Putting Love Back into Your Creativity...and Cookies!
Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way.
I absolutely love the sense of community amongst cookiers. The cookie community is a tight knit group formed over the years through social media, local meet ups, cookie classes, and huge events like the Cookie-A-Thons hosted by The Colorful Cookie, the Cookie Better Workshop and CookieCon just to name a few. These are all positive and uplifting groups that encourage us to endure and strive for the best in our creativity. They keep us going as bakers when the stress sets in. But not all people we encounter in this journey are positive. In this post, I will focus on how the love of creativity can be impacted in a negative way through envy, arrogance, and rudeness and how we can avoid it or turn it around to spread joy to others.
- Humility and Respect: It is important to approach the baking world with humility and respect for others. Sharing knowledge and experiences makes the baking community a more positive and supportive place. Bakers share pictures of their products, experiences with customers, and business wins and fails. Cookiers tend to avoid envy and boasting of their talents. That is key to fostering a positive and supportive baking community. Instead, they focus on sharing knowledge, learning from others, and celebrating each other’s achievements.
- Setting Boundaries: When we move to the world of business though, you may encounter a less hospitable environment at times, especially during the stressful holiday season. You may be met with demands of your time and talent that are less welcomed. An example of this type of encounter is when friends and family request a discount for your products or services. How do you handle those circumstances? It can be tricky. Whether you are a hobby, cottage, or full-time baker with a storefront, it is important to maintain boundaries while being fair to others. You might consider offering to make a small number of goodies or giving a small family discount, but make sure it does not undervalue your work or cause a time or financial strain. Remember, a situation such as this is only desirable if it does not steal your joy. If giving a discount or baking a dozen cookies for someone gives you joy, then you are more apt to complete the task with love. Open and honest communication is key in handling these situations.
- Challenging Customers: Sometimes, a customer just cannot be pleased with what you have to offer. They may want a design that is not within your skill set. Or perhaps their deadline for receiving the order is not in line with your timeline. Don’t be afraid to be honest and upfront. Most customers will appreciate you doing so. However, occasionally, nothing you say or do can appease a dissatisfied customer. Dealing with rude customers can be challenging, but it is important to remain professional and calm. Try to empathize with their concerns, listen actively, and respond politely. If the situation escalates, consider not taking the order or giving a partial or full refund if money has already changed hands. It is not worth the negative reviews, and your well-being is important, too.
The people we allow into our lives will either lift us up or bring us down. The choice is ours to make. Do not let someone in your life steal your joy! You will hear me say that often. If baking for others is not bringing you joy, then you will be the one being rude and disrespectful. Love is not that way. Bakers are some of the nicest people I know and they are that way because they truly enjoy their work. They maintain a sense of community, set boundaries when needed, and meet unpleasant people with respect and dignity. Love above all. I truly believe that to be the reason for our passion in creating.