One thing I’ve wanted to do for some time now is to focus on a specific set of graphic design services. I’m fairly well-known in my business networking circles for creating website specific (think headers, banners, ads, etc.) and social media graphics. I’m also known for website design using the WordPress platform. I find that lately, I feel unfocused and just taking what comes in, but I haven’t done much in the way of organizing my web home and making it easy for you to see what I do.
My friend Kelly hosts the Stretch Yourself Challenge every year. This is her 10th year doing so, and my 4th year participating. Every year, no matter my level of participation, I learn something new and get motivated. This year I’m using it to stretch outside of my comfort zone and shake things up in my graphic design business.
One thing I love about the Stretch Yourself Challenge is the community. I’ll be working with a group of amazing business owners in all stages of business and expertise to stretch beyond where we’re currently at. The support and friendly competition are great for gaining motivation and momentum. She also has several prizes I’m be working toward earning points for. Everybody can win something! I have my eyes on a couple of things specifically.
If you have a business, no matter what type of business it is, you should check it out. I’d love to have you join us and stretch with me.
I cannot wait to see what you come up with by focusing on something you really have the passion to do! I can already see the excitement in you just in the beginning days of this challenge. I cannot wait to see what happens!
Thank you! I am definitely excited.
Looking forward to your ‘reveal’ about your challenge(s) and how you’re stretching. It’s gonna be awesome for us all to get outside our comfort zones.
Thanks, Melissa! My next post was a big hint. Haha.
Love your picture for this post! It’s SOOO perfect for the topic. I love to see creative entrepreneurs find their true passion and really FOCUS on that. Good luck with the challenge. I expect to see great things!
Thank you, Teresa! The picture I used last time was a giraffe stretching to eat from a tree. This one is much more in my feelings from how this year’s challenge makes me feel.
We got this!
Excellent choice of image for this post – fits it so perfectly! And I’m so excited to have you shake things up and to be stretching out of your comfort zone. It’s time to shine lady 🙂 You got this!
Thank you, Tish! I think so, too. Definitely out of my comfort zone. But I think it was time. Woohoo!
Sometimes it’s necessary to shake things up a bit to see where it takes us – We are all cheering you on!! Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
Shaking things up is scary! Thank you for the cheers! We got this!
I love your graphic and now you’ve made me curious about what you ! Can’t wait for your reveal.
Thanks, Rosie! The next post was a big hint. Hopefully, I’ll have the next bit of info this weekend. Just need to finish a few tweaks. Eek!
Nice meeting a fellow challenger – I completely understand how sometimes you can feel “stuck” in your business – a challenge is a great way to shake things up and get out of the “blahs”, Good luck this month!
Nice to meet you, too, Meredith!
Definitely feeling stuck, but I know a lot of it is my own doing. I’ve been playing it safe. It’s time to step out of the comfort zone even if I throw up while I’m doing it.
Having known you for so long Shannon, I KNOW what a stretch it is for you to even say YES to the challenge. I’m tickled pink watching you take action and accept the invitation to try new things. You are shining lady!
I told Val I may have to just keep a bucket next to me to throw up when the anxiety gets to be too much, but I’m doing this thing! Ha!
Thank YOU, Kelly, for never giving up on me. <3
Shannon — congratulations on this being your 4th year to be in the Stretch Yourself Challenge. I especially love the graphic that you used to illustrate your post. That says it all! 🙂 Wish you the best as you tackle another challenge this year!
Thank you, Tara! I’m excited to see what I can accomplish this month.
I am enjoying stretching with you this year! I am looking forward to see the amazing work you are doing!
Thank you! It’s nice to meet you. I love that this challenge brings new like-minded people into my world.
Like your choice of image so beautifully suggests one little Stretch is all it sometimes takes to make the leap towards everything you desire!
Thank you, Joyce! I’m finally ready to leap!
Good for you … and good for all of us … for choosing to deliberately stretch our business-selves. See ya at the finish line!
See you there! I’m grateful to have an amazing community to stretch with.
This is the epitome of the SYC – you have a comfortable spot, you know how to rock your graphics BUT you are still taking a chance to push out further this month. Way to stretch Shannon! Good things are ahead, even if the leap seems scary.
Thank you, Jennifer! Definitely scary but leaping anyway. Keep stretching!
Well done on taking this challenge to redefine your business focus!
Thanks! Let’s stretch!
Eagerly looking forward to what you’re working on, Shannon! Happy for the companionship in the Stretch Yourself Challenge. The supportive energy is palpable!
Exciting stuff! We’re stretching!
This is exciting, Shannon! I, too, have a passion for design and I look forward to seeing how you shake things up in your design business during the Stretch Yourself Challenge!
30+ years! Started in high school. Not what I thought I was going to be when I grew up but here I am.
So glad to hear that you are taking on the Stretch Yourself Challenge to grow your business.
Thank you!
I can totally relate to the idea of just taking what comes in, but needing to instead make something more happen. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Yes! I’ve been stuck way too long. It’s time to grow.
Wow, four years of participating. That’s awesome! My first year of stretching myself, but definitely not my last. Cheering you on!
It’s addictive! They weren’t consecutive, and I had some major missing out feelings going on in between years.
It makes me so happy that you’re putting yourself out there. I know how hard it feels. But, girl you have such talent to share with the world! Yay you!
Thank you!
I often times get stuck and its often over the little things. That is another reason why this challenge is important. I read your other post about linked in. Way to stretch.
Yes! I tend to overcomplicate certain things. I’m learning to let go, though.
LinkedIn is new territory and scary! I posted and then stressed about somebody actually contacting me. Haha.
I love that photo you have with this post. It really captures how scary it can be to stretch out of your comfort zone and yet how beautiful.
Yes! Perfect description!
Looking forward to seeing how you shake things up for your biz.
Shaking, stretching, and shining!
I love the picture in the banner – what a great visual for the Stretch Challenge! Can’t wait to see what you create as you shake things up!! Glad to be in the Stretch community with you 🙂
Thanks, Renee! Stretching and shaking! We got this!