Competing at the highest level is the greatest test of one's character. ~Russell Mark
I have always been a competitive person- it was what motivated me to achieve success. It may have started when I was young- I am the middle child and my older sister and I would create games and being that I was younger- I usually lost... and then I would quit, my sister loved that. Yup, didn't want to play unless I could win. Maybe I wasn't the best kickball player or most invisible hider in the 'go seek' challenge. But I tried and failure just stunk!
It wasn't until I started elementary school and took my art classes very seriously that being the best at something became important. Trying to be the best little artist I could and making the most life-like ceramic dog I could was my goal. Which, by the way, was complimented at the artshow as being a very well done horse. Horses don't sit like that, come on!!! har-rumph! At the end of every year, I crossed my little fingers and hoped to win the 'Art Award'- a validation that I tried REALLY hard to be the best, possibly I was the only one who cared about that award- but that's what motivated me. (By the way, I won from grade 1 thru 6- every year- OK, had to share the award in 6th grade, but who is counting?) ;)
In the process of making Braille Jewelry- or any jewelry or product for that matter, being aware of your 'competitors' is important. Knowing what is out there helps me to keep my product line fresh and unique. When I am attending conferences and meeting many of you, the one comment that I hear over and over is about the selection being so great. Joking, I answer that I am like a squirrel, I am unfocused and move to the next project quickly. I personally like selection- don't you?
The moral of my story is this: through maturity (all that know me, please stop laughing)I have learned that when faced with competition, rise above and just be better. Don't quit! Simply let your work, skills, experience, and talent speak instead.
I have always been a competitive person- it was what motivated me to achieve success. It may have started when I was young- I am the middle child and my older sister and I would create games and being that I was younger- I usually lost... and then I would quit, my sister loved that. Yup, didn't want to play unless I could win. Maybe I wasn't the best kickball player or most invisible hider in the 'go seek' challenge. But I tried and failure just stunk!
It wasn't until I started elementary school and took my art classes very seriously that being the best at something became important. Trying to be the best little artist I could and making the most life-like ceramic dog I could was my goal. Which, by the way, was complimented at the artshow as being a very well done horse. Horses don't sit like that, come on!!! har-rumph! At the end of every year, I crossed my little fingers and hoped to win the 'Art Award'- a validation that I tried REALLY hard to be the best, possibly I was the only one who cared about that award- but that's what motivated me. (By the way, I won from grade 1 thru 6- every year- OK, had to share the award in 6th grade, but who is counting?) ;)
In the process of making Braille Jewelry- or any jewelry or product for that matter, being aware of your 'competitors' is important. Knowing what is out there helps me to keep my product line fresh and unique. When I am attending conferences and meeting many of you, the one comment that I hear over and over is about the selection being so great. Joking, I answer that I am like a squirrel, I am unfocused and move to the next project quickly. I personally like selection- don't you?
The moral of my story is this: through maturity (all that know me, please stop laughing)I have learned that when faced with competition, rise above and just be better. Don't quit! Simply let your work, skills, experience, and talent speak instead.
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