Happy Thursday everyone! Today, I want to talk with you briefly about achieving goals and just how hard that can be. I'm going to talk specifically about my journey starting a creative business, but really hope that anyone who is working toward a goal or reaching for a dream can relate!
Personal goals and dreams usually stem from our passions and passion is exactly what is needed to fuel our journey toward success - however you choose to define it. Being over two years out from when I made a conscious decision to make my art a priority in my life, just under a year from when I starting making concrete steps in building my business, and six months from the launch of that business, my passion is tested every single day.
There are days when motivation is hard to come by and the test is 'how will I be productive today?'
There are days when I question myself...my abilities to run a successful business, if I have what it takes to be a great photographer, whether or not anyone even cares about what I'm creating, and if all the work is worth it. The test is 'do you believe in yourself and how badly do you really want this?'
There are days, of course, that I feel on top of the world and am overflowing with emotion when something great happens (a commission comes in, a complimentary email arrives, a new photography client is booked) and the test is 'will you remember and appreciate this feeling when something goes wrong?'
There are days when life gets in the way and the test is 'will you make that an excuse and a reason to quit?'
Starting a small business is a rollercoaster and anyone who is working toward a goal has to battle these questions each and every day. Passion fuels our spirit, but it may not be enough to get where you want to be. Having a great community of people who support what you do and are resources to help you succeed is really important. You need other people to hold you up and promote your abilities, there's no question about it. Achieving a personal goal, however, requires you to believe in yourself - and sometimes that's a hard lesson to learn. If you don't have faith in yourself or believe in what you're doing, no one else is going to. And no one else is going to watch what you do all day, everyday and stop you from watching too much Netflix or playing games onlilne. That's on you! Another test of your passion...the test is 'what is more important and will you let your short-term plans win out over your long-term goals?'
We deal with fear and we deal with doubt. It's easy to let them win, but being successful is beating those thoughts of uncertainty right out of your path. Sometimes you need a little help, so here are several quotes that have made their way across my desk in the past week and have really spoken to me as a brand new small business owner.
F-E-A-R has two meanings: “Forget Everything And Run, or “Face Everything And Rise.” The Choice is yours. ~Zig Ziglar
How will you define fear in your life?
"You can only grow if you’re willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." ~Brian Tracy
Will you stick to what you know or be open to change?
"Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so." ~David Brooks
Do you believe in what you have to offer the world and that you control your destiny?
All you need to know is that the future is wide open and you are about to create it by what you do. ~Pema Chodron
Your actions are what shape your world - what will you do?
"Success is about getting to the point where everyone quits and taking one more step." ~John Michael Morgan
Will you make yourself stand out?
I hope that you always believe in who you are and what you're doing. Goals and dreams are truly beautiful and you deserve to achieve them, but don't expect world to hand them to you. Go out and make it happen...put in the work and reap your rewards!
Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful weekend!