It's back to reality for most of us and great plans are promised by ourselves to ourselves, "resolutions" we call them. However, sometimes we are unable to follow through with what we have planned out.
The definition for the term resolution according to Oxford dictionary is ' A firm decision to do or not to do something'.
So how can we go about executing our plans to the best of our abilities?
Whatever it is that you would like to achieve whether it's within your professional or personal life you need to start somewhere, so why not start small. Making big changes to your life can seem unachievable but little incremental movements can cause a landslide.
If this is the year when you will take your fashion business to the next level, then you need to know how you will go about this.
Here are some ways that may help you to do this:
1. Writing things down - this can give you clarity as to what you would like to achieve
2. Identify who/what can help you with - connect with people who you think you may be able to learn from
3. Set clear weekly/monthly goals - this way you can track what you have done and what you plan to do
Re-evaluate
Sometimes it may just be worth taking a step back and re-evaluating your business. During this time you could read a few books that are relevant to the business you would like to create. Learning about your chosen profession whether it be the history of it, or the present influences it is good to increase your knowledge of the subject.
Learning more will give you more confidence as to how you can approach and achieve what you desire.
For example; if you would like to create a men's 'Ready To Wear' collection then why not research some of the menswear ready- to- wear fashion designers and get an idea of their journey, their passions, and dreams. You may learn something that could help become inspired and help you with creating your design aesthetics.
Or you could look into the business side of fashion and learn about some of the best fashion entrepreneurs. The insight you gain from doing this may pay dividends in the long run.
What are we saying?
What we are expressing is that actions with regards to your fashion business does not always have to come in the form of getting a garment made, but that it can come in the form of knowledge and learning around your discipline that may make the garment making process more clearly defined and concise in the future.
It's important not to be too hard on yourself.
When we set a clock to our perceived success we can sometimes become overwhelmed which can also make us anxious. It is important to not be too hard on yourself and take things in your stride.
We do believe that it is important to work towards a plan, but we also believe that sometimes things happen when they are supposed to.
For example; You are a beginner at sewing and started a 6 week sewing course with no previous experience. At the end of the 6 weeks you were offered a sewing job at Alexander McQueen to join the department sewn silks and chiffons. Is it likely that that you would get the job? Probably not.
If however, you were consistently sewing for 3-5years and had experience in sewing silks and chiffons and the same opportunity for Alexander McQueen came up, would you be able to work in the sewing department then? Probably yes.
'What you do in the present does affect the future' - Bernice Miller
As you can see, you most probably will not be able to take advantage of great opportunities before your time because you are just not ready. If you keep plugging away and putting in the work, over time you will get better at what you do and so when an opportunity does arise you will be in a much better position to seize it.
We do live in an age where things are moving very quickly and where we feel as though we should be achieving Y by X time, but we are all different and we are all running our own race at our own pace, it's important to remember that.
So on to the new year. Our advice is to approach it with a sense of contentment that everything you do towards your business will have an impact, and that as long as you are moving forward, you are making progress. :)
