I just got finished loading my car with my ceramics (and all the other stuff that goes with it) for a show I am doing later this afternoon. I have a VERY long/narrow driveway, so there is no way for me to back my mini-van to the garage without damaging the side of the house or the sides of the car (not to mention the fence in the way which keeps the dogs contained). So, I have to haul the stuff out to the van on the street. To do so, I take great advantage of my friend Dolly. Dolly is my hand-truck which allows me to move everything more efficiently. Not only things I might not be able to lift and carry that distance, but she also cuts down the amount of trips.
Today, I was thinking about Dolly and how she really helps me leverage my work-load. And then I was thinking about other tools I use and the power of leverage. It’s really such a simple formula – finding or creating tools that make you more time efficient or lessen your burden. Dolly certainly does both.
In throwing pottery I use a lot of tools for leverage. The potter’s wheel alone is built on the concept of leverage. Before the motorized version, kick-wheels were used to quickly form vessels – which were also were a form of leverage. It’s much more efficient to bring back a jug of water from the stream than continuing to go down the hill every time you needed a drink of water.
Modern architecture is built on the early concepts of leverage. Where would we be without the wheel? I think still back in the Stone Age.
Writing blog articles, my eZine and doing shows are all a forms of leverage. The more I am “seen,” the more likely people are going to remember to purchase something from me when they need a gift or just a little pick-me-up for themselves.
In fact, I use so many forms of leverage in my everyday life; I find it hard to think of things that don’t use leverage. What tools do you use for leverage in your business?
© 2011 Heather C. Morrow. All rights reserved
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Heather C. Morrow, owner of Pottery Daily, helps emerging artists express their true value and get paid what they are worth. Her products and services show you how to make more money, save more time while enjoying the freedom in your art. For your FREE audio go to www.marketandsellyourart.com.