Having recently moved back to the United States from Germany, I feel a bit scattered when it comes to my creative business. Some of my products are in storage, some are on route from Germany and others are in my possession but badly in need of organization. Right now, I just do not have the energy to jump back into the normal routine that I once conditioned myself to follow. Emails, blogs, listing new inventory, and now preparing for Holiday Markets – well, it feels like a whirlwind swirling around in my head.

How do I begin?

The answer: slow and steady. Practically speaking this means:

1. As I begin to sift through emails and prepare blog posts, I remind myself that authenticity is a key component to maintaining relationships and generating future sales once I am up and running at full capacity. Attempt to remain authentic rather than sending out a plethora of empty responses and mindless connection.

2. I have used the time to assess if I am using my creative energy in the right places. These include time spent on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media.

3. I began a journal of new ideas. I KNOW this sounds crazy, right? But somehow not having access to my old designs is causing me to delve into some “what if” scenarios with my product line.

What suggestions would you offer for those transition periods?

~Robin Norgren