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.

Build your own dreams, or somebody else will hire you to build theirs.
Farrah Gray

by Skip Cohen

Ever had an idea of something you wanted to do, but pondered so long that you missed the window of opportunity? While I've written more than once that procrastination isn't a strategy, sometimes it's hard to practice what you preach.

Well, at 4:00 am this morning, I had an idea of something I want to do business-wise, and I've been on fire ever since. When I say "on fire," it just means I'm in the planning and review mode; lots of energy with no complacency. I'm the kid in Animal House with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. The good news is the devil is just throwing out challenges of everything that won't work...while the angel is helping me hold focus.

Put all that together, while I'm not ready to share what I'm thinking about, the process itself is about finding the energy for a mini-dream.

You're never to old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis

Here's the challenge I've had lately...it's about aging. While I've slowed down on many aspects of my business, I'm not "done" yet. There are still a few ideas bouncing around in my head. Just putting them down on paper is energizing - now comes the challenge of doing a lifeboat drill - figuring out what makes it into the boat and what doesn't.

I've had challenges like this before...In 2009, I decided to leave WPPI/Rangefinder Publishing and start my own company. When Sheila confronted me and asked, "What are you afraid of?" My answer was immediate, "Failing." Later in 2013, Sheila found me in the middle of the night in my home office with a dry-erase board covered with ideas that evolved into Skip Cohen University and this blog.

Here's my point--If you've got an idea that's been hanging around long enough to appear more than just a few times in your thoughts and conversations with friends, then it's time to pursue it. Don't let it stagnate and get buried under the stress of life. Like the Nike slogan: Just do it!

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead and time to do some daydreaming.

You have exactly one life in which to do everything you'll ever do. 
Act accordingly!
Colin Wright

We're moving into a new year and it's another leap of faith.
But, it's a whole lot easier if you believe in yourself!
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

We've been in a new year for almost four months, but we're moving into prime seasonality. The bottom line - You have to have faith in yourself.  You have to believe in what you’re doing.  You have to understand not only the craft, but the human spirit. And, it’s the human spirit that should be at the top of your list.

For most of us, the definition of the ultimate photograph is one that moves people. You can’t move people and create images that tug at their hearts if you’re not comfortable with your own heart.  So, it all becomes sort of obvious – it’s faith in yourself that creates confidence and builds your strength of character and gets your heart where it should be.

The challenges in the outside world right now border on being overwhelming. All of us are at times filled with doubt as a result of so many things outside our control. But what is in control is your faith as an artist!

1. No career field, with the exception of modern medicine, gives the world what photographers do!  What would a newspaper look like without photography?  Or, a wedding album? The list goes on and on.
2. A wedding album is the first family heirloom of a brand-new family! The dress will never be worn again.  The food is gone.  The band has stopped playing, but the wedding album will last forever, sadly,  longer than half the marriages performed today.
3. Your images capture memories. You’re the eyes of your client.  You’ve been hired to capture the moments they missed, whether it’s at a wedding or a "day in the life" shoot of their children.
4. Your clients have hired you because they trust you. Think about the meaning of the word “trust”.  No matter what you’ve ever done in your life, right or wrong, here’s somebody who has simply put their faith and trust in your abilities to tell their story.

And for those of you who think you're going to be replaced by AI...it still takes a master storyteller to capture memories, regardless of the tools you use to create the finished product. I’m constantly accused of being one of the industry cheerleaders, but honestly, this is an easy job.  What could be more incredible than working with people who put their trust in you?  What could be a more wonderful job than being a storyteller?

Nobody can teach you to have faith in yourself – it’s caught, not taught.  So, how to catch it and keep it?  Stay focused on your career path and your subjects.  Learn every possible technique you can.  Make it a point to understand photography before you push the shutter button. Know your gear – know your lighting – know your lab – know your clients.  And never ever compromise on quality!

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created.  It is a major force in explaining man to man." Edward Steichen:  

"I wish more people felt that photography was an adventure, the same as life itself, and felt that their individual feelings were worth expressing.  To me, that makes photography more exciting!" Harry Callahan

The three big ones in life are wealth, health, and happiness.
We pursue them in that order, but their importance is in the reverse order.
Naval Ravikan

by Skip Cohen

Whether you're celebrating Passover or Easter, it makes no difference - Wishing you a peaceful, safe, and healthy holiday weekend ahead. The world is upside down, but that won't slow down Spring, and it doesn't need to dampen your spirits and faith that things are going to get better.

This weekend, try to shut out the noise and appreciate what makes your heart soar. It may sound sappy, but maybe that's what we need today—more sentimentality and a focus on what truly matters, together with the people who have helped to make us who we are.

Happy Passover...Happy Easter...Welcome Spring!

Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers.
Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.
Luther Burbank
​

Whatever you do, you need courage.
Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you're wrong.
There are always difficulties arsing which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.
To map out a course of action and follow it to the end
requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and just for a change, I wandered through my bookshelf and pulled out a Walk the Talk book. Years ago, I bought a set of them to help me find more motivation when I was struggling with a challenge.

In the past, I would have shared the quote above for those of you dealing with major decisions about your business and career. But in all honesty - with the world currently upside down, we're all having to dig deep to find the courage to not give up the fight.

So whether your fight is within your heart in dealing with skepticism from people who don't believe in you, or you're having trouble dealing with the insanity in the world, starting in D.C, no matter what you're feeling, you need courage. We all still need to believe in each other and do everything we can, in our own communities, to prevent anything or anyone from undermining our values.

Wishing everyone a great day and the courage to focus on what matters most.

"The darkest nights produce the brightest sunrises."
Unknown

Despite everything that's wrong—or at the very least challenging—in my life, so much is right. Yet, amid the stress of living, I've wasted too much time focusing on what's missing instead of what's in front of me. Maybe the difference between a curmudgeon and a dreamer is simply more sunrises. Perhaps how a day starts matters more than watching the sun drop below the horizon.

I recognize that I'm sounding a little too much like Jack Handy from years back with SNL, but this morning I have a feeling I don't want to lose. I can choose to celebrate that thorns have roses, or be miserable because roses have thorns—it's all in perspective.

Wishing everyone a day filled with memory-making moments and inner peace. Treasure those who bring you happiness, and share an eleven-second hug with the one who matters most. Make today meaningful.

Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it!
Skip Cohen

by Skip Cohen

I've made that statement a few times over the years, and it's so true. As a professional photographer, you've chosen a career path that requires interaction with clients, whether they're in front of your camera or interacting in business negotiations.

With the time change last weekend, I'm having a harder time than before adjusting to waking up in the morning. I was trying to sleep in a little this morning, getting up at almost 7:30 rather than the usual 6:30. What got me up was the noise of a delivery truck backing up across the street and the annoying beep.

Wouldn’t it be great if the human body was equipped with a backup signal?  All we need is a simple device that just lets people know we’re “backing up”. The more I thought about it, the more I realized the problem. It isn’t letting people know we’re backing up, it’s accepting that we should back up in the first place!

I’ve seen so many photographers, determined to stay on the path they’ve chosen, who are miserable. They’re determined to prove a point and stay true to the road they’ve chosen to travel when a slight turn or even starting the journey over would put a smile back on their face.

I’ve met wedding photographers who admit they hate weddings and “would have loved to be shooting commercial work, but the money just wasn’t there!”  I’ve talked with studio photographers doing portraits who wish they had “the variety of situations wedding photographers get to enjoy!”  Then there are thousands of photographers who insist on running EVERY aspect of their business, never considering outsourcing tasks that take them away from what should be their core, shooting and marketing themselves.

Here’s my point:

Don’t be afraid to change paths. Stop feeling like you have to not only inform the world but also get everyone’s opinion. You need to believe in yourself!

Many years ago, my good buddy, Matthew Jordan Smith, when I asked him for a quote for new photographers just starting out, said, “You’ve got to find your own voice!” I guess I want to change that slightly – yes, you have to find your own voice, but then you have to listen to it!

You can’t please everybody, and you’re only one person. The only person you really have to keep happy is the one looking back at you every morning in the mirror. So, if along the way you have to change your path to increase your personal satisfaction, then go for it!

Your most important client is YOU!

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass.
​It's about learning how to dance in the rain.
Vivian Green

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and even if you're relatively new to following this blog, you know that one day a week, I go with whatever's on my mind. And even though one of the fundamental rules of social media is to not get too personal, that's what Sunday Morning Reflections are all about.

I first read the quote above many years ago, and it became part of my personal mantra, along with I do it because I can, I can because I want to, I want to because you said I couldn't! Whatever the crisis I was dealing with, whether personal or business, my goal was to always be dancing in the rain. But as I look back on the last year or so, I'm hardly alone - everyone is living in a flood zone!

No matter who you are, when or where you grew up, everyone has someone who tried to teach them any one of dozens of one-liner how-to-live-your-life quotes. One of my grandmothers loved "Every cloud has a silver lining," while the other was "A stitch in time saves nine," and "Don't cry over spilled milk." The list goes on and on.

We're living in a volatile world, and EVERYONE has been learning to dance in the rain. From a government that's forgotten about "We the People" to the challenges in the economy, the war in Iran, and Mother Nature's wrath with plenty of real rain and severe storms, we could all win "Dancing With the Stars" based on how we deal with each new challenge.

With the quote above, Lou Mitchell wrote, ...Instead of postponing happiness until the perfect moment, find joy amid the chaos. Learn to adapt, grow, and find beauty even in the stormiest times. This mindset shift can transform how we experience life, allowing us to thrive regardless of circumstances.  

And there's my point this wonderful-to-be-alive Sunday morning. They say that with age comes wisdom. In all honesty, I don't think it's wisdom so much as the ever-growing list of experiences, the people we meet, and the shifting priorities in our lives. I've learned that I could never stay positive by myself - it really does "take a village."

For me, that village is Sheila, two pups, and a very small group of very special friends.  It's about appreciating every day, and those intense walks down Memory Lane. I've learned to savor my past, and so many people who came into my life along parts of my journey I never anticipated. And looking forward to the future, I cherish each morning with the enthusiasm of a little kid wondering what the day ahead is going to bring.

It's hard not to get sappy this morning, because even with the highs and lows, I love my life. It's not the life I imagined I'd have, and I hate being estranged from my family, but that doesn't take away from how lucky and blessed I feel for everything I have.  Each of us has a different story to share, and nobody got here today following the same path as anybody else. Yet here I am, happy, content, and so grateful for how many of you have played a role.

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with peace and positivity. In a world that's upside down, each of us can only work on our little piece of it. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, and with your "huggee," think about how important they are in your life. What would your life be like without them? Better yet, how can life get even better with them in it?

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

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.

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!

One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter.
Françoise Sagan

by Skip Cohen

From Google AI: The phrase "laughter is the best medicine" is a widely recognized idiom suggesting that humor and joy have therapeutic benefits for physical and mental health. 

The world is upside down, the economy is uncertain, we've pissed off Mother Nature, and we've got a government that's forgotten about "We the People," but that doesn't change the responsibility each of us has for our own health and immediate environment. Nothing helps improve life more than laughter!

After reading the quote above, I stepped away from "doom-scrolling" and wandered through my archives, both on my computer and on my phone. I grabbed a few of my favorites in screenshots. As I expected, each shot brought back memories. Within a few minutes I had a huge smile on my face, and, like a lunatic, I found myself laughing out loud!

The key to unlocking the grip the outside world had on my heart this morning was my collection of photographs from past good times. My Houdini-like escape from the clutches of current events and things everybody keeps telling me I should worry about was all thanks to good friends, Sheila, two pups, and laughter.

You can't put your head in the sand regarding what's going on in the outside world, but you can laugh at it whenever an opportunity comes by. One of the things we like about "Nightly News with Tom Llamas" is that they always close the broadcast with something good going on in the world. It leaves you with a choice to make - be "Chicken Little" and panic over the sky falling, or grab a handful of Alfred E. Neuman philosophy and take a break from worrying about things you can't control.

That brings me full circle to my point - too many of us are taking life too seriously. I'm just as aggravated over current events as anybody else, but I want to take the time to smell the roses and appreciate all the things in life that still make me smile. It's the one way to keep the trolls of the world  from winning!

Wishing everybody an outstanding weekend ahead. Take the time to laugh, but more importantly, pay attention to the people who make you smile. They're the ones you enjoy the most. You need to focus on how they contribute to making your life unique and something to cherish every day!

Happy Friday!

You have to be at peace with yourself. I love to laugh. I think laughter can cure.
You can see it in a person's face. Around age forty, when your face has lost the glow of youth,
what you are inside starts to form on the outside. Either the lines go up or they go down.
If they go up, that's a good sign.
Elizabeth Taylor

You are one decision away from a completely different life.
Mel Robbins

by Skip Cohen

It's Friday, and I like to keep it relatively light to wrap up the week. When I read the quote above, it hit me how often I've heard somebody say, "It was a great change. I wish I'd done it earlier!"

So many of us are afraid of betting on the wrong horse. We stall, procrastinate, and find one excuse after another to rationalize decisions we know we should be making to change some aspect of our life.

In 2009, I decided to start out on my own. I wanted to know if I'd learned enough about business over my career to fly solo. I remember Sheila asking me, "What are you afraid of?" My answer was immediate, "Failing." That was 17 years ago next month, and while I wish I had done it earlier, I simply wasn't ready. But when it's right, as sappy as it sounds, you can feel it in your heart.

The bottom line? Don't let fear of change stand in the way of your dreams and goals. And most important of all, none of us are truly alone. Share your ideas with those core people in your network, the ones you trust the most. They're part of your world because they trust you, just like you trust them.

With the quote above, author Lou Mitchell wrote: Whether it's a career move, a change in mindset, or taking a bold step towards a dream, one decisive action can set the stage for a new beginning and a different future.

Last but not least, here's another quote I've found helpful over the years, although I don't know where it came from originally:

I do it because I can.
I can because I want to.
I want to because you said I couldn't!
Unknown Author

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead. Be safe, stay warm and make those memories with great backstories that will come out in the years ahead.

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.

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

​This has been a tough week for everybody, but for me, the challenge was in two parts. First, I got back into doomscrolling and became obsessed with the news. I repeatedly found myself, like so many of you, frustrated over the political scene and what's happened, especially in Minneapolis. Second, I didn't know how to write about anything without referencing what's happening in the world. I would have been sharing the same thoughts you'd already seen a thousand times elsewhere.

Well, it's Friday, and I want to wrap up this lost week with something to think about that's not political and that gives you ideas to consider for the year ahead, the ingredients for success. When you search Adobe Stock for illustrations involving the "keys to success" so many of the images are old style skeleton keys. I find that ironic in that they're old keys, which to me confirms the ingredients for success haven't changed in hundreds of years.

In the process of putting together my "Focus on Success" series, I ran across this short piece thanks to Google AI:

The "7 keys to success" vary by source, but commonly include Commitment, Persistence, Passion, and an Open Mind, often paired with Faith/Self-Confidence, Flexibility/Adaptability, and Gratitude or Discipline, focusing on purpose, growth, and consistent action rather than just material wealth. These principles guide individuals to define goals, stay resilient through challenges, learn continuously, and build strong character to achieve lasting fulfillment.

When I was in junior high, the basketball coach had a sign in his office that said, Winning is 90% motivation and only 10% ability.  That's really the key, which to me all falls under the passion heading.

As we head into this weekend, think about your own profile for being successful in the year ahead. You have the commitment, or you wouldn't be reading today's post. Now mix in your ability to stay focused on how persistent you're going be in good times and bad, your love for the craft, and your ability to keep an open mind and step outside your comfort zone, especially when listening to your clients and meeting their mindsets.

Technology never stands still, and especially in imaging today, your education NEVER stops. Most important of all - when you feel so challenged that your resilience is slipping, don't be afraid to ask for help. Building your business and brand awareness is a never-ending process, but you don't have to do it alone. Stop thinking you have to fly solo!

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead. Stay warm and safe...We've managed to thoroughly piss off Mother Nature, and watching the weather report is like an old Freddy Kruerger horror film. Even here in Florida, there's a 10% chance of snow on Sunday night!

​Happy Friday!

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now!
Chinese Proverb

by Skip Cohen

I usually try to keep it relatively short on Fridays. Finding the quote above hit home as the perfect thought for this time of year. So many of you, me included, procrastinate away great ideas that got stuck on the "back burner."

Think about some of the ideas you've had over the years that never became reality. So what if you didn't "plant that tree" 20 years ago - great ideas rarely have expiration dates. It's never too late to tackle a new vision.

Change. But start slowly, because direction is more important than speed.
Paulo Coelho

by Skip Cohen

​Along with wishing everybody a Happy New Year, I wanted to share the quote above from Lou Mitchell's book, Positive Thinking. Sheila and I read something motivational every morning, and this is my new book for 2026. But it was what he wrote after the quote that was just as meaningful...

...The excitement of New Year's resolutions often makes us want to transform our lives overnight. However, meaningful and lasting change comes from understanding our true goals and taking deliberate steps toward them.

As you make plans for the new year, ask yourself: What direction do I truly want my life to take? Are my goals aligned with my core values and passions? What small, meaningful steps can I take today to make sure I'm moving in the right direction?

There's nothing more to add, except to wish all of you a wonderful start to the new year. For most of us, going into this weekend is the perfect time to kick back a little and just chill. It's the ideal time to ask that age-old question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

​Happy New Year!
​

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.

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!

Life is long if you know how to use it.
Seneca

by Skip Cohen

I'm not sure how long ago it started, but Sheila and I both have motivational books with daily passages we share every morning after breakfast. We started with Melody Beattie's readings many years ago, and our routine has evolved to include books by a variety of motivational writers. This year, my book was The Daily Stoic, which, at times, is a little difficult to get into.

However, yesterday's meditation really hit home:

They say age is just a number, but to some people it's a very important one -- otherwise, women wouldn't lie about being younger, and ambitious young men wouldn't lie about being older. Rich people and health nuts spend billions of dollars in an effort to move the expiration date from around seventy-eight years to hopefully forever.

The number of years we manage to eke out doesn't matter, only what those years are composed of. Sadly most people waste the life they've been given. Only when it is too late do they try to compensate for that waste by vainly hoping to put more time on the clock.

Looking back over the years, there were plenty of times that I wasted various aspects of my life and opportunities. Whatever issues were eating up the clock always seemed so relevant. Now, years later, looking back, they seem so irrelevant.

They say that with age comes wisdom. But is it really wisdom or just the variety of experiences that come into our lives the longer we're on the planet? I do know that I'm not interested in putting "more time on the clock," just the joy of appreciating everything and everyone in my life today.

I've written a lot about aging over the last few years. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate days when I don't creak for the first ten minutes of waking up in the morning. It's true: "age is just a number," but as we get older, so do all our friends... and the older we get, the more friends we lose.

With each loss, there's always a period of reflection, filled with memories and what we've learned on life's journey, thanks to the departed. For me, and I'm guessing many of you, it starts with surprise and sometimes shock, then come the tears, followed by the memories and most often smiles and especially stories from the past.

The closer the friendship with whoever we've lost, the bigger the hole in our hearts, and the more stories and thoughts we share as we all take the same generic trip down Memory Lane. While sadness is always an ingredient, it brings with it such prolific memories and, yes, wisdom.

Here's my point this morning... don't waste time worrying about the past; you can't change it. Appreciate your "right now," and the love for great friends and family who create a never-ending supply of memories and that contribute to building your outlook on life.

Abraham Lincoln wrote: It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.

I'm proud to be at the age where I'm considered an old fart. I'm also proud of the life Sheila and I have built together that includes some pretty remarkable friends and two knucklehead pups, Lucy and Belle. It's not always easy or fun, but it's a life well-lived and loaded with an endless supply of memories.
​
Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, authors of the The Daily Stoic, went on to write:

Wishing all of you a day ahead that's filled with memory-making events. It's a busy hectic time of year, but there's always time for hugs and an appreciation for the time we've each been given. I know it sounds pretty sappy, but don't lose focus on those things that make your heart soar and put a smile on your face. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've written about for years with the people you love the most. Last but not least, cherish everything you have!

Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

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:

• Origin: The expression became popular in the U.S., with some sources pointing to the 1950s as a time it started being used to add enthusiasm to the mid-week grind.
• Psychological Boost: It serves as a reminder that you're more than halfway through, providing a psychological lift and a reason to celebrate making it to the midpoint.
• Metaphorical Hill: Think of the workweek as a mountain. Monday is the start, Tuesday is climbing, Wednesday is cresting the top, and from Thursday on, you're coasting down towards the weekend.

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!

What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose,
for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
Helen Keller

Normally, as we approach the end of the year, I'd be posting ideas on marketing and last-minute things to consider for a strong finish. But in all honesty, I'm not sure what else I can write about that hasn't repeatedly been covered.

I decided to take today to be a little more reflective and ran across the quote above. Helen Keller's words support my favorite quote: "I am a part of all that I have met."  All of us have friends and family who are no longer here with us physically, but their influence remains a part of us.

Love's enduring power provides comfort and strength, reminding us that
cherished memories and connections continue to live within us.
Lou Mitchell

Amidst the chaos of the year's close, it's so appropriate to take a little time and expand your focus beyond the "home stretch." As sappy as it all sounds, it's like playing the Kevin Bacon degrees of separation game. We're all ultimately connected to the people who have come into our lives and touched our hearts. It's their influence that's partly responsible for that drive that keeps us going.

Here's my point...as the year comes to an end and a new year is just a few weeks away, this is a time to reflect on your "village." You didn't get to today by yourself, but with the help and love of family, friends, associates, and a passion for the craft that became a career.

​Wishing everybody a great week ahead in the countdown for 2025!