Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone and Inspiration Found

This is a follow up to my previous post on being successful.  I received more comments privately than on my blog, speaking to the differences between nature vs. nurture.  Thank you to all of you who responded letting me know it got you thinking!

Shortly afterwards, I read this blog post by Jasmine Star on the possibilities of being a successful photographer if you are not naturally outgoing.  I was surprised that Jasmine is introverted because her online personality is so extremely outgoing to the point that I have wondered if we would get along in person because I like quiet people.  I shy away from out-going people and I don't like being the focus of attention that is way out of my comfort zone.  But then I wondered what impression I create about myself and if I come across as outgoing.  Honestly, I prefer that same wallflower corner position she speaks of so I can watch others.  I don't mind being a contributor and will step up out of frustration into the position of leader when others in my group (whether it is PTA, work or kids' soccer) are slow to speak up.  I have also had to step outside my comfort shoes as I start my photography business to help others feel more comfortable in front of my camera and to achieve the photos I know will make them happy. 

Mint Julep

Here are some of the blogs/artists/people who inspire me to do better and who amaze me with their own personal successes and achievements in no particular order:

Stephanie of 50 Toes Photography - I just recently stumbled across her blog and am amazed with how she is grabbing control of her life and making changes to not only live/eat healthier, but to become happier with herself.  And not only that, but she is encouraging others to make healthier decisions and she arms them with facts.  She has lost over 60 pounds since she started making different choices.  Wow.  But it is more her humility and positivity for life that have drawn me in.  Her enthusiasm is catching.  I will be meeting her in person at the Blue Lily reunion workshop in a couple of weeks and I CANNOT WAIT!

Merlot Swirls

Lorelei is another one who amazes me.  In the book Outliers, the author talks about 10,000 hours being a magic number for mastering a skill and pretty much becoming an expert at whatever it is the person does.  I'm betting Lorelei has 10,000 hours under her belt for creating and designing jewelry as it seems to me that it comes so naturally to her now.  She has told me that she used to lay beads out on her table before stringing, but now she just reaches for beads and strings as she goes.  Without even really thinking, she just KNOWS what beads will look good together.  This girl has mad skillz.

Baby Pink Rings on Baby Blue

Jane has me in a perpetual state of awe with the number of things she accomplishes daily.  She is a Mom to three, she is a homeschooler, gardener and cook extraordinaire (oh my word, her recipes are THE best!) and still makes time to blog about all of her activities (I think she has taken canning to a phenomenal level) which makes me want to try all of the things she does, but I know there are not enough hours in my day.

Strawberry Swirls

Barbara Bechtel and Lori Anderson both gave up working for The Man to make beads and jewelry full-time.  While this is living my dream, this also sounds so scary to give up job security and health insurance.  I don't know many who have been able to do this, but I know there are more of you out there!  Either way, I am totally captivated by their blogs as Barbara shares details of an artist's life and Lori has awesome marketing ideas for branding and growing your own business.  I have learned so much from both!

Swirling Skies

My friend Rebecca endured years of physical/sexual/emotional abuse at the hands of her father and other men who her father passed her off to whenever he wanted.  Her journey in working through this in an effort to find peace and a normal life often leaves me in tears for what she went through and has overcome without repeating the cycle.  I am continually in awe of the strides she has made.  Rebecca is the bravest person I know.

Whispering Wind

Keirsten of Lune continually inspires me with her own curiosity of how things work and then setting out to master techniques that she teaches herself.  She is an intellectual with a self-deprecating sense of humor, yet simultaneously down-to-earth and unassuming.  I know I will always get an honest response when I ask for her opinion and value that because I know her answer will not be sugar-coated.  She has also been one of my champions in encouraging me to do more with both my beads and photography.

Lavender Seaglass

Mallory of For the Love of Beads is one of THE most positive people I know.  I love that she is always looking for the good and does a post on Fridays about Three Beautiful Things.  She has faced many struggles, the most recent would be watching her daughter overcome cancer (YAY Jenny for being confirmed cancer free!!!).  Yet she never has an unkind word to say and shares bits and pieces of her life, her family, her dog (I just love Pixie and want to grab her snout!) and of course her beads.  I had the pleasure of meeting Mallory in person at a Southern Flames (my local glass/lampworking society) meeting a couple of years ago and she is just as sweet in person.  If we lived closer, I would adopt her as my second mom.

Azure Reflections

So those are some of the folks who inspire me to be a better person, artist, photographer, friend, wife and mother.  Now for my follow-up two questions:

1) Do you step outside of your comfort zone to be more successful in pursuing your goals/dreams and how?

and

2) Who inspires you to be better in what you do and why?  If you include links, I will compile a blog hop for later!  I still go back to this one for a list of favorite blogs and Etsy shops.