With week six here I’m starting to feel a bit like a broken record. I just don’t have a lot to share since last week. In fact, I’m actually writing this from a hotel room in Chicago crossing my fingers that I’ll arrive home tomorrow to box upon box of the remaining items and 130 yards of custom draperies complete. Fingers crossed.
In all the years that I’ve participated in the ORC I’ve never been this far behind, or had this many delays that are totally out of my control happen. So what have I learned?
First, create a game plan well in advance of your due date. I’m known for procrastinating. I’ve convinced myself for years that I do best under pressure, and love burning the midnight oil. But that’s complete crap. Procrastination does nothing for me except stress me the hell out. And procrastination only works when the only part of the puzzle is you. But when you have to depend on PR firms, designers, and factories procrastination just doesn’t work. A good rule of thumb is 6-8 weeks ahead of your design due date, but if there’s any custom work than plan for 12 weeks out to be on the safe side.
Second, control what you can control and let go of the rest. This has been a message that has been drilled into my head this past month. Is everything I do at WOM important; of course it is. But, at the end of the day I’m not curing cancer. There are going to be delays out of my control, out of the vendors control, designers control, etc. It’s bound to happen. And if those delays are being felt in this ORC and not the past four I’ve been a part of then I should consider myself lucky! I mean last year I decorated two full apartments in six weeks!!
Lastly, plan for a Plan B. While this may feel contrary to what I just said I’m a big believer in hoping for the best, yet preparing for the worst. Again, mistakes are bound to happen, it’s all about how you react to them. Don’t get frazzled, take a breath and get back on track or forge a new track. I have a feeling when next week rolls around you’re going to see my Plan B/New Track path in action.
Anyway, that’s where I’m at. It may not be pretty, but it’s truthful. I will however be sharing lots of behind the scenes snaps tomorrow, when I’m finally home, and please do click through below to check out the rest of my participants. I guarantee they have more interesting news to share than I. Truly, MKR
