posted
A few days ago I laid down a challenge to my sign making friends.
quote: In past years I have thrown out various challenges, seeking to both stimulate others and myself to raise the bar in our own abilities. Some rose to the challenge - others didn't. And that's OK.
To those who are up for it I propose a NEW CHALLENGE for 2010.
I HEREBY CHALLENGE each person here to build a sample piece(s) for their own showroom. Pull out the stops - learn about and then try something new. Post designs and various steps along the way here so all may see, learn and be challenged to do something more for themselves.
The rules are simple. It isn't about routing, 3D, paint vinyl, digital printing or anything else or anything else specifically. Rather than trade or exchange pieces - keep it for your walls to show to customers and hopefully sell more like it. Do a new sign for your shop, wrap your truck. Anything is game for this challenge... except a customer's job.
The project I propose you do is to do the type of thing you wish you could do as a dream project or the type of work you would like to do in your shop. It doesn't have to be big. Use scraps or sample materials you have from suppliers. The deadline is up to you but don't let it drag out or it simply won't get done.
Each time I give a workshop the comment I hear most often is that folks just can't find the time to do these kind of projects or samples for themselves. I would argue the they simply don't make the time. I don't believe I have any more hours in my day than anybody else I know of... and yet I seem to squeeze these projects in. I believe everyone else could too - if they really wanted to.
Keep it fun. This isn't about being better than anyone else... it's about being the very best you can possibly be... a little more than yesterday. The winner will be each of us the whole year through. Getting better, selling the work you WANT to do is all about attitude. First you have to want it, then you have to do it - then you can sell it.
I spoke with Tom McIltrot, editor of SignCraft this morning. He LOVES the idea of this challenge and what it will do for each of us if we follow through. He has promised to publish an article or two on the projects if I submit a story and pictures to him. Here's a chance to get some great exposure in the very best sign magazine out there...
Start planning your projects... post them here to inspire and perhaps prod others to do the same. Also keep me in the loop with pictures and descriptions of your projects. I'll write about it and we'll see what gets published.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
A number of people have posted their intentions and a few photos have been submitted on the other site already. I've also received a few phone calls and a bunch of emails indicating people are taking this challenge seriously.
The challenge is NOT about dropping paying projects and simply having some fun. Rather it is about purposely taking small amounts of time each day to make regular progress on a project. Big dreams are best realized in a while bunch of small steps.
The time to take your first small step down that road is TODAY.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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