Monday's question

[Lis Garrett]

Thanks to Grow Together member, Dannie, for suggesting we post a new discussion each Monday in an attempt to bolster member participation. This week's question is:

Do you have an obstacle that you feel holds you back?

[Lis Garrett]

I'll be the first to answer!

I am incredibly shy. Speaking with people I don't really know is almost painful for me. I dread it, and I become embarrassingly tongue-tied. However, I am an okay public speaker when I've rehearsed what I'm going to say. Just don't catch me off guard! My daughter, Hannah, complains that I don't talk enough, but I honestly like being quiet. I could probably go an entire day without talking to anyone, and I'd be just fine . . . .

(bless the Internet and email!)

[Debbie Yost]

Lis, I have trouble with the one on one too, although I've gotten better at it with age, but I love to talk in front of a crowd. In fact, I have trouble shutting up. My oldest is a lot like me but Diva is the opposite. She's great one on one, but put her in front of a crowd and she clams up.

My answer would be follow through. Lately I've been thinking of this a lot. I always have all these great ideas and I get started on them but when they don't come together quickly or easily I seem to give up and move on to another great idea. I really want to make a go at a writing career, but I find myself getting discouraged. There is so much competition. How do I set myself apart from the rest. How do I get that break. I am determined to NOT give up, but sometimes I feel like it. Thank goodness for Root & Sprout. I am comfortable here and I know the ropes well enough to participate in an effective manner. Now I just need to figure out how to spread my wings and fly.

[Susan Sosbe]

Are we supposed to pick only one obstacle? :)

I would say one of my biggest obstacles is procrastination with a low attention span thrown in the mix. I get sidetracked very easily, especially while researching information for an article.

It has gotten better over the years, especially the procrastination. My parents now get their Christmas presents in December instead of July. It may not be before Christmas, but they should get it sometime in that last week before the new year hits.

Now that half of my income depends on my writing and how much I get done, I have definitely learned to manage my time more effectively, but I still have room for improvement.

[Farmer's Wife/Glass_Half_Full]

I agree with Debbie. I'm full of all these great ideas and I start following them and I want to do them but at the same time I'm too busy with the pros and cons. I want to sell my own hot sauce (actually, I want to paten and sell my process to a large grocer so I reap some income but don't have to be tied to the packer for the rest of my life). I met with a paten attorney (wife to a friend) and came out intimidated. I don't typically get intimidated. But, I'm a "ducks in row" Gal. She told me to just jump in duck free... :-o

I love arts and crafts. I love scrapbooking. I love planning children's birthday parties and building a theme on little money and bringing their party dream to life! I even have and Etsy store (with nothing in it, though I have done a booked party or two for income).

Of course, there is the writing. Which, I've loved since a child. My freshman year in highschool, I started a teen romance novel. About a year ago, when reviewing a box of old stuff from back then, I found it in there. I read it and it was pretty cute. Though, I had strayed from it because my inspiration was coming from real life and "real life" didn't pan out the way the book was headed.

My blog began as a 365 daily photo and a place to share a few things. A friend got me started. The next thing I knew I exploded into a gregarious, loquacious blogger. And my inner voice yells out "READ ME!"

My biggest obstacle is partly follow through -- but more due to wanting to do it all and do it all really well. Which, is possible but requires sacrifices that sometime I might not enjoy making. And, is the sacrifice of skipping a "tea party" in Lil'Gal's room worth the scrubbed floors and baseboards.

I really juggle with this because I want it all. Sparkling home, Accomplished children, Career from home, Involved in the community, Involved in the school, Great wife, Fantastic health and [hawt] body. You know. Super-Mom.

I can be my own best friend and my own worst enemy in this way. But, aren't we all? Kinda? And, in some way?

[Kelly]

My obstacle is myself. It was created when I was a child. Due to family circumstances, I often need to be asked to participate in a group, etc. I'm not good at inviting myself or assuming others want me to participate. This plays havoc in the business world. I send an email, letter, or make a call and when people don't respond I assume their not interested. I move on without any follow-up. This has been a huge downfall for me in my current business. So, I've joined a monthly program that should help with scripting, follow-up, confidence, sales skills, etc. All I really need to do is overcome my issues that I already know I have. Boy, change can be difficult!

[Lis Garrett]

Well, we definitely want you here Kelly!!! But I know what you mean. Branching out on my own and starting Root & Sprout has been a HUGE test in self confidence. There is not a day that goes by that I don't feel like hyperventilating. I still have this nagging feeling that whenever I open an email, it'll say something along the lines of how much he or she hates Root & Sprout. I'm not the kind of person who can shake off one rude comment easily, and I've been reduced to tears on many occasions. And instead of simply turning the other cheek, I brood about it an let it bother me WAY too much. I've had to quickly grow a thick skin!

Kelly said:

My obstacle is myself. It was created when I was a child. Due to family circumstances, I often need to be asked to participate in a group, etc. I'm not good at inviting myself or assuming others want me to participate. This plays havoc in the business world. I send an email, letter, or make a call and when people don't respond I assume their not interested. I move on without any follow-up. This has been a huge downfall for me in my current business. So, I've joined a monthly program that should help with scripting, follow-up, confidence, sales skills, etc. All I really need to do is overcome my issues that I already know I have. Boy, change can be difficult!

[Julie Brown]

Absolutely! I feel that I care too much about what people think of me and unless I'm teaching or giving a lecture where I'm sure of myself, I can pretty much be a mouse in public. Loud, judgemental people really bother me so I try to just fly under the radar. I don't feel that it holds me back all of the time...I can stand up for myself and I've stepped into situations to help people out, but I have a relatively small group of close friends because I'm afraid to put myself out there.

[Nicole John]

My biggest obstacle is learning to say no. I want to be active and participate in so many things and I end up overwhelmed with committments. Then I am stressed with having so much to and not enough time to complete it all. This is the biggest one at the moment.

[Rhonda]

I shy away from personal conflict. I am very outspoken, an extrovert, and I am not afraid to debate or add my own commentary or opinion on most subjects. But when a conflict arises involving friends or family, it can be an incredibly intimidating situation for me. It holds me back because when I don't speak up about something I should have, I'm irritated at myself later.

It's a personality trait I am working hard to improve. Conflict is a part of life and as adults we need to be able to handle it, well, like adults. :)

[Shells Walter]

Yes, at times I do. Certain things that keep popping up based upon the state we live in. Plus we eventually want to move out of this state back to where I am originally from.

[Terri Rawls]

I think my biggest obstacle is that I often allow others to sidetrack me from whatever task I am trying to do. Before retiring from Juvenile Probation three years ago I was working 60-80 hours a week. Retirement allowed me the time I needed to begin freelancing (writing and illustrating) but, because I'm home now, others assume "I'm not doing anything" and could I please _______.

[Lis Garrett]

That's certainly a problem a lot of us freelancers have, Terri!

TerriR said:

I think my biggest obstacle is that I often allow others to sidetrack me from whatever task I am trying to do. Before retiring from Juvenile Probation three years ago I was working 60-80 hours a week. Retirement allowed me the time I needed to begin freelancing (writing and illustrating) but, because I'm home now, others assume "I'm not doing anything" and could I please _______.