ARTYSMITH2

Monday 8 April 2019

STILL HERE, STILL GOING ...

Hello, it’s me … Still here, still going, still doing my thing! Its been a while, I know, but sometimes work takes you along an exciting route and priorities change.

I’ve missed adding my musings to this blog but figure, even in this changing landscape, there is still enough relevant retail tips on this site to help you along your journey.

The retail world is more challenging than ever, but the opportunities still exist and if you’re prepared to work hard and you don’t allow your heart to rule your head, it’s there for the taking.

I’m not planning to be writing lots of new blog posts over the next few months as my retail design consultancy is busier than ever but as the title says, I’m still here and still going …

If you need to contact me feel free, I’ll always answer your emails or calls.

Best wishes

Peter

#retail -consultant -designer -visualcommunicator -educator

tel 07907 691711

email info@artysmith2.com

#aboutme – the story so far

Monday 2 January 2017

2017 - GO WITH THE FLOW

It goes without saying that 2016 will go down in the history books. The unexpected became a reality, we experienced a lot of sadness but, there was plenty to inspire us too!

2016 is a good reminder that even the best laid plans can fall apart but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have any. My approach for 2017 is to keep my plans a more flexible and to focus on three things.

Attitude – If you really want to realise your dreams you need the right attitude, about yourself, your approach to work and your life in general. And, to keep this in place you need a few things to help you when the going gets tough! These could be a collection of visual images, inspirational quotes or writing, a place to visit or, best of all, someone to talk to!

Goals – As Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote, “A goal without a plan is just a wish”. Setting a few goals will give you something to aim for. They can be short and long term goals but the main thing is that you have something written down with a deadline. I always think Christmas is perfect example of how a deadline should work. Christmas is a set (immovable) date, it brings with it rewards and, above all else, it motivates people to make an extra effort across all areas of their life and work. Wouldn’t it be great if we could apply this enthusiasm to all our deadlines?

Action – Without action our goals will remain wishes. Starting a new project or task is the easy bit. Finding the motivation to keep going is a whole lot harder so, make sure you have some help in place to keep you on track.

I hope 2017 brings all your hopes and dreams to fruition…

Best wishes

Peter

#retail -consultant -designer -visualcommunicator -educator

tel 07907 691711

email info@artysmith2.com

#aboutme – the story so far

Sunday 1 January 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It's time this year to

have fun...

be creative...

never give up...

stay calm...

travel...

dance...

be social...

live outdoors...

sing as you go...

spend time at the beach...

& above all else, be kind...

& make someone happy...

HAPPY NEW YEAR

best wishes & good luck for 2017

Peter

#retail -consultant -designer -visualcommunicator -educator

tel 07907 691711

email info@artysmith2.com

aboutme – the story so far

Wednesday 28 December 2016

2017 LOADING

Ready, steady...

Thursday 22 December 2016

SEASONS GREETINGS

Wishing you all a

very merry Christmas and a

happy, healthy & peaceful

New Year...

Best wishes

Peter

#retail -consultant -designer -visualcommunicator -educator

tel 07907 691711

email info@artysmith2.com

#aboutme – the story so far

Monday 7 November 2016

THINGS NOT GOING TO PLAN...

Firstly, apologies to all those who regularly read my blog, you will have noticed my absence over the last few weeks.

Sometimes things just happen and those well-conceived plans just fall apart. For most of us, this is only temporary. It’s a bit like spinning plates, inevitably some of them will fall and smash to pieces. It doesn’t matter how good our master plan is, life has a habit of throwing in unexpected stuff to throw us off plan and challenge us. When these things happen it’s time to stop, evaluate the situation and prioritise the essential stuff and not worry about the rest.

The last few weeks have been a bit like that for me, nothing major but lots of unexpected little things that have taken up more time than I would have expected. A few years ago, this would have probably overwhelmed me, created unnecessary anxiety and bought me to a standstill. Luckily for me, I learnt over the years that if you keep positive and open minded things have a habit of working out, often for the better!

My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their workload or, even life in general, is to prioritise, apply lots of common sense, stop aiming for perfection and slowly chip away at your ‘to do’ list. Before you know it you'll suddenly realise you’re in a better place than you could ever have imagined.

During challenging times, there are a couple of quotes that I use to inspire me. The first is by the American industrialist Henry Ford.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you

take your eyes off the goal.

And the second, by the Chinese philosopher Confucius.

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

As a very wise man once said to me, tomorrow’s another day.

Onward and upward…

All the best

Peter

#retail -consultant -designer -visualcommunicator -educator

tel 07907 691711

email info@artysmith2.com

#aboutme – the story so far

Monday 26 September 2016

TAKE 5 - TALKING POINT

It may be fun, it may be quirky or, it may be just plain right odd, but sometimes shops need a talking point. An object, prop or feature that is just a bit out of the ordinary. And yes, it may take up valuable sales space but, take it away and suddenly the shop has lost its personality, the customer appeal has gone and it’s no longer the unique and intriguing place it once was…