Is It Time for a Change?

My boss told me to have a good day,
so I went home!
CatalogFavorites.com

by Skip Cohen

​This will seem like a stretch to start, but trust me, it'll make sense in another paragraph or two. It began with a catalog loaded with t-shirts and some great one-liners. The quote above was worth a chuckle..., but at the same time, it got me thinking about so many of you who have "painted yourself into a corner."

It's Friday of a holiday weekend, and it's also the end of Mental Health Awareness Month. So if you're feeling stuck in a dead-end career, job or just frustrated because too often things don't work out the way you anticipated, here are some ideas...

• Where's Your Heart? You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it! True creativity comes from the heart. You have to believe in yourself, and be willing to push the edge of the envelope. It all starts with loving what you're doing.
• Take a Day Off: If you hate what you're doing, then it's time to make a change. Start with today, and give yourself a mental health day. Just take a break. Don't think about anything but what you love doing the most. Sometimes it can be that simple. But it all starts with you recognizing stress before you crash and burn! 
• Special Projects: Guests on numerous podcasts over the years have talked about the importance of special projects. Find something you love to photograph that's right in your wheelhouse. The best examples are a few underclass photographers I've met over the years who were tired of photographing kids all day long, but it's a great business and more than paid the bills. In each case, they had a backup project or two - landscape, macro/closeup, and even night photography. They hadn't lost their love for imaging, but needed an alternative to keep their creativity at the max! My good buddy, Matthew Jordan Smith, has repeatedly shared ideas on personal projects over the years on several different podcasts. You'll find several different conversations just a click away.
• Be Active in the Imaging Community! Whether a local camera club, PPA affiliate, workshop, or convention, get back in the groove with other artists. Last January, the best thing about IUSA wasn't just how good the convention was but the energy in the air from all of us being together. Look for those opportunities on the calendar bringing photographers together. ClickCon, for example, is coming up in June in Chicago, and KelbyOne has online events every couple of months.
• Use Your Network: That inner circle of the people you trust most isn't there just to look at! We've all got a handful of people who believe in us. Take the time to open your heart and share your frustrations with them. I know when I'm frustrated with work, nobody can help me sort things out more than my wife, Sheila.

No one blog post could cover it all. I've just scratched the surface, but here's my point: Nothing is ever cast in concrete in this industry. And when you feel like you're off a beat and just can't figure out why, stop, step back and take the time to find what's missing. We're all too close to our own businesses, and sometimes it just takes a new perspective.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you're doing, you will be successful.
Albert Schweitzer

Wishing everybody a terrific holiday weekend!