Success: Stop Looking So Hard!

Unlike the Tooth Fairy, the Success Fairy doesn't tap you on the shoulder in the middle of the night and *poof* you're a success!

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
Henry David Thoreau

It's a typical Sunday morning and while sometimes I'm off track from photography and business, today's post is going to be right on the money for many of you.

I've noticed something about those people in our industry who we consider at the top of their game.  Their success is all about their attitude. They work hard and have incredible technical and creative talent.  But, when it comes to looking for success, they simply don't worry about it. They trust the hard work is eventually going to pay off.

They've also learned to define success. Yes, lifestyle is a big part of it, but as Sandy Puc and I talked about in a Weekend Wisdom podcast - there's a point in your life when you finally realize success is about waking up smiling every morning - not what's in your bank account.

Now move to the other end of the spectrum, new photographers who aren't established yet. Most of them are preoccupied with making it. They're all looking for success as if it's going to just show up one day.

I can't help but think about my old buddy, Don Blair. He loved to teach. It's what he did best and second to his family and friends; it's what he enjoyed the most. But while other photographers his age seemed to worry about being forgotten or kept trying to reinvent themselves, Don just took it one day at a time.  He did what he loved the most and kept teaching. He never had to look for work - it always came to him.

So, on this lazy Sunday morning - for those of you who stay awake at night worrying about your business or wondering when the Success Fairy is going to tap you on the shoulder - relax and just keep working hard.  Keep building your network. Keep fine tuning your skills. Stay focused on your marketing, and stop worrying about success.

If I've learned nothing else after all these years in business, great things happen when you least expect them and everything always works out for the better!

Wishing everybody a wonderful Sunday with family, friends and people you care about. And, if you're smiling all day from the inside out - then consider yourself a success!

Illustration Credit: © Dennis Cox