When Plans Change

From Frustrated to Optimistic

When plans change, it can be frustrating. It happens to the best of us. Sometimes we dive full force into what we think is the best option with the most promise for our families, careers, etc. Sometimes those plans pan out. And sometimes they take a detour. Mine took a detour…at least for now.

Several weeks ago, I took a break from blogging to focus on art and setting up a Patreon page. I’ve been working hard, both at drawing and at researching all that would go into setting up a successful Patreon page. In doing all of my research, I discovered right off the bat that it would be A LOT of work. I already knew this and was already beginning to feel overwhelmed at the prospect. I was pretty certain that I needed to figure out how to clone at least three of me in order to get any of it done in this lifetime. But what became more obvious was that I needed to work on a successful YouTube channel first as well as doubling (at the minimum) my social media numbers.

A Blessing in Disguise

It’s not always easy when plans change. And while this revelation was a bit disheartening at first, I discovered that a lot of the overwhelming load that was sitting squarely on my neck and shoulders simply dropped off. Not that creating the kind of numbers I need on YouTube and social media is any less daunting, but at least for now, it’s one less ginormous task to consider. And in creating content for YouTube, I’ll automatically be accumulating content for Patreon.

So with this realization, I come back to blogging weekly and maintaining my focus on my drawings. The difference is, now I’ll be making sure to record my work every time I sit down to draw. Those videos then need to be edited and uploaded to YouTube where I’ll hopefully start gaining an audience. Once those numbers are substantial, then I’ll be able to start working on my Patreon account.

The Daunting To-Do List

Copyright: aleutie / 123RF Stock Photo

It doesn’t really mean I have any less work to do. There’s a ton of work and projects ahead of me. I’ll be blogging about it along the way and I hope you’ll continue to join me on the journey. Here’s some of what’s on my to-do list:

• Fix my messed up LinkedIn page
• Create a proper banner and profile for YouTube
• Create a trailer video for YouTube
• Edit video for three sketches (so far)
• Create thumbnails for YouTube videos
• Create another Instagram page strictly for my artwork
• Actively take the time to grow that Instagram page organically
• Create a Kindle version and hardcopy book of my sketches
• Make my work available on more sites like Fine Art America and Saatchi
• Revamp Etsy and eBay for my artwork
• Continue making designs for TeePublic, and oh yea…
• Complete three pending commissions with more to come the closer we get to Xmas!

That’s just the tip of the iceberg! I was literally this close (picture my index finger and thumb about a hair’s width apart) to losing my cool with how overwhelmed I felt. It turns out it may have been exactly what I needed to make me step back and reevaluate the plan. I take comfort in knowing that I’m not abandoning my goals, just changing the order in which things happen. Ultimately, I want to tackle this plan in the easiest way possible instead of running around like a chicken without its head. My first plan would have made things far more frustrating, like putting the cart before the horse, and the chances of my quitting would have increased. Now, I feel as though I have a clearer roadmap…like I just turned on my Waze GPS app and it’s rerouted me around a huge traffic jam.

How do you handle things when plans change?

Update:

Check one off the to-do list! Instagram page created. Follow me at @mnaito_fineart

If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and tell a friend!