Aspiration

I've set to start a series of posts on words that resonate with my business and the way I conduct myself when confronted with them.

What does aspiration mean in a mindful world? Aspiration differs from ambition in the way we envision our future. Ambition seems ruthless and chaotic. Aspiring, on the other hand, is calm and studied. It differs in the perception others have of you as an individual – an aspirational person channels a sense of drive and realistic outlook while ambitious people tend to be seen in a different light, harsher and uncertain.

And when success comes, the effect it has on those that surround you (or those who look at your work) is also viewed in changing ways.

To ensure we channel the correct vibe, we need to analyze our goals and the course or steps we are taking to achieve them.

Choose to be the inspiration for others

The fire and desire you have inside can have a butterfly effect – humility and wellness can touch the world around you.

Study what the people you admire do. How they treat their friends, their followers, the people they interact with. But don't be naive and study those you dislike. Chances are within minutes you can find out the things that irk you. I have a running count of the things I know what not to do when I grow old – if I still have my wits about me, I have to ensure I don't become a couch potato, I have to avoid being the woman that pushes in front of a queue just because I'm old and “didn't notice”.

Likewise, I also write a list of things that I know I dislike in some people in social media and I attempt to always follow it. It's in this manner that I try to acknowledge comments and replies that have had an effect on me. Your comments count, and I aspire to let you know, somehow.

In the day to day running of my business, I know I admire those who keep good books – so I've tried to be better at my accounting. It's not quite there yet, but I hope the next tax year is better and I have less issues sorting everything out at the end!

I admire those who are seen in a professional light in their relationships with editors and collaborators. I aspire to replicate their behavior, be respectful and caring about their business. I ensure they get something out of their connection to me.

Will all of these things have a positive effect on myself and rock+purl's name? The way I see it, it can't be bad, right?

Some aspire to be on HORN (hot on ravelry now) list. Or have thousands of followers. I aspire to keep my following inspired and interested, and hope you like what I create. The other 2 are great perks and hope I get there someday – I work on the idea that by studying and applying the things I think are good, it'll get there in the end, and in the meantime I'll keep my growth steady, thank you very much.

Don't get me wrong, I am ambitious, but I also hope I am expressing it in an aspirational way, a way that makes sure I keep my feet in the ground, even if en pointe.

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If you think you'd like to see more of this kind of post or more on the knitty-gritty of knitwear, let me know?