If you make every game a life-and-death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot." Dean Smith It's one of those Sunday mornings where my brain is on overload, which seems to happen most when I get a full night's sleep. I've got way too much energy for what should be a lazy Sunday morning. As I was thinking about what to write about, I started thinking about a conversation I had earlier in the week with a photographer who was panic-stricken over changing her prices and moving up from having to eat macaroni and cheese every night! We all get locked into believing certain decisions are under the do-or-die umbrella. I'm not suggesting there aren't times when choosing the right path is more important than others or that you should just charge ahead like a storm-trooper all the time. Just stop dragging yourself down by spending too much time rationalizing on your way up! Here's a prime example: If I hadn't been turned down for a job I applied for in my early Polaroid days, I never would have been caught in a layoff and joined their consumer relations group, which led to a job in Chicago, A few years later it took me to a job in the international group and a lot of great overseas travel, which after two more positions resulted in leaving Polaroid for the President of Hasselblad USA. All I remember is tearing up when I got that first turn down, even after the hiring manager had told me she was announcing my selection the next day. I was crushed and carried on a lot more than everybody who went home this week on American Idol! So, here's the point and here's what I've learned. Everything always works out for the better! Adversity and the challenges of business today take us places we would never go if we were always sailing on consistently smooth seas. Which leads me to one of my favorite quotes once more: "Smooth seas don't make skilled sailors!" Anon Make the best decisions you can. Don't waste energy worrying about it, but instead move on and then pay attention to what happened. If it doesn't work out as planned, pay attention to everything you just learned. There's no such thing as failure as long as you get something out of the experience.
Wishing everybody an outstanding Sunday. Take advantage of the time you have with family and friends. Go easy on the junk food during Super Bowl and most important of all go for that eleven-second hug with somebody special. Count out loud if you have to, but make it at least eleven seconds. ...and a big thanks to Kevin A. Gilligan. This is one of my favorite images in his galleries, which although I've shared before raises another point. Smooth seas don't make great surfers either! Check out his website by clicking on the image.
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I SO agree with this. I believe things happen for a reason. 8 years ago, my full time job got cut to 60%. I was a single mom with one in college and one in Catholic high school. I was devastated. What was I going to do to support my kids? My friends suggested I make a business out of my photography. After doubting them, and me, I took the plunge. I started with landscape photography and got my stuff into a gallery. A year later I started doing senior portraits & sports photography and never looked back. I'm still teaching, but love where my photography has taken me. I that principal hadn't reduced my contract, I never would have pursued my dream of photography.
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