A Kangaroo. In The Lush Paddock Grass.
Woody Allen is credited with saying that 80% of success in life is showing up.
And he’s right.
In everything we do, it’s important to show up.
When me and my partner, Victor Pleshev, the architect who designed the Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover for his mother. To help her with her ironing when she was recovering from a stroke. Lost everything in Paul Keating’s 1992 ‘recession we had to have’, we had choices.
One was to grieve. And do nothing.
One was to make the decision to start anew. And reinvent ourselves. By escaping the city lights of Balmain NSW. For the rural life in the Central Tablelands of NSW.
Where.
Given our level of poverty after losing everything. We could afford to live.
We were poor as church mice. With barely two cents to rub between us.
And every day since then, we make sure we show up.
For 14 years, we travelled 60,000 kilometres every year. Going to field days. Home shows. Agricultural shows. Bridal fairs. Anywhere Victor could set up a microphone for me. So I could ‘spruik’ the virtues of the Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover to anyone who would listen.
We contacted the media with our story about how we built a worldwide business from broke. This story has been featured in every major publication in Australia.
I’ve been on radio. TV. Featured in two books on business. And will be in a third book come June this year.
We now have close to 400,000 customers. In 29 countries.
All because.
We show up.
When Victor’s mother died suddenly in 2014 at age 87. We chose not to rent the house he designed and built for her to live in since 2001 – to a permanent tenant. I don’t like sharing my rural solitude with anyone.
But to turn it into a guest house on our property called Meadow House Getaway. Keeping all her beautiful possessions intact. Including her Wedgewood china. Stuart crystal. Elegant furniture.
Being remote, it was hard to get our first guest. But 30 months later, we get bookings all year long. And have bookings through to New Year’s Day 2017.
Because we put in the effort to show up. And create a clientele.
The Hills. Close Up.
Every morning at sunrise, 7 days a week, I take my camera and go for a walk on my beautiful 54 hectare property in the picturesque Central Tablelands of NSW.
And Monday through Saturday, I post one photo a day from that walk to my social media accounts on Facebook. Google+. And Instagram. Links to these accounts are at the very bottom of this post.
This morning was particularly beautiful. The sky pre sunrise was almost aqua in the east. Vibrant blue in the north. Muted multicolours ranging from ochre to teal in the south. And teal with soft russet overtones in the west.
Every where I turned, there was a photo opportunity. When I came back, I had over 250 photos on my digital camera.
All I had to do to get these captivating photos was – ‘show up’!
There’s nothing hard about that.
I will add that the other 20% of success is doing the work you need to do.
Once you show up.
Showing up. And just thinking. Or procrastinating. Gets you no where.
But having made the effort to show up.
Do the deeds.
Write the blogpost.
Contact the media.
Book the events to attend.
This pertains to everything in life.
Show up. And. Be there. For your children. Your friends. Your partner. Your neighbour. When they need you.
Do the best work you can for whoever hires you. And pays you.
And show up for yourself.
Lose the excess weight you might be carrying.
Exercise more.
Pamper yourself when necessary.
If 80% of success in your life depends on you simply showing up, why wouldn’t you?
Once you’re there. Believe me. The other 20% is easier than you think.
All the photos today. Were taken this morning.
Your thoughts? Email me at the bottom of this post.
~Carol Jones, Ironing Diva❤
PS. This Ironing Diva’s iron. Ironing Board. And Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover. Are my gateway to leading an elegant life. There is power in the iron. The ‘Joy Of Ironing’ is far from a myth. Beautifully pressed garments. Make a statement about who you are. When you’re well pressed. And well dressed. You ooze elegance. Beautifully pressed linen. Cloth napkins. Tea towels. Pillow cases. Make your home shimmer with style.
PPS. I am not only an Ironing Diva. But as one friend says, I am ‘The Queen’ when it comes to ironing.
I Am The Purveyor Of The Tantrum Free Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover And Other Goodies
Made with love and care in RURAL Australia by men and women who have a disability.
It’s not for everyone.
But it’s definitely for you if you’re fussy about the cover you iron on.
And if you love to support Australian made.
And want to put something back into the community when you make a purchase.
The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover cover has more than 350,000 customers in 29 countries. Because it lives up to its name. It ‘Fitz Like A Glove™’ every time you iron.
And these are the ‘Other Goodies’
Like this post? Share it with your family and friends on . . .
Facebook.
Google+.
LinkedIn.
The share button is at the end of this post.
Have a question? Email me at the bottom of this post.
Or phone me, Carol Jones, in rural Australia on 02 63 588 511.
Photos of my rural property are courtesy of me, Ironing Diva – who is also known as Paddock Paparazzi – and taken at sunrise every morning.
Kangaroos. Eyes On Me.
PS. And I have a fabulous newsletter ‘A Smidgen Of Gossip’. This is what a subscriber says about it. “Carol. Just had some time to read it and found that it is, as with everything you do, rather wonderful. A great read. W” You can subscribe to it by clicking this link. It’s FREE! This is not a lifetime commitment. You can Unsubscribe at any time. Don’t miss out. Click this link now!
A Crimson Rosella Fledgling. In A Lombardy Poplar.
