Years ago Brenda and I bought a burgundy, Chrysler, Town and Country van. Up until that time we hadn't noticed that there were other vans of same make, model and color on the road but after making the purchase and feeling like we had a great van that was perhaps "special" we began to notice that there were many other vans just like it on the road. Okay, so our van wasn't that special after all...the point is that once we had a "felt need", which in this case was less need than awareness, we began to notice and tune into the information that our brains said we needed.
Kem Meyer, author of Less Clutter, Less Noise, says she experienced the same thing the day they decided that their daughters needed a kitten. Suddenly, she saw signs for Free Kittens, Kittens for Adoption etc...everywhere, she even began noticing stray cats. What made the difference from the day before? On that day, she "needed" a kitten for her kids.
The fact is people's needs drive what people pay attention to. People usually only notice what will benefit them in some way. That's the definition of a felt need - anything people consciously lack, desire or need help with (time and money management, relationships, stress, pain, etc.). Connect with a felt need, and you will connect with an audience. On the other hand, if you share information without wrapping it around a felt-need, it is almost impossible to make a connection.
Remember, it's easy for people to miss what they're not looking for.
Earlier this year I stopped in at Uncle Alvin and Aunt Mary's for no reason other than to say hello. Per the usual I ended up staying for longer than I intended. I don't see some of my relatives nearly enough and so when I take the time to reconnect. I reconnect. Interestingly enough, my Amish heritage is filled with "artsy" individuals. Alvin and Mary have always been into art (though they just think it's what they do, nothing special, chust us...you know), now in retirement and in their 80's, Mary is a quilter and Alvin paints. Mary, Aunt Katie and Cousin Jewel all at one time or another practiced the art medium of tinsel painting. A picture of one of my favorites is shown is this collage. Aunt Katie painted this particular one. The other pieces are paintings Alvin created. He typically paints on a small scale primarily on saw blades and hand saws. After my initial visit I commissioned Alvin to paint whatever he chose on a larger canvas and though intimidated by the size of the canvas, he painted the scene pictured above. Obviously, I was very happy with what he did. Additionally, I started my own mini collection of his round saw blades. He has many for sale at very reasonable prices. The farmer or wannabe farmer in your life would treasure one of his originals. Contact me if interested.
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