Well, I’m back. The good news is that being terrified apparently didn’t scare me off. Bad news is I’m still terrified. Possibly even more so now. But hey, what’s a little fear amongst friends, acquaintances and a cyber-sphere of complete strangers, right?

Speaking of fear, it has become blatantly obvious to me that this – the idea of setting goals and making, or rather committing to, plans in order to reach them – is a major roadblock for me.

Case in point: what you’re reading right now…NOT my original post! This is, in fact, my third attempt at writing this bad boy. A good (and honest!) friend read my second version, only to come back to me, saying, “I get the feeling you are dancing around your subject, not taking the plunge.”

Wow. Talk about being called out! And of course, she’s right. Maybe it’s my lack of confidence, or my fear of failure. Whatever IT is, it’s making it hard for me to take that plunge.

So…what do I do? I know what I would tell someone else in my shoes: Get the bleep over it! Yet, I can’t do it myself. Funny how emotions aren’t controlled by logic. Darn them!

Okay. So how about I try to approach this logically? (And please, no comments from the peanut gallery – I’m trying here!)

Logically, I know what I want: to rebuild my business, to reclaim some of my former success, and to move my office Out of the Bedroom (and preferably into a full-on, separate, out-of-the-house-and-in-an-office-building office.) Also logically, I know I need a plan in order to reach that goal…because seriously, my current “no plan” plan just is not working.

So even though, officially, I’m still “dancing” (as my friend so aptly put it), I’m getting tired, and the next song is kinda lame. Enough with the excuses – let’s do this.

Okay…In order to reach my goals, I need to bring in more business and more money. To do that, I need to market myself more, and market myself better.

Sure, I’ve been given a ton of advice and have a list of things to do a mile long, but I’ve always managed to find a way to put it off. You know, one of those “I can never find the time…” situations. Hey, you try “finding” the time when you’re being pulled in a million different directions by family demands, household obligations, clients, everyday errands, laundry piles that never seem to shrink, and a sink that is perpetually filled with dirty dishes!

And yes, I know I need to MAKE the time. But…Oh. I did say no more excuses, didn’t I? Well, fine then. Here’s my three-month plan:

• Spend one hour each day working on marketing my business (begin immediately)
• Finish and submit book proposal (by 7/6)
• Write a press release regarding this column for Create Magazine’s Fall issue (due 7/13)
• Finish bulk of website update (due 8/1)
• Begin focusing marketing efforts on my niche areas (beginning 8/1)
• Begin putting together a prospect list (beginning 8/1)
• Connect with one prospect per week – either through email, snail mail or in-person (beginning 8/1)
• Join my local Chamber of Commerce (by 9/1)
• Develop e-newsletter (by 9/1)
• Develop and write out my official “process” and put together marketing packets (by 10/1)
• Write one press release per month
• Continue with monthly networking group, and add one more networking event per month
• Win a Design award (I’ve entered several recently, now I’m just waiting)

I know there’s more to do, but this list is slightly overwhelming as it is…I don’t want to blow a gasket before I’ve even started, ya know?

There you have it, folks. The “down and dirty” version of my immediate plan of attack for reaching goal Numero Uno: moving Out of the Bedroom.

And, with that, the real work begins…

Join me next time, as I continue my journey Out of the Bedroom,
Tamar Wallace | Principal, TAMAR Graphics

Out of the Bedroom. Okay, okay. I know some of you – if not most – were hoping for some porn…or at least a little spice. Well, I can’t promise you either (but I will leave the door cracked, just in case ;-) What I can promise is an honest and in-depth look at the challenges faced by a real-life mother/wife/designer/businesswoman as I focus my energies on reaching my professional (and personal) goals.

That being said, let’s get started, shall we?

“When are you gonna get a real job?”
“You’ll go back to work when your kid starts school, right?”
“It must be fun working from home.”
“But you can do whatever you want – you work for yourself!”

Yup. I’ve heard ‘em all. Funny thing though – when business was great, and I was the main income provider, no one asked if I was going to get a “real job,” no one thought it was “fun working from home,” or that I could do whatever I wanted. Everyone just thought I worked hard and made good money. And they were right.

Fast forward to today. A lot has happened over the past few years to throw a monkey wrench into my plans of working hard and making good money. I had a baby…and while he was a good baby from day one, feeding him, changing him and just getting to know this new little person sort of took priority. I figured my clients would understand. Some did, some didn’t.

Then we moved. And not just a little move, but a big, pack-up-and-sell-the-house-
drive-across-the-country-with-a-dog-and-a-20-month-old-in-tow move. Good times. Again, I figured my clients would understand, and again, some did, some didn’t.

And then, a little more than a year after the BIG move, we moved again. This time it was within city limits, but it was a major downsizing. Which brings me to my current location – the bedroom. Granted it is the largest room in the place (which really isn’t saying much), but my God – I spend a good 20 hours a day in this ONE ROOM! Frankly, I need to get Out of the Bedroom!

So yeah, I could pack it all in and go get a “real job.” Believe me, I’ve thought about it…a lot. But the thing I just cannot get out of my head is that I did it once before. I was, in fact, a successful graphic designer, earning a more-than-comfortable living, and had a pretty solid reputation. If I did it once, then I can do it again, right? Right!

So now I’ve made the decision not only to rebuild my business and reclaim some of my former success, but to document it as well – for all to see. Please don’t let my calm demeanor and charming banter fool you – I’m TERRIFIED!

I’m terrified of actually putting my goals down on paper (real or virtual), as doing so seems to give them life, rather than just allowing them to remain thoughts in my head. And I’m terrified – and more than a little exhilarated – because by my committing to write this column for BoDo, I’ve committed to being accountable – not only to myself, but to the BoDo team, and anyone reading this.

To quote Ace Merrill (as played by Kiefer Sutherland) in Stand By Me, “This is big time, baby.” It’s time for me to put up, or shut up.

Join me next time, as I continue my journey Out of the Bedroom,
Tamar Wallace | Principal, TAMAR Graphics