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When you have a vision for something and you execute that vision only to realize that what worked "on paper" did not work in "real life", do you hold tight to that vision or do you adapt?I had to make such a decision in regard to one of the necklaces I designed. After sketching out a necklace, picking out the fabrics and stones for it (the really fun part!) and then making the necklace, I loved how it came out (see photo below).
It looked great on, but it didn't feel completely comfortable around the neck. So, while the necklace was one of my favorites, I had to decide whether to stubbornly hold tight to my original vision or adapt.
Now, I know this decision isn't on the scale of deciding healthcare reform. But I find that these "smaller-scale" issues often reflect how we address or handle those "larger-scale" decisions.
Having always been skilled at changing course when necessary, I decided to adapt. I kept the lower section of the necklace that had the beautiful stone drops, but changed the neckline so 
that that section of the piece hung more comfortably around the neck. Check out the tweaked design to the right! To see the design on my web site, click here!
While I hated to give up the original design at first, I love the new one just as much. And I hope you do too!
Even more so, though, I hope when you're faced with a similar situation in life or in business, that you choose to adapt when the data tells you that you should. Because, to me, adapting is one of the keys to success in business and, more importantly, in life.
To adapting!
~ Rachel
I recently went to Shanghai by invitation of an acquaintance of my mom, Janie, to source materials for JaLa Designs. I found some absolutely amazing fabrics and lots of other neat things.
Among the many cultural differences between the U.S. and China is the act of bargaining (in fact, it's considered an insult if you don't!), and there's no better person at bargaining than my now friend, Janie. I would dare say, actually, that if you want to get a great deal on something in China, you should not go without bringing Janie along! Honestly, I've never seen anyone do it better.
Watching Janie in action made me start thinking of the various lessons one can learn from bargaining in Shanghai that apply to life, the ultimate lesson, to me, being...
You have to be willing to walk away and lose the deal...
Maybe this sounds extreme or bold, but think about it. Whenever we hold onto something too tightly, whether it's something in our professional or personal lives, we assign it too much power over us. We want it too badly. Subsequently, we don't really act like ourselves; we don't act relaxed and thus we usually (not always, but usually) don't end up getting the optimal result.
It's only when we reach the point of being willing to "walk away and lose the deal", when we detach ourselves from the outcome, that we, ultimately, achieve our optimal outcome.
JaLa is all about reminding you to be yourself. Know your value. Know that what I'm really saying is not that you actually have to walk away; you just have to know inside your mind that you would...because it's then that you feel free enough to be you and that the person you're dealing with really understands and is totally 'wowed' by your awesomeness.
JaLa doesn't bargain, but we are offering a special 25% off on our "Design of the Month" for July - http://twurl.nl/ms07ji. Just enter JULYPICK at checkout to redeem your discount!
Hurry up - it only lasts through July 31, 2009!
And don't walk away! (Sorry...couldn't resist!)
~ Rachel
My mom has an expression she uses often to describe the indescribable - "There are no words". And that's probably what I'd say if you asked me how much I loved my mom. Because there really are no words - or not enough words - to express how much I love her and how truly blessed I am to have her as a mom.
And it's not so much even the big moments in life - though there are many - that make up the reasons why I love her so much. It's the small ones, the little things that moms do, that only moms do.
It's the time when I was a child about to go to sleep-away camp for the first time. I was unusually nervous about going and I remember how, when my parents dropped me off at the pick-up spot, I realized that I forgot my favorite pillow at home. My mom raced home and back to bring it to me.
It's the time when my mom flew up to Boston in 2003 to help me move back to Atlanta - from helping me pack to sharing the long 17 hour drive to Atlanta so I wouldn't have to pay to ship my car back.
It's the time when she and I flew down to Florida for just one day to say good-bye to her childhood friend and my surrogate aunt who was dying of cancer. There truly are no words to describe how powerful that experience was in and of itself and how powerful it was for my mom and I to share together.
It's the time when my mom went with me this past February to the Tuscon Gem Show so that I could look for more materials for JaLa Designs. Not even a formal employee of JaLa Designs, my mom does so much to help me because she wants me to succeed so badly.
My mom is my greatest cheerleader. And I am so incredibly lucky to not only be able to call her mom, but also friend. A rare combination, indeed. I love my mom every day of the year. And Mother's Day is just one more day to tell her how much.
I would love to hear why you love your mom and how she's influenced you to be yourself. Please visit http://jaladesigns.blogspot.com/2009/04/enter-our-not-like-any-other-mother.html to enter JaLa's "Not Like Any Other Mother" Mother's Day Contest.
There's no catch. Really. Just the chance to brag about why your mom rocks and to win her something just as special as she is.
~ Rachel
If you’re like me, for Mother’s Day, you want to find that perfect gift that shows your mom just how much you love her and that makes her say “WOW” when she opens the box. In celebrating our mothers and the unique individuals they are, JaLa Designs is hosting its first “Not Like Any Other Mother” Mother’s Day Contest, where you can win the perfect Mother's Day gift!1st Prize: Any JaLa Designs piece of your choice (up to $165.00)
2nd Prize: A $50 gift certificate
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Participating is easy*. Here’s how (notice step #2 as it determines the winners!):1. Visit http://jala-designs.com/shop/joinmailinglist.php and enter your contact information. (We promise to never rent, sell or give out your contact information!)2. In the ‘Comments’ box, tell us what makes your mother different from any other. Or, tell us why you make a great mom! (Don't worry about spelling, grammar or writing a novel - just write from your heart!)
3. Click ‘Submit’.4. Tell all of your friends about our contest so that they can enter too!
** Deadline to enter is 12noon EST on May 6th. Participation is open to everyone inside & outside the United States!**
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The lucky winners (selected based on who enters the best story from step #2 above) will be announced May 7th! As a 'thank you' for entering, we're pleased to give all entrants a $20 gift certificate to JaLa Designs!^ Good luck!
~ Rachel
* No purchase required to participate.
^ To be given after end of contest. Excludes winners as they get the prizes!
