Jane Pollak Logo
jane-pollak-coaching-retreat

Aug 22, 2018

I’m a Terrible Learner….

Sneak preview of Chapter 12 illustration.

…when I’m alone. I loved school and still thrive in an environment surrounded by others, especially a patient instructor. But, left to my own devices, learning at home without an instructor, I revert to infancy. I want someone standing over my shoulder directing me, correcting my missteps as I inch along, and congratulating me when I finally get it right. I want to quit, pay someone else to do it and rant that IT’S NOT FAIR!

Tantrum over.

Today my task is to send the jpegs of illustrations for my memoir to the publisher as links, i.e. not embedded images in a document. See? Not that easy, right? I’ve had to go back to the fiverr.com site, trace my orders – this should be easier than it proved to be–then copy and paste the links the artist sent me in numerical order and with the name of the picture next to each link to describe what image it is and where it will be inserted.

It’s taken me awhile (a good 15 minutes) to sort this out, arrange the bulleted list and be sure the numbers match up to my chapter heads. I’m someone who does better with hard copy than virtual links. I want to touch the pages, sort and arrange them, then go back and doublecheck that they match up.

But I live in the 21st Century and I want to continue to dwell in this digital world of ours. So I took a breath, did some positive self-talk and am now almost finished with the assignment.

I wanted to tell you about it (even before I completed it because I’m that desperate for affirmation). Embarrassing, right? I also feel pretty smug that I FIGURED IT OUT BY MYSELF. It’s challenging to hold these two disparate emotions and beliefs. If you’re anything like me and understand this craziness, thank you for understanding.

Any kind words would be greatly appreciated.

A Possible Comment Tag Line Here

8 Comments

  1. Gail Marlene Schwartz

    GO JANE! I so relate to this post. Happy that you made progress…so much sweeter when the resistance is so strong. Looking forward to reading your book.

    Reply
    • Jane Pollak

      @Gail – Getting closer! Thanks for your support.

      Reply
  2. Susan Beallor-Snyder

    Hi Jane. I can relate. I spend much of my day sizing re sizing and making image lists. I was just thinking as I am creating yet another image list that as organized as I am there must be a more organized system I can create. However, once you are published and need to send images to the press etc you will want to have some files of your images and an image list that you can cut and paste easily into the new documents going out. Keep editable files in addition to your pdf’s so you can cut and paste elements from one to another easily. Congratulations !! Keep on trucking. ?

    Reply
    • Jane Pollak

      @Susan – Yes! You definitely know that pain. Once I climb the learning curve, I’m okay, but I’m a mess before I begin the ascent–mostly fear that I won’t know what I’m doing.

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth Cottrell

    If I could be paid for every hour I’ve spent doing exactly the kind of thing you describe, I’d be a lot wealthier today in terms of income. But oh, the things I’ve learned! Who can put a value on that? 🙂

    Reply
    • Jane Pollak

      @Elizabeth I believe we need a gigantic virtual water cooler for us to hang out at and give voice to these frustrations, then go back to work feeling seen and understood. That’s what I miss most about being a home-based business.

      Reply
  4. Alice Hayes

    Hi, Jane
    I relate!
    I just managed to submit an electronic entry of a photo of my painting into a juried art show. It went through, apparently!!
    Will it be accepted, especially in this format? I’ll find out next week. ?Never did this before.
    Also a while back you were looking for books we were reading. I have a wonderful one, which you would like, if you haven’t heard about it. It is “Looking at Mindfulness, Twenty-five ways to live in the moment through art” by Christophe Andre. I think it is right up your alley!

    Reply
    • Jane Pollak

      @Alice – Bravo to you. Did you get accepted?! These are real challenges, and I’m so proud of my friends who step up and figure them out. Thanks for the book rec. I will order it this week.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

A GIFT FOR YOU

Want more inspiration?

Subscribe to Jane’s newsletter and receive a copy of her free report, 7 Evergreen Strategies from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur – aka Artist

You have Successfully Subscribed!