15 Minute Challenge - How to Say It

My mantra since last Friday has been just hang on, once this week is over life will slow down.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure my grip is going to hold out.  I woke up with a killer headache this morning, I'm hoping the Advil will knock it back to bearable so I end up with more than gibberish in this post.  Which should be all about finding 15 precious minutes each day to sew,  



as well as, exploring March's fostering creativity theme of "talk about your quilting".  Most of us don't have a problem talking about our quilting, for most of us it's the reason our blogs came into existence.  We want to share our newest projects with people who appreciate the effort and maybe get some feedback or get help with a problem we are having (or think we have).  How do you ask for feedback, otherwise known as constructive criticism?  Here's a few suggestions:

• Be honest with yourself about why you are asking for feedback. Are you looking for validation (ego stroking) or do you really desire input?  There is nothing wrong with wanting your ego stroked.  Just think about which you really want and write your post with that goal in mind.  
• Think about the audience from which you want feedback.  If you don't want input from the entire blog sphere, you can get email contacts from most blog profiles and just use email notes to a few trusted or knowledgeable individuals.  Choose at least 3 critics.  If you hear the same thought from two of the three, there may be some validity to the point. 
• Design the feedback process.  What kind of feedback do you want?  Do you want an overall critique or do you just want some input on a specific part?  Are you comfortable with having people comment on the blog post or would you be more comfortable with a critique that was sent directly to your email?  
• Acknowledge and deal with the emotional side of getting feedback.  Don't act on any feedback for a couple of days (that includes holding off on any emails you might be tempted to send).  Some feedback, can hurt, even though that wasn't the intention of the giver.  Give yourself some time to work through the hurt and try to reach a point where you can be objective about the feedback.  
• Consult the most important critic, yourself.  Sort through the feedback for what is the most useful to you.  No matter how valid a criticism is, if it conflicts with your vision of the project or the goal in question, feel free to ignore it.  In the end you have to decide what works for you.  

A Google search will net you a whole list of resources.  Here are two I found particularly helpful:

• How to Ask for Feedback (Without it Blowing Up in Your Face)
• Ten Ways to Request and Receive Constructive Criticism

Finding creative time within the framework of last week's schedule proved to be a bit more difficult than I anticipated.  

There were only 4 days last week where I managed to find at least 15 minutes to sew or embroidery.  That's my worst showing for 2013.  However, last week really was a zoo.  Wednesday I had to work late, while Saturday was taken up with volleyball.  Last night Drama Teen had two volleyball practices and by the time I got home, I was just beat.  Hopefully this week will be more more productive.  

So how did you manage your time this week?  Did you fit in some stitching here and there?  Or did your life, like mine, pretty much take over?  

1. Thea 2. Lesley A 3. Marti

4. Amanda 5. Susanne 6. Julie in GA

7. Kate

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.