5 Things to know BEFORE signing a contract

If you've recently entered into the world of contracts, there are a few important things you should know. Contracts are agreements between 2 parties.  Business to business, business to individual, individual to individual.  We enter into contracts regularly when we purchase a home, have air conditioning installed by a professional, hire an exterminator.  Businesses enter into them when they hire themselves out to clients or when they have business with another company.

The following are tips that I have learned to protect myself.  They are to protect YOU when you are not the initiator of the contract.

1. Most importantly, when someone hands you a contract to sign, they are more than likely protecting themselves.  You need to add language or have a separate contract to protect yourself.

2. READ the contract.  Yes, read all the fine print and dull, confusing language.  It's there for a reason.  And it's probably not to protect you, but to protect the interests of the company.  (When I went skiing, I was asked to sign a release of liability contract releasing the ski rental company from any negligence. The risk was all mine.) 

3. What you don't understand, ASK.  If someone asks you to sign a contract, that person should know enough to explain what you are signing. If you don't understand it or it's not explained clearly, don't sign.  If you have a question that the rep cannot answer, ask them to call their supervisor.

4. But don't stop there.  Make sure that what they are telling you is actually in the contract.  Ask, "Where is that written?" Many years ago, a rep told me something that turned out not to be true.  I confirmed several times and the rep verbally repeated his promise but it wasn't in the contract.  However, in the county where I live, verbal agreements must be upheld.  So the company was made to fulfill their promise. (Check for state and county laws like this in your area.)

5. Do NOT cave into pressure. Time pressure, "This offer is only good until 8:00pm tonight." If you're uncomfortable, don't sign.  Wait.  Think about it. My dad used to say, "There always another car."  Meaning, another great deal, another beautiful car, another house for sale.

Do I do this myself?  Yes!  I've bought and purchased several homes and always read the bjillion pages of the contract.  I do NOT sign anything I do not understand.  I do NOT sign anything when someone says, "Sign here.  We'll fill in the information later."  No, no you will not.  You'll do it now or I'm not signing. 

Not that you'll ever have the expertise of a lawyer, but you can become savvy enough to know when you're unprotected.

Here is more detailed and useful information on reading contracts:

https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/how-to-read-a-contract-2/?campaign_label=etsy_success&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=etsy_success_052313_5845675542_0&utm_medium=email&email_sent=1369346641&euid=fPA1V5YrfTO0hgdLkrdW8fWtV-3X

Disclaimer:
This information is for educational and informational purposes only. The content should not be construed as legal advice. The author disclaim all responsibility for any and all losses, damages, or causes of action that may arise or be connected with the use of these materials. Please consult a licensed attorney in your area with specific legal questions or concerns.

Angela DiCicco
Angela's Artistic Bouquets
etsy.com/shop/angelasartistic

Don't shirk your business, but fit in PLAY time!

Over the last few months, my business has been very busy.  So busy that I have had little time for play.

I have recently come to realize that when this happens, I must get back to basics. I must continue to CREATE.  I mean make new things, work on new projects.

As I fill orders and focus (like I believe someone who owns a business needs to focus) I realize that I am getting into an unhappy rut.

And what do I have to be unhappy about?  I work from home, have a wonderful husband who supports my endeavor, love what I do. 

But creative people must be creative!  And when I'm hyper-focused on getting orders out to the exclusion of channeling my creative juices, I become stuck.

And I've been stuck.  How do I know this?  Because I don't look forward to the new day.  Because I don't rush to go to my office.  Because I dread filling my next order.

So I backtrack.  I give myself time to play.  Schedule it in.  Plan it.  Be spontaneous as an idea comes up. 

The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron suggests scheduling an "artist's date" once a week.  And I've been slacking! 

So, this week I entered a nautical craft contest using 4 different kinds of ribbon.  I challenged myself and it was fun!  Today I found several crocheted doilies and thought, "What can I do with these besides resell them?"  Pinterest to the rescue!  I can make scarves, attach them to tops, jean jackets.  Now my biggest concern is narrowing it down to one idea!

I'm back to being ambitious, back to being joy-filled.  Back to being EXCITED!  And when all of these things happen, I can FLY through my orders as I look forward to my next exciting new project.

Creators - never stop creating!  It's in our blood and to stop creating, even for a short time, stops the fresh flow of ideas that makes us who we are!  

So, what fresh ideas will you allow yourself this week? 

Angela DiCicco
Angela's Artistic Bouquets               

etsy.com/shop/angelasartistic

Checking in with our New Year Resolutions

Most of us, with the best intentions, create New Year's Resolutions.  In the New Age philosophy, you carry the wave of the freshness of the New Year through the first week or so.

I find that goal setting makes me nervous.  Sets me up for failure.  Oh, I know I have to have some daily goals and lifetime goals to reach for.  But in between those 2, having to make $300/day as a goal stresses me out!

It also leaves no wiggle room for what may delight me or what the universe wants to bring into my life!

And what about a string of days where I don't meet my $300/day goal?  Am I a failure?

No.  What works for me is to have general goals, affirm them daily and let go of the outcome.

Instead of New Year's Resolutions, I come up with a theme for the year.  One year my theme was Spirituality and that was my focus.  I attended as many Spiritual opportunities as I could including new churches, drum circles, mediation sessions.  Whatever spoke Spiritual to me that year, I dove into.

Another year my theme was Abundance.  I looked for abundance in all things that year and acknowledged its presence in my life, whether it be finding a dime on the street, a dinner someone made for me or a sale.

Last year  I focused on Serenity.  When I found myself out of balance, I reminded myself to do whatever I needed to do to return me to center and serenity. 

This year I have 2 themes, Prosperity and Tranquility.

 Wikipedia defines prosperity as: the state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune and / or successful social status. Prosperity often encompasses wealth but also includes others factors which are independent of wealth to varying degrees, such as happiness and health.

Tranquility is defined as:  quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; serenity n.

So, checking in daily to keep myself on track with my 2 focuses this year.

How are your New Year's resolutions going?

Angela

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelasArtistic