Forced to work...born to craft! Staying motivated is hard!

For those of you that know me, you will know that on top of running my workshops, getting my catalogue made up in time for my August shop launch (exciting!), this blog and decorating events I also work a day job.

I have just had a lovely week off in which I went to London with the boyfriend and as a result I have done very little work but came home feeling refreshed and motivated. That did not last...

Staying motivated is difficult when you know you are back in the day job tomorrow, the kitten needs to go to the vets, food shopping needs doing, the washing needs doing and the building work in the bathroom needs arranging. Its very easy to lose your love for what you are doing when you feel like you are working yourself into the ground and not getting very far very fast.

We however do not take enough time to congratulate ourselves on the small achievement's which all add up to the larger achievement! In my 'week off' I've co-organised a craft event for September, started organising future classes, arranged meetings, worked on projects (albeit personal but still need doing!), designed 2 big projects and ordered lots of supplies and written this blog!

Oh I also finished a community project to be seen at The Flyover Fest in Liverpool this weekend! Not bad going...

I often have off days...like today..in which I will scour the internet for things that cheer me up, make me feel like I'm not on my own (even though I am a one woman business) and just generally give me a kick up the arse to stop feeling sorry for myself, to organise my time and remember why I'm getting into this game in the first place :)

Here are a few of my favourite pick me ups!

Bink from Pearls & Swine's business advice - saved me from the depths of despair a few weeks ago!

Betty Pamper's sassy self-employment advice to help pull me out of a creative slump!

Henry Rollin's story - coz I love him and he is right! Take the plunge!

Google's top 'motivate me' search result! - a little bit too 'american' for my taste but some really nice points in here!

Gratitude is happiness. Happiness is motivating. Be grateful more often by thinking about who and what you’re happy for, or by telling someone.

Applies to everyone who loves their hobby!

You are doing great! So don't stress :)

How do you stay motivated??