Seth Godin (again) has a good post about this. It’s important.
I’m not saying that if you think happy thoughts and click your heels together, all will be well. I’d never say that! But I am saying that photographers have a tendency to hyperfocus and, let’s be honest, a lot of you love to complain. When you combine the two, it’s a quick road to Crapsville for your business (and, frankly, your life).
There are always positive things you can do for your business. Sometimes they feel counter-intuitive like spending a day at a museum when the phone has not been ringing (good for creative inspiration!). With all the bad news everyone is getting these days, sometimes the best thing you can do is turn your head the other way and do something, anything, positive.
I am on sabbatical (…any extended period of leave from one’s customary work, esp. for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc. ).
During this time I’m doing great things. Portfolio edit, redesign, marketing, retool, etc.
When my sabbatical is over, the ride is going to be great.
This hasn’t been the best of weeks for me. In fact, I even went so far as to write down all the lousy things that have happened. But, to be honest, it hasn’t been nonstop doom and gloom. I’ve also put a number of good things on that list.
One of the good things that happened is that I spent a good part of last evening at a friend’s house. We got to talking about her experiences while working at a now defunct local department store. She had to take more than a little bit of flak from some of the customers because she was black.
But she didn’t let it get under her skin and stay there. She just kept right on going along. And did I mention that the store’s management backed her 1,000%?
So, people, keep things in perspective. Writing a balance sheet of pluses and minuses can be quite helpful.