My Corner Online

The Fun Extras - Set Ten

182. Questions Focus Our Thinking - Is your Layout Done?

I am really enjoying QuotationsBook.com (site now closed). Not only is it great for finding quotes for my pages, but it is great for feeding my never ceasing need to analyze things.

I found this quote tonight and wondered how it would relate to digital scrapbooking.

"Questions focus our thinking. Ask empowering questions like: What's good about this? What's not perfect about it yet? What am I going to do next time? How can I do this and have fun doing it?" - Connolly, Charles

How often do we wish that 3 year old would quit asking "Why?" Questions can be both healthy and unhealthy, but we always learn from them.

When I finish a layout, it just plain 'ol feels good. I am often returning to it to look at what I created again and again. Do you ever do that? It just brings a sense of accomplishment.

Often, okay, almost always, just as soon as I think I am done, I see one more thing I want to change.

Sometimes, I am not happy with my layouts and need to let them set for a while and come back to them with a clear mind.

Sometimes, in the words of Glenda Ketchum, I just need to say "Self, it's done. The memory is preserved."

Is it wrong to set back and study my final product and ask what is good about it? Is it wrong to try to make it so perfect? Is it wrong to strive for the best?

I would suggest that there is no right or wrong answer, but rather a fine line. It is a good thing to ask questions and strive to be our best when creating layouts, that is how we grow and learn. However, once we cross over the tracks into the land of stress, we are no longer just preserving memories for future generations, but being a detriment to our health and the health of our family. Those tracks into the land of stress are going to be at a different location for each person.

"How can I do this and have fun doing it?" Mr Connelly asks. When our layouts come to the point that they are no longer fun, but rather a struggle and stress as we try for perfection or strive to keep up, we have crossed the line.

Are you in a scrapping slump? Have you hit a big brick inspiration wall? Empower yourself with Mr. Connelly's questions and analyze your goals. Drag out your last layouts and look at them as you ask each of his questions. Bring focus back into your scrapping by asking questions.

I would suggest asking one last question, that being: "What good am I doing?" (not just what is good about your layout.) Are you doing yourself good? Are you doing your children good? Are you doing your children's children good? Are you doing God good? Is it pleasing to Him? If not, take a moment to refocus your goals and hop back on the train to Memoryville.

8/15/2007