Okay…I’m bad. I know it. It’s been a month since my last post, and I’m sorry! However, my delay has been for good reason. And, as it’s been nearly three months since first getting “Down and Dirty” and putting my 3-month plan down on virtual paper, I thought it only fair to give you an update.

So let’s start with the bad news first. For starters, while I have written most of my book proposal (and by most, I mean I have an outline done), I have yet to type it up and send it off. But in all honesty, that has been put on the back burner. Second, and this is a big one, I have not yet finished my website. Ugh…I know, I know. That should have been priority number one…but hey, have YOU finished yours? Seriously, though, my problem is that once I get going, it’s hard for me to stop and switch gears, so I put it off until I know I’ll have a good chunk of time to devote to it. Obviously I have yet to find that chunk…

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time for the good news: what I HAVE been doing, and why I’m so excited about it all.

First off, I did manage to get my press release about the launch of this column written and submitted to Create Magazine by their deadline. And even better, I just found out that it got a mention in the Scoop section of the Sept/Oct 2007 Northeast edition. And BoDo got a plug in there, too!

Second…no, I didn’t finish my site (specifically the portfolio section), but I did figure out how to customize a WordPress theme to match my site. So I’ll be launching my official business blog soon.

I’ve been pretty good about connecting with prospective and former clients, which hasn’t brought much in the form of new business yet, but I think that’s not unusual. These things take time.

Speaking of taking time, the monthly networking group I run is finally starting to pay off! After 15 months, I’m starting to get business and referrals from the members in my group. Of course, now that I know more people, I’m also able to give business and referrals, so maybe that has something to do with it, too…

What else…I’ve gotten a few big projects lately that I’m really excited about, and a few proposal requests – also for big projects. And I’ve finally determined my geographic target area, and have been developing a plan to market to that area.

Also, I’ve been meeting my goal of sending out one press release per month, most recently for winning two 2007 American Graphic Design Awards – yup, I can finally cross “Win a Design Award” off my to-do list!

And finally, after much thought, I’ve decided to go back to school to finish my degree. I received my letter of acceptance into the degree program at the beginning of the month.

So see? I’ve been a busy little bee…and everything that I have accomplished gets me one step closer to my goal: moving my office ‘Out of the Bedroom!’

Okay…Maybe I haven’t stuck strictly to my original goal (or guideline) plan, but by giving myself those guidelines, I’ve been able to accomplish other things…like determining my geographic target area, and getting more referrals through my networking group. Now it’s time to revisit my plan, and figure out what my priorities will be for the next three months..until something unexpected comes along and changes the course.

Now if only I could finish that darn website…

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