Tag: Media Conversion

Grace & Making Progress

I thought of all of the lists and ideas I could share with you about those photo projects that we can do while practicing social distancing right now but the reality to me is that the shift in routine is not like any of us can anticipate.  I don’t have an abundance of “extra time” but it is more of a shift in the time and places I spend it – some things are harder as we navigate them remotely, some are just different.  I imagine each of you may be like me as we let a bit of the dust settle while we figure this out.  I want to take a minute and remind you it is OK to not have the perfect picture to this time, it is a time to extend yourself some grace as well as those people around you, those you do business with and even those who are making decisions about schools, businesses and offices.  We are all trying to figure this out together and it is likely going to be a bit bumpy.

My best advice as we figure this out together, keep the things you can as normal as possible while taking advantage of these changes to make a little progress somewhere you wouldn’t normally be able to.  Don’t set too high of an expectation of what you will accomplish but strive to make the best of this time.  For me, the last few days of working from home have allowed me to spend time with my Write the Word journal a bit more, keep the laundry going a bit better without forgetting it in the washer or dryer, take a short walk each day, cook more meals at home, talk to a few friends by phone and help a few customers & team members who are working on photo projects.  I am making progress on my full time work projects too and making lists of other things I need to do when we are able to meet together in person again.  Things are moving forward, a bit slower than expected but it is OK there is still progress and I am thankful each day for my health and the ability to keep these things moving forward.

From my photo business side,  I like many of you am having to weigh whether or not to keep events on the calendar and how best to support my customers and team members.  I want you to know that for now I am not making any determinations about my Photo Fun Day Events in April or beyond but will evaluate those starting next week and we will adjust if needed.  I know we will all be anxious to be together again soon and when it is appropriate to do that I want to be ready and able to provide a place for us to reconnect in person.  In the mean time, I want to share that I am opening up some times where we can do a video/screen sharing type event to ask questions and share information on both Creative Memories and Forever projects.  I am anticipating offering two types of events virtually: 1) Office Hours will be a time when I am available online (video conferencing if possible) to connect with you on any photo questions or topics you might like to chat about.  This will be a pop on and off type event and will likely be 1 hour at a time 2) Mini Workshop or Class type events which are more topic based and will be more of a demo and then Q/A time at the end.

As I determine times and topics, I would love to hear from you what you are most interested in and when it would be most helpful to join.   This is with the thought of the next 2 weeks where many schedules are cleared and many are home more than usual.  I realize that your availability may shift but I want to offer this at a time that is best for this season we are in.

When would you most likely pop on a call if I offered it during these times? Please check 2-3 that are ideal for you in this season.(required)

What topics would you be interested for the Mini Workshop/Class type events? Here are a few ideas I have but if you have others, pop them in the next comment area.

Both Forever and Creative Memories stay committed to being open as long as they are able to without interruptions and providing us with the products and services we need for our photos now and well after this season is behind us.  You can visit my website like for each of these companies with latest specials and status or reach out to me directly anytime.

Creative Memories: https://www.creativememories.com/user/ElizabethGoodson

Forever: https://www.forever.com/ambassador/elizabethgoodson

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out through phone, text, e-mail or comments on any of my posts.

Time – what will you do this week?

The last couple of weeks have been hectic for me with an amazing retreat last weekend and then the reality that many of those in my office may need to shift to a work from home approach for several weeks so we can maintain the highest level of service and safety of our staff and community in the coming weeks.  I am sure I am not alone in feeling like this feels a bit weird but we will continue to do the things we can as we adjust other aspects of life being different than usual.

First, let me share a brief update about the great time we had in Hillsborough last weekend.  We had 9 of us in attendance at a unique retreat house that was designed with crafters in mind.  We had large tables, comfy chairs and good lighting to work on our projects whether they be traditional scrapbook pages or work on the computer for photo organization or digital photo project creation.  Our sleeping space and working area were all under one roof which was great for our group.  We did a Card Class break-out using the Creative Memories Just Saying Card Kit.  Each participant created 6 cards and got to experience just how easy it is to do our card kits.  We also did a Project Recipe with the Magic Awaits Creative Memories kit in both traditional and digital and discovered how versatile this pack of products is even if you aren’t going to a theme park.  Each participant also got a Forever Gift Certificate to use on any item they wished.  Some uses of this gift certificate were – printing photos, ordering permanent storage, ordering a Media Conversion Box, getting Forever Artisan and then there is always our beautiful Forever Digital Art.  Forever really has something for everyone.  There were also a few goodies for attending that included non-photo project surprises.  As with any of our retreats, there was plenty of yummy and comforting food to enjoy and keep you fueled through the days.  I know that each of the attendees will join me in looking forward to our next time in Hillsborough.  If you are interested in joining us next time, be sure to Save the Date – October 9-11 .  More details will be coming later this summer.  As with this event, I expect the October one will sell out quickly so be sure to jump on registration as soon as it is opened.

As I returned from the retreat, it has been a bit of a whirlwind as we absorbed the ever changing news about the spread of the COVID-19.  I am sure you are like me and having to react to an adjustment of our routines as many of our commitments and schedules are shifted.  Although there is a lot of uncertainty, I am reminded that there are many things I can do at home that I haven’t had “time” to do recently.  Some of you will be dealing with entertaining others in your household while some of you will find yourself with lots of time to yourself.  Here are a few of the things I plan to do with my change in routine:

  • Instead of commuting every day to work, I am am hoping to get a walk in more often and enjoy some of these warmer spring like days.
  • On the days I am home working, I am hoping to eat a few healthier lunches rather than picking up something out.
  • I also plan to be intentional about what small businesses I can still support during this time and how to be intentional when I do get out or order for shipment to my house.
  • There are also many projects I have at home – cleaning out that bathroom cabinet, sorting that pile of old clothes that need to be donated, determining what supplies I need for the yard so I can freshen up the flower beds are just a few.

What projects are on your list, what projects can you do with your family during this time?  Are photo projects on your list?  This is a great time to gather photos and media for a media conversion box, a great time to spend 15 minutes a day working on organizing a few of your digital images with your Forever account or pull out that traditional project and spread it out and see where you left off, what you need to finish, etc.  It is also a great time to go back and read a few of my recent posts here on my blog about how to get started with a photo project with a Little by Little approach.

Remember that I am here to help you with those photo projects when you are ready.  We can video chat or talk by phone during this time with any questions.  I am also planning on doing some screen sharing events in the evenings where I can show you how to use your Forever Account or Artisan in new ways while answering questions you may have.  Have kids that take photos on their phones that are stuck at home, we can teach them about this too and make that time on their phones a bit more productive too.

For now both Forever and Creative Memories are still open and operating their facilities so we can place orders and send media conversion orders to them.  If this changes it will be posted on their websites but for now, there are many things we can do keep those projects going that we have already started or plan ahead for what we may want to do next.  I would love to hear what you are doing over on our Facebook Page where others can be encouraged and inspired too.

I look forward to our time to gather in person again but until then, let’s encourage each other virtually through the technology that we have at our fingertips.