Comments on: Quit being a hoarder!

By: Stephanie Watanabe

Stephanie Watanabe — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:36:10 +0000

Thanks for your thoughtful reply Natalie! I’m with you, I definitely hoard ideas at times and I think most of us, our of fear, probably hold onto a lot of things that would be better being released out into the world.
So glad you could relate – thanks again for being here!

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:55:19 +0000

Really cool post. I have to say, I was kind of surprised as based on your title, I was expecting an article on organization. I love that you found a whole new spin.
I can totally relate to this hoarding mentality. Sometimes being generous with my ideas and knowledge is difficult – in fact, I have found this coming up in my thoughts about what to give away to my list for free. I constantly find myself questioning – if I give this away for free now, does that exclude the possibility of me getting people to pay for it in a program later? I’ve also founding myself hoarding business ideas about new products and programs for fear that someone will get my idea and do it first. Ultimately, I know that neither of these mindsets is helpful for my success and it drives me crazy when I see other business owners do this. What you give is ultimately what you get. If you’re worried about someone stealing your ideas and hold them too tightly, they probably will …

By: Stephanie Watanabe

Stephanie Watanabe — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:30:20 +0000

Thanks for stopping by Diana ~ glad you enjoyed the post!

By: Stephanie Watanabe

Stephanie Watanabe — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:29:54 +0000

I love what you said about sending some virtual love. Because, don’t we all have similar fears? Of being copied. Of feeling irrelevant? It’s so true Marthe, thank you for shifting the perspective!
And p.s. I’m not gonna lie – I’m a total magazine hoarder (but you already probably knew that).
Thanks for commenting lovely!
xo

By: Diana Cachey

Diana Cachey — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:00:02 +0000

I love the idea of embracing your unique while knowing everyone else is unique too BUT you dont really have original thoughts…. clever and thought-provoking. I also tweeted you quote (and Ive got 54,000 followers so WOOOHoooo). xo Diana

By: Marthe

Marthe — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 05:51:15 +0000

Whoa, I really agree with you on that policy, it’s so clearly rooted in fear. But I guess we all hoard at some points in our lives, I think it’s built into our psyche as a protective mechanism, so I guess it won’t help to be hard on the shop owner, I’d like to send her/him some virtual love instead.

Personally, I hoard more physical things like magazines and handbags (who doesn’t? but I’ve also found myself hoarding when I had to divide up my home when my (now ex-)boyfriend left me.

I think the way to overcome hoarding is to realize it’s just things. It’s just ideas. And it’s not really about any of that. It’s about fear. And love. And life.

By: Stephanie Watanabe

Stephanie Watanabe — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:57:02 +0000

Thanks Kimberley! I’m glad it resonated with you. It’s nice to know there are others who understand the importance of sharing with love. xo

By: Kimberley

Kimberley — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:24:09 +0000

Absolutely spot on Stephanie! I also think that is a strange policy in a world where social proof and photo sharing is part of word of mouth marketing. I am a big believer in sharing anything I feel is valuable, what’s the point in hoarding it when it would benefit people in some way? I agree that the service or heart behind a product can completely transform the initial idea into something much more amazing. Wonderful post! x

By: Stephanie Watanabe

Stephanie Watanabe — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:06:02 +0000

I love the way you channeled your excitement for your city into I Live Here – so awesome (and for the record, SF is incredible)! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love hearing what other folks are doing to share their creativity with the world. xo

By: Julie Michelle Sparenberg

Julie Michelle Sparenberg — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:25:34 +0000

I’ve had that happen to me in San Francisco, too. And had the same reaction you did. Usually when you’re taking a photo, you want to share something wonderful so why it isn’t appreciated seems strange.

I created an online portrait and storytelling project several years ago called I Live Here: SF (iliveheresf.com) and it got really popular. People started creating their own sites based on mine, and some wrote to me for permission first. I was flattered that people were so enthusiastic about my idea that they wanted to try it on their own in their own city. I even came up with a response email to give people the wisdom I’d gained so that they’d have more info going into such a project.

If you are truly talented and creative, no one can take that away from you. So why not share what you’ve got!