Know Somebody Who's Stuck on an Escalator?

by Skip Cohen

Forty years ago, at a Polaroid meeting, one of the managers was late. Someone yelled, "The power went out People were asking where he was when someone yelled out, "He's stuck on the escalator!" That set off a lot of chuckles. 

While looking through some old posts this morning, I ran across the escalator story I shared ten years ago. It's still so relevant, especially when I found the original video on YouTube. And while the quality isn't as great as what we're used to, it still makes the point!

Most of you know where I'm going on this one...

If we learned nothing else through the pandemic, learning to pivot is one of your most valuable business skills. Stop acting like you're stuck on the escalator when something doesn't go as planned! Over and over again, I keep running into new and well-seasoned photographers who simply hit the panic button when something doesn't go as planned. We're an industry with too many "Chicken Littles," and the sky is NEVER falling.

When you don't get the results you hoped for, you get to take a "mulligan" and another swing at the ball. It's not your only shot. Yes, there are some projects with more on the line than others, but the most remarkable thing about being an entrepreneur is having a chance to try things a different way.

One more analogy: Learning how to scuba dive isn't about swimming underwater. In fact, it's a relatively easy sport to pick up.  Learning to dive is really about knowing what to do when something goes wrong. In the same respect, being a professional photographer is all about knowing what to do when something doesn't go as planned - it's the reason to ensure your skill set is the best. f

You will make mistakes with marketing, promotions, social media, your blog, your website, and running a business. People are going to let you down. You're going to have moments of disappointment. Here's where all those trite one-liners about falling and getting up come into play.

Even more important is the way your network can be involved. Keep building your network and, in turn, utilize it when you need support. Don't be afraid to hit the "help button" and, oh yeah...I'm in your network, too. If you're stuck and need help, ask for it!

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