Why do we beat ourselves up over what we DIDN’T get done?

Lillibridge week of productivity dakota 1966

I often find myself at the end of a week wondering what I have to show for it all. Since I live a creative life with a constantly emerging curriculum it’s a challenge to not beat myself up over what else I would’ve accomplished. This week I decided to see things differently. Instead of looking at my list of what I didn’t accomplish, I made my list of what I DID and it was pretty interesting. I sometimes long for a narrower focus as I written about before, but the variety of stuff I do is interesting and puts me in contact with a lot of people who really fuel my creativity.

I spent time with my former studio mate, Chicago Artist—Adam DeVarney and we had an amazing conversation that if it had been all I did this week—it would’ve been enough. Check out Adam’s funky work. LINKS BELOW

Jane Frank is a Burlington Master Goldsmith and jewelery class instructor who I am doing the branding and marketing for. We had a reporter come this week to do an article on Tuesday and the photographer came on Thursday to talk about her new WERKSTATT/workshop. I can’t wait to see how the story turns out in next weeks SevenDays (Burlington, Vermont’s alternative weekly paper). She has a great story and does beautiful work and it has been a pleasure to be on her team. We’re doing a trade and I am getting a pair of her chandelier earrings for my design/branding efforts. A great deal for both of us. LINKS BELOW

I also am trying to source the right tote bag for my kids summer business The Town Neck Company. It is a business trying to bring awareness to a barrier beach in Cape Cod where my husband grew up and we spend out summers. Oh, and I had the pleasure of getting upstairs at Champlain Leather in Burlington, Vermont and seeing the workshop. LINKS BELOW

It was my daughters 14th birthday on Saturday so there were some festivities over the weekend. I’ve spent time with friends, cleaned things out, taken loads of things to Goodwill, worked in the garden and taken 3 NIA dance classes at The South End Studio in Burlington (to keep my back from going out which renders me unable to do my work on the computer). LINK BELOW

I had a big group of people over for brunch on Sunday and it was great to hang out at such a mellow time of the week. It’s always pretty fun to have a glass of Prosecco and a bagel in the morning. I cleaned out cars and ran all of the regular household stuff we all have to do. My husband, Jeff Govoni was gone on a leadership camping trip in the rafting down the Colorado with an incredible group of people. He was so remote there was only a satellite phone so it was just me and my kiddos this last week. He’s a leadership coach and this was quite a journey with interesting business leaders from around the globe. LINK BELOW to his site too.

So, the next time you’re temped to be hard on yourself for things undone on your list. Make a DONE LIST for the week and pat yourself on the back. There is always next week. Happy Weekend!

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/
http://www.adamdevarney.com/
http://janefrankwerkstatt.wordpress.com/
http://www.janefrank.net/
http://www.southendstudiovt.com/
http://springtideleadership.com/

Home


5 thoughts on “Why do we beat ourselves up over what we DIDN’T get done?

  1. Renewed Reloved – I have always believed that I am an old soul-born in the wrong time period. I naturally gravitate towards furniture and home decor that looks like it has a story. It is helpful that I have always been handy and creative. To give you a little perspective, when I was seven years old my father and I went to a pancake breakfast where Santa was visiting all the children... well once Santa left, his stage needed to be taken down. I grabbed a drill and started disassembling the stage. Adults looked on and asked my father “does she know what she’s doing?” My father simply replied “she’s a pro.” It didn't stop there, every weekend my parents and I would walk through homes that were being constructed, and my mind would run wild with ideas. Interior design, home decorating, and creativity has always been a part of me, but it's full potential wasn't founded until 2012. While my father and I were driving, I asked him to pull over. Someone had thrown out a gorgeous antique hutch. I couldn't understand why anyone would throw out something so beautiful... well in all fairness, it had seen better days, but I knew it had potential. I brought it home, gave it a make over, and sold it almost instantly, and so I began Renewed Reloved. This business has allowed me to use my old soul in a creative way.
    kzechell on said:

    It’s so true…. We have major checklists, and you can feel undefeated if you don’t hammer anything away, but truth is you ARE getting something done!!! That’s the silver lining!!!!

  2. Lisa – I so needed this today! I was on the road most of the day Thursday – for work and to a grandson’s school program in Mitchell – was home Friday and did the usual household chores, while my husband was home sick with ecoli; Saturday I feel like I barely moved out of my chair!
    But I’m not going to beat myself up over one day of unproductive time. Thank you for your insight of things in life!

    • Lisa Lillibridge/Dakota 1966 – I grew up roaming and scavenging the plains of southern South Dakota. That childhood landscape instilled a desire for spaciousness that's stayed with me into adulthood. My work often reflects these themes.
      Lisa Lillibridge/Dakota 1966 on said:

      I’m glad it helped. Wow. That sounds like a really busy few days. Rest is necessary. I hope he’s feeling better.

Leave a Reply to agonz84Cancel reply