Calendar Girl Blog: Splatter Diagrams
I'm cooking up a new on-line business idea.
Three year's ago, my new to me mentor, suggested that I engage in the process of splatter diagrams. For several days, I lived with big sheets of paper taped to my office wall. I started the first sheet off with the title, My New Work and then threw every learned skill and life experience I could recall down on the page. After cramming every inch with words, I grouped the jumble into categories that made sense to me. Then I took those categories and brainstormed ways to turn them into income either as a new business or a partnership.
During the brainstorm, a fitting business opportunity knocked and I answered. That gig lasted two years.
Last night I started the process again. Only this time, I was coming to the paper knowing that my new income would be on-line. Very quickly the 7 sheets took on titles, grew with ideas and started to resemble a plan. The instant I woke this morning, I hustled to the sheets to add two ideas that burned into my sleeping mind. I carry barely wait to be at one with my sheets again this evening.
Ideas are not strangers to me. In fact, I'm infested with the buggers. My biggest challenge is to let my mind rest. Or conversely, guide my ideas along in a controlled and doable fashion. Kind of like breaking in a wild horse I suspect.
Now that I've put up my paper corral, my energy is contained and my wandering mind set to a task that will fuel me, the Breast of Canada project and my immediate arts community for the next decade. I always employ my peers whenever possible and it is no secret that as loved as Breast of Canada is, it still requires a handout from my bank account to exist.
Calendar Girl will be pitching her plan in early January. 'Til then, large paper sheets will decorate her living room walls and guests will be invited to participate in the splatter process. This phase has been a while in coming, and there have been a couple of half baked starts along the way. But when Calendar Girl gets out the tape and paper, there ain't no turning back.
Calendar Girl
Three year's ago, my new to me mentor, suggested that I engage in the process of splatter diagrams. For several days, I lived with big sheets of paper taped to my office wall. I started the first sheet off with the title, My New Work and then threw every learned skill and life experience I could recall down on the page. After cramming every inch with words, I grouped the jumble into categories that made sense to me. Then I took those categories and brainstormed ways to turn them into income either as a new business or a partnership.
During the brainstorm, a fitting business opportunity knocked and I answered. That gig lasted two years.
Last night I started the process again. Only this time, I was coming to the paper knowing that my new income would be on-line. Very quickly the 7 sheets took on titles, grew with ideas and started to resemble a plan. The instant I woke this morning, I hustled to the sheets to add two ideas that burned into my sleeping mind. I carry barely wait to be at one with my sheets again this evening.
Ideas are not strangers to me. In fact, I'm infested with the buggers. My biggest challenge is to let my mind rest. Or conversely, guide my ideas along in a controlled and doable fashion. Kind of like breaking in a wild horse I suspect.
Now that I've put up my paper corral, my energy is contained and my wandering mind set to a task that will fuel me, the Breast of Canada project and my immediate arts community for the next decade. I always employ my peers whenever possible and it is no secret that as loved as Breast of Canada is, it still requires a handout from my bank account to exist.
Calendar Girl will be pitching her plan in early January. 'Til then, large paper sheets will decorate her living room walls and guests will be invited to participate in the splatter process. This phase has been a while in coming, and there have been a couple of half baked starts along the way. But when Calendar Girl gets out the tape and paper, there ain't no turning back.
Calendar Girl
posted by Sue Richards at 9:21 AM
3 Comments:
Sue,
I learn something every time I see an entrepreneurial mind at work. If splatter diagrams does it for you, great. I wish you success, and I can't wait to see the outcome.
Likewise, I wait with anticipation to see your ideas become realities.
It is so refreshing and encouraging to read your blog everyday.
Thanks
Chris
Ahhhh shucks!!
Calendar Girl
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