I call Wednesdays my “lump days”. No, that’s not a misspelling. I know people refer to it as “hump day” but that just makes me think of camels. When I think of a lump, it’s pretty much how I usually feel. I’m halfway through the week, but there’s still SO much time before Friday, yet all of my energy is usually spent by now! All the drive I had on Sunday for the week seems to dissipate by now, (I blame Mondays). I’m just a lump on my kitchen floor, grasping for a Diet Dr. Pepper to somehow infuse me with caffeine so I can just make it through the rest of the day.
So, I’d like to do a Wednesday Encouragement segment each week, (this MIGHT be more for myself…)! I’ve always prided myself on being an encouraging type of person, especially because I really hate to see people hurting or upset. I am empathetic to the 10th degree.
Today is gonna be about something I tend to struggle with a lot: CONFIDENCE. In myself and in my ability. When I talk to friends and family they always tell me, “Oh you shouldn’t talk like that, you are amazing!” Which I deeply appreciate, but I’ve always been super critical of myself. Plus it’s usually my mom who says that and she has to. It’s a daily problem as I admire the beautiful work of my fellow photographers and other professionals. Granted, I don’t want to be JUST like them or copy them in any way, but I just feel like my skill level just isn’t where I want it to be. Times like these I have to remember a Mary Marantz quote: “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
Oh Mary, where would I be without your wonderful quotes?? And it’s true! I know a lot of people compare themselves to others who have been in the business MUCH longer! I do it all the time. I’ve only been doing photography intensely for about a year, so of course I’m not gonna be as good as people who’ve been in business for 3+ years! There’s just no way I can be where they are yet. How do I get there, though? I WORK for it! We can’t just sit here and hope and pray to get better. God isn’t just gonna drop experience into our laps, because we all know that’s not how God works.
The keys to improvement are these: HARD WORK and CONFIDENCE
Even if you’re terrified of a situation, like going to a client meeting with new people and you’re really awkward, (like me!), or you’re shooting in new conditions that you’re not so used to, you just gotta fake it until you make it. Stop letting that nasty little voice in the back of your head tell you that you’re going to fail! You’re the ONLY one standing in your way! Seriously, if I let that little voice control me, I don’t think I’d ever get out of bed.
I don’t want any of you to think that you can’t do something that you’re dreaming about. Want to start a bakery? Want to learn how parachute out of planes? Maybe you just want to learn to speak another language!
What’s stopping you?
Oh I’m not financially stable…Oh I’m not experienced enough…Oh I’m too busy.
Those are just excuses. If there are things you DREAM about doing, why aren’t you doing what you can to fulfill them?
Start saving…Get off your bum and get some experience…Re-evaluate your priorities.
Confidence. I have it in you, and I have to have it in myself before I can really accomplish anything.
So go out and dream it, do it, and LIVE IT.
Wishing you the happiness of pygmy owls and sugar gliders,
-M
