 “One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind.” Dorothea Lange  Click on "Randy" to hear the short podcast by Skip Cohen
It's Hump Day, and as I sat down to write this morning, for whatever reason, I was thinking about how so many photographers today have a "that's good enough" attitude regarding the quality of their images. Too many of you never think about how the photographs you capture, especially portraits, might be of value later on. I'm not talking about the rush to meet a deadline and occasionally taking a shortcut. We've all done that. It's acceptable when you're grabbing a photograph for your archives, or even fixing something at home. However, when it comes to a client, only your best is good enough. In 2016, my good buddy Bob Coates shared one of his favorite portraits with me, "Randy," shown on the right. I hope you listen to the short podcast with the photograph, but here's the summary. Randy was struck by a car and died two to three weeks after Bob captured this image. Bob's portrait was one of the last photographs ever taken of him. One more major example, looking back to 9/11. Remember the tragedy and the photographs posted as people searched for lost family members and friends? Because so many of the victims were relatively young, there were hundreds of professional portraits, usually bridal, college, or high school senior shots. Throughout the industry, there are stories from professional photographers who captured the last images taken of a specific subject. Here's my point - NEVER compromise on the quality of an image. Your clients trust you to capture the best photos, and you owe them your full attention. You never know how important today's photographs are going to be tomorrow!
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 It's a little scary when you find an AI pic in Adobe Stock for Hump Day and the camel has a sport jacket you used to wear! By adding a side quest to your day, you create space for curiosity, exploration, and playfulness and could discover something amazing and totally unexpected along the way. Ali Abdall  With Matthew in 2015 by Skip Cohen
It's Hump Day! It's not only the middle of the week, but for many it's considered the middle of the summer as well. It's a time when business might be slow. Fortunately, it's anticipated with people on vacation and the usual lull of things being relatively quiet... except Mother Nature's wrath this year. Many years ago, Matthew Jordan Smith joined me on the Weekend Wisdom podcast sponsored by Sprout Studio. We talked about the importance of stepping away from your core business with special projects. Special/personal projects help you stay focused on your creativity. This is especially important when your bread-and-butter business isn't as glamorous as you had hoped. A unique project allows you to be in complete control and can be virtually anything you decide to capture. Even if you love what you're doing and it has the glamor, personal projects help you keep creativity and motivation fresh! And you never know when a special project can become something bigger than you planned. Special projects can become exhibits, gallery shows, books, and even new businesses. For example, Matthew's book Future American President was based on an idea that was part of his life for at least three years before publication. For me personally, the new Facebook Group and podcast, Before They Take Away My Keys, is outside my normal work. It's a personal project that's near and dear to my heart, but having nothing to do with my core business. Another example that many of you have done is a 365 project - they help fulfill a similar need: challenging creativity and consistency. Projects involving doing something daily don't have to do with imaging. For example, there was a story on the news recently about a father and his young son who decided to play catch EVERY day for a year. They never missed a day - rain, shine, or snow...and they kept it going even when away from home. It was a relationship builder with a purpose to create something memorable. From Google: Personal projects offer a unique space for growth, creativity and self-discover. They turn abstract dreams into tangible reality, reminding us that the most important work we do is often the work we choose for ourselves. If you don't have a personal project in your life, it's time to start. It's the "side quest" to each day that's referenced in today's quote.  Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself. Richard Bach by Skip Cohen
It's Hump Day, and it's perfect for a midweek reflection on what you're working on and the "why" behind it. I've met and talked with so many artists and business owners who sound like they're apologizing when you ask them what they do for a living. Somewhere in life, they got sidetracked by incoming revenue as the guideline for success and, in turn, happiness. While it's important, especially with the cost of things today, you still need more than that to wake up smiling every morning. When I was trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up, after leaving WPPI and Rangefinder Magazine in 2009, Sheila's advice was Shakespeare's quote in today's title. And now, after almost 20 years of being together, it still comes up when I'm trying to focus on the next project. Lou Mitchell, when he shared today's quote, wrote: Staying true to oneself is the core obligation in life, surpassing all external expectations. The approach encourages deep self-reflection and a steadfast commitment to living in alignment with one's true self. Authenticity involves understanding and embracing your own values, passions, and desires, even when they challenge societal norms or others' expectations. It's just a short post today, but with a powerful message...don't let other people live your life. The only way to do that is to stay true to the face in the mirror. Most important of all is recognizing that when you're focused in the direction your heart tells you to go, creativity abounds! Happy Hump Day!  Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. Warren Buffett by Skip Cohen
When I read the quote above, I couldn't help but think about our industry. Lou Mitchell went on to write: The benefits we enjoy are often the result of efforts made by others in the past. This perspective encourages us to consider how our actions can create lasting positive effects for those who come after us, emphasizing the value of foresight and generosity. We're an industry of trailblazers. People like Don Blair, Monte Zucker and Dean Collins, just to name a few, all blazed a trail for so many of us to follow and learn from. And as each of them passed on, another artist, educator, and trend-setter stepped in, becoming a guiding light for integrity, quality, and new techniques. Now and then I've met artists who want to change their career path and step into another specialty. But almost always, they have an excuse: it's too late and something they should have done years ago. They "should" on themselves, but the reality is just the opposite -- There's always time to change, grow, and influence. Remember, growth only happens outside your comfort zone. I remember sitting with Don Blair in the back of the room at a Nick Vedros presentation in Phoenix. Don, already established as one of the most recognized portrait artists in the world, was furiously taking notes. Surprised, I asked, "What are you taking notes about? You know all of this stuff already!" He shook his head and said, "What this guy is doing is giving me all kinds of ideas on changes I want to make!" He went back to furiously taking more notes. It's just a short post today and a reminder that your only limitations are the ones you put on yourself. Plus, as sappy as it sounds, this industry is a family with members who help each other and watch each other's backs. As I've written before, you can't create images that tug at people's hearts if your own heart isn't in it! So, if you find yourself bored and a touch apathetic, step away from your business and take time to figure out what's missing. When a bottle of Coke has gone flat, you can't put the fizz back in, but you can toss it and open another bottle! Your career path is no different, and there are so many different "sodas" to choose from. Happy Hump Day!  What fools call wasting time is most often the best investment. Nassim Taleb  by Skip Cohen
Three years ago I started the "Hump Day" series. Most of today's post is from that first post, which started by wandering through cyberspace to check out when the expression got started. Here's what Google gave me: Wednesday first came to be known as hump day since at least the 1950s. The expression figures Wednesday, the middle of the workweek, as the hump people get over to coast into the weekend. Throughout the 20th century, Wednesday was especially referred to as hump day in an effort to liven up the drudgery of the workweek. If you think about it, there's no middle of the workweek any longer. In the 50s, Saturday was a coast day, and no businesses were open on Sunday. Today, most retailers operate 7 days a week. Plus, if you're a wedding and event photographer working Friday - Sunday, there is no "coasting" into the weekend. But here's how I use "Hump Day:" I have several ongoing projects. On Wednesdays, I like to waste time. "First and second Tuesdays" (see my previous post) are always a little insane. By Wednesday, I want to look at what I've done and what I have coming up, and I'll often take time to kick back a little to think through my game plan. I review my calendar, check for any deadlines, and then do some prep work for specific projects I'm working on. It's a day to reflect a little, then ramp up to complete what I want to finish by Friday's end. We all should have our routines, but sadly, for those of you just starting out, it's natural to be reactionary. You're trying to be all things to everybody. You'll eventually lose focus, and that's when something gets missed. It took me a long time to recognize my own limitations given the time I had available. I had no choice but to work to get a little more organized. Learn from my mistakes so that you can make new ones of your own. Establish a few standard routines you do each day that involve various aspects of your business. And while marketing is an ongoing category, remember: your greatest marketing tool is relationship building. Make sure you have time allotted for customer contacts and building a brand that demonstrates your accessibility and passion for the craft.  We say what we do, we sometimes say how we do it, but we rarely say why we do what we do? Simon Sinek by Skip Cohen
With the quote above, author Lou Mitchell wrote: While it's common to focus on why we do and how we do it, true inspiration and motivation come from knowing why we do it. This deeper understanding can drive our actions, align our efforts with our values, and inspire others. So, it's Hump Day, and I like to keep it light, or at least easy to follow through on whatever idea I'm sharing. A few times over the last ten years, I've written about finding your "Why" - it's an easy concept, but in reality, a tough assignment. Most of you are artists involved in virtually anything under the imaging umbrella. What I love the most about this business is that everyone has a different story of how they got here. For me, it was all accidental, but the longer I was in the industry, the more I grew to love it. Today, I can't imagine any other career path I could have chosen that would make me as happy as this one. Take a few minutes and think about your "Why." And if you're having a hard time, maybe it's time to modify your journey. There's a great story I heard years ago, about finding why... A little girl is watching her mother make a roast beef and asks why she cuts 2 inches off the roast and throws it away...before it goes into the oven. When she asked why, the mother said, " Because that's the way my mother taught me." So the little girl goes to the grandmother and asks the same question. The grandmother responds, "Because that's the way my mother taught me." Last but not least, she goes to the great-grandmother and asks, "Why do you cut a piece off the roast beef before you cook it?" The great-grandmother responded, "Because I only had a pan this big, and she held her hands about ten inches apart. There are so many of you who operate on habit and tradition, never questioning whether or not what you're doing is the best way to complete the task. You're comfortable because you've never challenged what you're doing. Does it make sense? Is it the best way to, for example, grow your business? Remember, growth only happens outside your comfort zone. And while I normally use that line to refer to expanding your skill set and diversity in your style, it really applies to everything you're doing as a small business owner. Take the time to find your "Why." Whether it's the big things or the minutiae that come with running a business, don't let anything get in the way of your success or happiness. Success is far more than just the bottom line. It's all about waking up every morning with a smile on your face! Happy Hump Day!  When you're up to your ass in alligators, it's easy to forget your initial objective was to drain the swamp! Unknown Author  ...and this was just the battery! The phone itself snapped into the top but was lost over the years. by Skip Cohen
It's an expression we've all heard and are reminded of whenever we take on a challenge that turns out to be far more difficult than anticipated. That pretty much describes our days right now. Here's the short backstory: After ten years in this house, we decided it was time to paint the interior...but not a little at a time. Walls, trim, ceiling, closets -- all in the same project. And while there have been some funny moments, like me finally giving up my warmest winter parka to Goodwill...or deciding which of my alternative sizes of clothing should finally be discarded...it's been exhausting. We moved to Florida fifteen years ago, and it's hard to believe how much junk we've accumulated. But sorting out the contents of various closets is only the smallest challenge. We never really thought through our daily routines - now interrupted by the addition of the painters, rooms temporarily emptied into other rooms, the smell of the paint, and trying to find virtually anything that's been moved! Even the pups are confused - since their bed is normally in the room where everything started. What I did find interesting, though, was the AI explanation of the 70s quote about alligators: This classic, pragmatic business idiom perfectly describes being so overwhelmed by day-to-day crises that you lose sight of your original goals. If you are dealing with a flood of pressing issues right now, here is a quick approach to help regain control:
So, I chose not to post for the last couple of days - at least until we were more organized. I'm chasing things down one closet at a time, and as paint in one room dries, I'm preparing the next. I've even got a mini-plan in my head for putting things back. It sounds like we're organized, but only in my writing. The bottom line is the "swamp" was simply the idea of a much-needed fresh coat of paint. So, there's nothing to do but take things one step at a time. However, there's still a fair amount of "gut-wrenching" decisions when it comes to one last closet -- my camera/business storage in my office! It's more like a museum, home not only to multiple pieces of camera gear I no longer use, dozens of cables, but also to staplers and even a fax machine. I'm not a hoarder, but finding the power pack for my first cell phone is pretty outrageous. It's close to 40 years old and weighs at least 5 lbs. I've used it over the years to make a comparison to the way some small business owners still try and market themselves without ever expanding in all the new ways to extend your reach! I'm whining about all the challenges, and we're only on day 2! Wishing everybody a Happy Hump Day! Whatever the challenges in your life today, be grateful that you're here to take them on. Keep the alligators in the swamp by staying focused on the original intent before you started. Most important of all - don't lose your sense of humor, which tends to evaporate the minute you stop taking care of yourself. Happy Hump Day!  The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. Helen Keller by Skip Cohen I came into the professional side of imaging in 1987. For almost 40 years, I've met and worked with hundreds, if not thousands, of artists and business owners. Those who have been most successful have always had a vision of how they wanted their business to look and perform. What makes me sad is the number of artists who either had minimal vision or treated their vision as if it were embedded in concrete, unchangeable. So, they stuck to the same path, forgetting the expression, "If you do what you've always done, you'll never get more than you've ever gotten!" Success is more than just the financial side of a business - it's also about waking up with a smile on your face, excited about the day ahead. It's about being able to pivot when necessary, keeping up with technology and maintaining momentum. If you're not happy with what you're doing, or how your business is running, then step back, analyze the issue, and make the changes you need. It's no good running a pig farm badly for thirty years while saying, 'Really, I was meant to be a ballet dancer.' By then, pigs will be your style. Quentin Crisp Here's the bottom line - stay true to your passion. If your original vision needs to change, then don't be afraid to follow another path, just don't abandon your dreams completely. When I was a kid, people used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. The truth is, I still don't know, but I know I'm happy and life is anything but dull. And as long as I'm still waking up smiling and charged up for the day ahead, then I'm on the right path!
 Seriousness is overrated. If you want to achieve more without ruining your life, the first step is to approach your work with a sense of play! A. Abdall  by Skip Cohen This short post has a message many of us often overlook: life gets too serious, and that heaviness leads to more stress. The bottom line is the way so many of us have done our best growing and surviving in business over the years - work hard, play hard. Some of the most successful projects I've ever worked on involved a team of people who simply refused not to have fun - no matter how hard the task. These days, that quote above is the perfect reminder that we've all become too serious, mostly about things outside our control. And, if you're one of those people who think playing it safe requires a level of seriousness, here's one more quote: The death rate for people who play it safe and for people who live boldly is the same: 100% Patty Digh Happy Hump Day!
 by Skip Cohen
Over the last few months I've shared dozens of suggestions to help you build a stronger business. But now that we're into spring seasonality, things are busier and a lot of you have the idea that you don't have the time to do more marketing. Here's a list of easy things to do regularly to help you keep the momentum going:
Just like a houseplant needs water and fertilizer to grow and stay healthy, so does your spirit and your business. Don't let the stress of the biz grind you down. You've got to stay active and passionate about the craft and your clients. Remember, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it! Happy Hump Day!  AI image from Adobe Stock by Skip Cohen It's Hump Day for everyone who's working/living a normal life...LOL But, most of you are photographers, and if your specialty is on the bridal or event side, there is no "normal" life or schedule. There is no Hump Day to hit and ride over the other side, suggesting you can coast into the weekend. And that's my point with today's post: I don't know anybody who has true normalcy in their lives. In fact, I'm not sure how to even define "normal." Sheila and I have our daily routines, together and apart, but life has become bizarre. As we watched last night's news, we were blown away by each story. From Mother Nature's wrath to the fires in Georgia and Florida, to there being no escape from the political scene. And regardless of whether you are on the left or right, whatever happened to the goal of supporting "We the People?" I know this is becoming a rant, but I want my world back! The problem is that it's getting farther and farther away...it's becoming less and less recognizable. So, Sheila and I raise the drawbridge to keep the trolls out, but they still come into our lives emotionally. This is a short post with only one goal: to remind you that, whatever frustrations you're feeling, you're not alone. Your friends and your network, together, are your support group. There are still memories to be made, moments to capture, and stories to be told, all under the umbrella of friendships. "Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything," Muhammad Ali "Friendship is everything. Friendship is more than talent. It is more than the government. It is almost the equal of family." Mario Puzo Happy Hump Day!
 People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily. Zig Zigler by Skip Cohen It's Hump Day, and the older I get, the faster the week seems to go by. As I considered what to share on a lighter and more general note, I remembered a quote from Lou Mitchell's book, Mastering Positive Thinking. He wrote: Just as we clean our bodies to maintain hygiene, we need to refresh our minds and spirits with motivational thoughts and actions. Consistent motivation fuels our drive and helps us navigate life's challenges with renewed energy. It's not about a one-time surge but about cultivating a habit that keeps us focused and inspired every day. From the "Drilling Down" series to "Formulas for Success," I've shared a few dozen ideas to help you focus on actions to build a stronger business and make 2026 a record-breaking year. But ideas alone aren't enough - you need to be motivated. Motivation is the fuel you run on, much like a tank of gas in your car. The ongoing economic challenges that raise the cost of gas every day are a small part of the increasing pressures on our sanity, which make it harder to stay focused and motivated. The more we're bombarded by outside influences, the harder it is to stay motivated. That's where having faith comes into play. I know I've shared this before - the quote below is in a frame next to my sink in the bathroom, and I see it every morning. Yet, I so often forget it. Faith...is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what we do not see. Unknown Author Happy Hump Day - Make the rest of the week as spectacular as you can! It takes motivation and motivation takes faith.
 AI image from Adobe Stock  by Skip Cohen It's Hump Day and perfect for a little inspiration from Dr. Seuss, who has some pretty good advice now and then. Like most of you with kids, especially older kids, we used to read Dr. Seuss stories all the time. From the tongue twisters in Fox in Socks to Green Eggs and Ham...you name the book, 50 years ago, and it was on the bookshelf. I even made green eggs and ham one morning with a little food coloring. I used a little too much, and the kids’ tongues were green for a short time, but that didn't stop the laughter. This morning when Sheila and I shared our motivational breakfast reading, mine was by Lou Mitchell and he quoted the doc: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." That inspired me to find a few more classics - all good choices to keep it light on Hump Day. “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” “And this mess is so big, And so deep and so tall, We cannot pick it up. There is no way at all!” “It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.” Dr. Seuss also shared a lot of great ideas/lessons in life, not just from his collection of kids' books.
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.” This is definitely a time in history when we need to look at life "through the wrong end of a telescope!" We need more fantasy in our recipe for living. Happy Hump Day everybody!  I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody. Herbert Swope by Skip Cohen It's "Hump Day" and I'm trying to keep it short, but that doesn't mean light! I've met so many photographers over the years who are obsessed with trying to please every customer who contacts them. I think it was Sarah Petty who I first heard remind artists that not everybody was their customer. I also know the tougher the economy, the harder it is to turn a paying customer away. However, you need to maintain a balance to keep your business running. True success comes from staying true to ourselves and making decisions based on our principles and goals, not the expectations of others. Lou Mitchell And there it is - the perfect Hump Day post - short, to the point, and a solid reminder as you plan the year ahead...not everybody is your customer. Stay focused on your goals and values. Stop compromising on challenges that undermine your growth and success.
Happy Hump Day!  by Skip Cohen When I started this "Hump Day" series, it was just for fun, with the plan to keep it light. I'm not looking to share anything complex, but to give you something to consider that you might have missed or forgotten. While this topic is from the SCU archives, I wanted to bring it back today because there's just so much noise in our lives. It doesn't matter which side of the fight you're on - I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't admit that this country is in trouble, along with the rest of the world, and let's not forget Mother Nature's wrath! It's the perfect time for a reminder about the value of silence... taking a break from the news...emotional respite...and simply appreciating the control you have through quietness. In silence, we can hear our intuition speak. But it can be difficult to find silence in the age of hyperconnectivity. We must find the time to unplug and create silence at least once a day... A change happens when we learn to access stillness...In stillness we find our balance. Emily Silva This time of year, most of us are so busy, along with as "doom-scrolling" social media and news stories, that we rarely search out silence. We don't slow things down until the damage from the "noise" in our lives is already well underway.
Find a moment today to kick back and chill. Walk away from everything and appreciate the silence for as long as you need. Happy Hump Day!  Always keep a bottle of wine in the fridge for a special occasion. You know, like Wednesday. Unknown by Skip Cohen
I'm not sure when it happened, but as I've gotten older, Wednesdays have become more meaningful. Nothing earthshaking, just a day where things feel a little more laid back. It's when we start thinking about weekend plans, and for me, projects that are more time-consuming. I know it's all psychological, but I feel more creative, relaxed, and even focused on being more positive. I went off in cyberspace to do a little research on "Hump Day," and Google AI gave me the following:
Here in Sarasota, it's also garbage day, and maybe in my head, I'm throwing out more than just the trash. In those two barrels out at the curb right now are more than recyclables, empty bottles, cups, and junk mail. My frustrations seem to go out with the trash, including the challenges in politics, the cost of living, and the endless hours of finger-pointing from politicians on both sides who have forgotten who they really work for...us! "Hump Day" is a day that simply feels different. I know it's all in my head. But I've got my "act" together more on Wednesdays. And at this time of year, seasonality heading into the holidays adds an extra layer of energy and positivity to everything I want to work on. Wishing everybody a terrific Hump Day and hoping the little lift I always feel mid-week is contagious. The world has clearly gone mad, but sometimes the best philosophy to get through it all is a little hero-worship of Alfred E. Neuman. Happy Hump Day!  I'm careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for, perfection is God's business. Michael J. Fox  by Skip Cohen It's Wednesday, Hump Day, and if you think about it, there really is no middle of the workweek any longer. The expression started in the 50s when Saturday was a coast day, and no businesses were open on Sunday. Turning back the clock to when this old fart was a kid, NOTHING was open on Sundays - no gas, no banks (there were no ATMs), not even a supermarket was open. Today, especially this time of year, retailers run 7 days a week, and the Internet never closes! If you're a wedding and event photographer working Friday - Sunday, there is no "coasting" into the weekend. You might not be shooting during the week, but that's when you do all your "prep" work for previous orders. Capturing memories is no easy task, and it requires your constant attention to keep the momentum for your creative genes going all the time. In 2009, I decided to see if I could walk the talk and be an entrepreneur like so many of you whom I admire. I started my own business. It was one of the best things I've ever done. Like so many people who make significant changes in their lives, I made the usual post-change comment: "I wish I had done it years ago!" Change doesn't come easy for most of us, and big changes are always slow, depending on the risk involved. In business, especially, there's a lot to consider. But one of my greatest lessons leading up to my career change was to stop chasing perfection! I wanted my business survival to be guaranteed, and although I thought about it for years, I always convinced myself that the timing wasn't right! One of my favorite quotes, thanks to Zig Ziglar, is: "If you wait for all the lights to turn green, you'll never get started on your journey!" The challenge so many of us have is finally taking that leap of faith to make a change. Whether it's big or small, we procrastinate too much throughout the process. We're looking for perfection - exactly the right change with perfect timing. There's my point - stop chasing perfection, but don't slow down on continuing to set high goals. Whether it's running your business, working with clients, raising the bar on your skill set, or simply recognizing what it takes to make you smile every day, all you can do is your best. And if something is slowing you down, then just like a garden, it might be time to do a little pruning! Perfection is an illusion.
If we keep waiting for the stars to align, we will reach the end of our lives regretting that we never tried. Stop the waiting game and take action toward the change you want. Emily Silva  “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Simon Sinek by Skip Cohen
It's "Hump Day," and I brought this topic back from the archives because, at this time of year, even though business is ramping up and in full swing through seasonality, it's a time when everyone starts to get a little reflective. We're closing out one year and heading into a new one, and it's a time when so many of us ponder our "why?" We're looking at everything we do and often wondering if it's time for a change. Is it time to change direction, expand into other areas of expertise, and the BIG question, are we happy in what we're doing? It's an endless process, but a necessity to help avoid complacency and stimulate creativity. But finding our "why" isn't exclusive to our careers. There's the importance of sharing our "why" with the people we're trying to attract. As photographers, your target audience needs to understand your "why?". They don't care what awards you've won, what gear you have, or how your grandfather gave you your first camera. They want to know "why?" you love being a photographer and if you can be trusted to capture the kinds of images they want. Too many of you write your bios without considering your audience. When it's time to open your heart, you submerge yourself in meaningless factoids about your skills. If they're reading your bio, they're already interested in getting to know you better - don't bury them in your list of print competition awards, gear details, and the history of your business. Tell them why you love imaging. Share why your clients trust you to capture what's in their hearts. It's the "why" that makes us all more interesting. It's the "why" that makes my story different from yours. It's the "why" that takes millions of stories from people worldwide and gives them color, emotion, and commitment. In terms of my "why," I simply love imaging and the business of helping more people understand its importance. Even in my volunteer work in support of the fight against Alzheimer's, imaging plays a special role with the interaction between patients dealing with the disease and the memories old photographs bring back. Stop worrying about "what" you do and start sharing with people "why" you do it. The "what" comes from your left brain and is a series of cut-and-dry statements; the "why" comes from your right brain and is all about your personality, passion, and emotion. Plus, your "why" is unique, while your "what" is often the same as everybody else's. Happy Hump Day!  You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself. Diana Ross  by Skip Cohen
It's Hump Day and time for a short post that hopefully gets you thinking about another aspect of your career, your vision for the future. Last week I shared a post related to goal-setting, but the quote above is about taking action! We all get caught up in the day-in-day-out challenge of putting out fires and cleaning up potential messes. Like many of you, there are days when I feel like the guy with the broom and shovel behind the elephants in the Circus Day Parade! On those days, I rarely get a chance to think about my dreams. And yes, even old farts like me still have dreams and a bucket list of things we want to do. But here's my point today - the only one who can make your dreams come true is you! Sure, you can sit and wait for the tooth fairy, but you'll achieve a lot more if you take action. When sharing the quote above, author Lou Mitchell wrote: Achieving your dreams requires more than patience and hope; it demands action, determination, and perseverance. Waiting for opportunities to come to you can lead to missed chances and unfulfilled potential...set clear intentions, take concrete steps forward, and remain resilient in the face of challenges. By creating your own path, you not only empower yourself but you also open doors to new possibilities and experience. Taking initiative is a powerful way to turn dreams into reality. Remember, doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will!   by Skip Cohen
Based on the way the "kids" are behaving in the government these days, I have a list of responses I'd like to share. It's just for my personal therapy and I need to vent a little. Like most of you, I can't believe what's going on...in fact, every day there's one more thing I catch in the news that's simply embarrassing.
And there you have it...a few minutes of sarcasm connected to all the nonsense that's in the news. Every day, it becomes increasingly unbelievable. Happy Hump Day! |
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