Are you the good stress or the bad stress?

It's been way too long since I posted a new blog entry. Sorry.

I've been consumed with getting ready for my first craft fair. Of course, I've been working very hard, not just getting stuff done that needs to get done, but designing, Actual, real life designing. Yes, I've ordered lots of photos, in paper, metal and canvas. But I've also had to create a booth. And a booth isn't just something that goes into a space I've paid for. I'm way beyond a sign and some tables.

I've put deep thought (and deeeeeep internet searching) into my table, walls, rugs, art bins, signs, price tags, giveaways, bags, brochures, and all the way down to the kind of pens I'll be using. As a creator and builder of brands, I'm creating a brand new brand – for me. Design by Kristian Gustafson will have a physical manifestation as a seller of photography. I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed to screw this up.

Somewhat cleverly, I've now utilized my company's alternate brand mark for my photo business. Not so cleverly, it's called "Photography by Kristian Gustafson."

But I'll also be hammering on what will become the real brand. Not me, nor my unwieldy name, nor some silly tiki symbol. The phrase "Hidden New Hampshire" will be very prevalent in my little booth, because that idea has legs. I think it has a chance to be remembered, show after show, by the "craft fair crowd". Also, I am quite aware how difficult it probably is for folks to recall my actual name.

So, despite all the coordination, planning, and shopping (!) that has gone into my product, booth and brand creation, I'm still feeling pretty good. Of course, for all my preparation, I sure as heck can't anticipate what I will have done poorly (or well), when my first show ends and I reflect back. My motivation is keeping me searching for the perfect approach, which of course, I cannot achieve. As a wise friend of mine once said after a new venture, "We didn't know what we didn't know."

Also, did you know there are two "stresses?"
There's distress, of course. But, also its happy brother eustress.

Eustress is the good stress that motivates you to continue working. Stress can be a motivater and provide incentive to get the job done. This "good stress" is what eustress can be identified as and some people enjoy it. Everyone needs a little bit of stress in their life in order to continue to be happy, motivated, challenged and productive.

(from Brock University's website) 

See you here later for the post-mortem!