saying that’s pretty powerful (maybe it’s from Atomic Habits by James Clear)

“Fail Fast.”

In other words, it’s not going to be all smooth sailing. It never is and that’s okay. Go out, stumble, fall, make your mistakes. And make them fast. And then get up, learn from the mistake, and move on. You’ve persevered and you’re back on course.

Stay open to change: Stay adaptable and open to change. Be flexible and willing to adapt your strategies as needed. We know that the path to success is not always linear, and circumstances can (and probably will) change. Embrace new opportunities, adjust your plans, and stay open to different possibilities.

In summary, there’s joy waiting for us all in accomplishment.

Whatever it is: from finally perfecting laminated dough that results in a glistening pan of buttery croissants to building a side table for your bedroom or painting a mural on your dinning room wall. Or maybe it’s starting a small business, growing a kitchen garden, moving to Japan or writing a true-crime novel.

Whatever it is that inspires and delights you, you are capable.

We are all capable.

Isn’t that a joyful, delightful, blissful thought?

Cheers,

Penny and Beth

Here’s a little library of resources that will support you:

Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert’s unique perspective about creativity

Lotta Jansdotter: 24 Open Artist Spaces - peeking into the private working spaces of creative individuals

Jo Packham: Where Women Create – Inspiring work spaces of extraordinary women

Ben Horowitz: The Hard Thing about Hard Things - The book follows the author’s story and leaves the reader with a real sense of how to approach problems.