In part one, you did an exhaustive self-survey of all the skills you currently have. If you haven’t, go back and read part one first.
Part 2 is asking yourself an important question: Why? Why do I want this thing? Why do I want to make it myself?
When considering a DIY project, knowing why you want something, and why you are considering making it yourself, are invaluable. Knowing why will help you budget time, money, and resources. Knowing why will help you stay motivated to finish. Knowing why will give you a reason to get started. Knowing why will also help you decide to not do a project.
Here’s a personal example: I decided to start making my own soaps. My whys were easy to list. I want to have control over what I put on my skin. I want to save money. I want to ensure that I will have enough soap for myself and my family and not worry about supply issues. I like smelling good and being clean! I like making homemade gifts for friends and family.
This list gave me motivation and focus. I am not interested in creating a product for market, I am interested in self-sufficiency, and health. This list helped me decide on a budget and how much time I can give. When I added in my existing skills list, it became a project I was motivated to move forward with.
Now soap making is a regular part of my life, really no different than the other things I do, like cooking dinner. Am I producing the most beautiful bars anyone has ever laid eyes on? No! But that was never my focus. I do try to improve, and learn more, but I never lose sight of my real reasons, because I know my whys!
What are your whys? Are they motivating you to dig in and get going? Or did they help you realize that maybe the project you were thinking about isn’t something you truly want? Leave a comment below and tell me what you found out. I’d love to hear from you!