Folks,
There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes here; work that doesn’t really have a direct connection to making and shipping your orders. For example: for every new item I release, I have to:
Create the listing page on our web store; assemble a demonstration build; take and post pictures to the listing page; write up the new releases post; share it to our Face Book page; make production blanks; pour a production mold(s); make a mold storage box; make a box for the production blanks; put both the molds and blanks away; make an instruction sheet (if necessary); make packing headers for dealer sale; create a file folder on the computer; then save the description, instructions and pictures to that folder.
Oh! I forgot. Then I need to email the list of new items to my dealers and, if I can find time, to the various modeling DG’s out there.
The primary problem is, this all takes a lot of time. Usually, it takes more time than I have, especially when I have set out an ambitious release schedule for myself. Consequently, things start to pile up on me. Right now, I have several production molds that still need to be made; a couple dozen mold and production blank storage boxes; a host of packing headers and the computer folders for everything I have released in the past three months that still need to be done. And this is just a partial list of the things I have been putting off.
Well, this time, instead of waiting too long and letting this stuff become a crisis, I am going to try to learn from the past and stop for a week so I can do what needs to be done.
So, this next week (May 8-12), I will not worry about working on new masters. Instead, I will ship orders and focus the rest of my time on completing the chores I have been ignoring. Not only should this keep things running smoother here (which will mean your orders get shipped faster), but it will help me keep a better attitude. Right now, my moral is also a problem. I’m not handling the global insanity as well as I suppose I should, and I need to keep from becoming apathetic. So, instead of worrying about the things I can’t control, I am going to do what I can to make sure the things I can control do not become more of a problem than they otherwise need to be. I’ll just trust the rest to the Lord.
As for each of you out there: I pray you will do whatever you think best to take care of yourself. I just ask that, in the process, you try to be charitable to all. People who stay home may have good reason to do so, but so do those who need to go back to work. I can’t believe that those in either of these two groups are intentionally trying to harm the other. I think we all just have different areas of concern. So, please, understand that we are all worried, but our worry is no more valid than the worry of others. Instead of just assuming people don’t care, try to extend grace and understanding to others who may have different concerns. Just don’t let this thing turn us against each other. Please.
–Joe