My husband and I attended an estate sale. The gentleman was an architect and he was getting rid of his flat files. He was selling them for a ridiculously low price, so we bought all four. That’s twenty drawers of amazing storage. We plan to install them in our studio this weekend.
The one challenge we have is the colors – blue and brown. Not the most creative colors and flat files are not easy to maneuver, so the idea I had to paint them at first seemed very daunting. How to get them changed to a color we wanted to see everyday in the studio? I am a firm believer that paint can cover a multitude of sins. Here you see the handles being prepared for paint. It was easier to tape the forty handles than to take them off and put them back on. It didn’t take long, and before I knew it I was painting madly and covering the bland with the bright.
When we first brought the files home I pondered and pondered about how to paint them. It’s a lot of work, and I wasn’t sure I had the energy to do it. I can’t lift them alone. So I went through all the options and obstacles in my head and landed on spray paint. We discussed the handles – remove them, tape them – what would be easiest? As I sprayed the color of choice I thought about the worst part of painting, the prep work. I’ve learned over the years that the end result is superior when the surface has been prepared to receive the paint. So I spent the time preparing everything. Clearing the space, putting down tarps, moving things out of the space, taping what didn’t need to be painted. It is important work but work I would avoid if I could. After using half the cans I bought I had a solid second coat on everything, tomorrow will be the final coat.
As I painted I thought about the obstacles I have created over the years in my head purely because I dreaded something. I thought about how many times I jumped into things as a result of my own enthusiasm and avoided preparing anything. I like being extemporaneous and impulsive and having to prepare can spoil the fun, or so I thought. The years have taught me that taking the time to clean and prepare makes things go better than expected. It may not be fun, but it makes all the difference. As I sprayed each handle I thanked myself for being diligent to prepare, and smart about planning ahead.
So what are you being prepared for right now? What are you experiencing that you might not enjoy right now BUT is important for you to be successful in the future? Maybe what you are going through now is the foundation for your bright future? It may not be glamorous or exciting, yet without it you will not be ready for the beauty to come. Don’t let the things you dread prevent you from being prepared for your own future. Let go of your self created obstacles or obstinance and enjoy the process. What you learn and do today will set you up for success in the future. A job well done starts well ahead of actually doing the job.
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