Photographers: Doing What You Love

© pathdoc

Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life!
Confucius

There are some incredible benefits to attending any large convention - the opportunity to meet new people, catch up with friends and watch some of your favorite icons in action. Just walking around the trade show floor of IUSA the last few days I caught Jeremy Cowart, Clay Blackmore, Bobbi Lane, Peter Hurley, Suzette Allen and Michele Celentano, just to name a few.

Well, it got me thinking about the character traits of the icons in the industry, many of them, the people I respect the most. They all have a common trait; they love what they're doing!  They're always happy when I see them, talk to them, look at their images or listen to one of their webinars or podcasts. Their enthusiasm is infectious.  You can't help but smile back whether literally or figuratively. 

Think about some of these people for a minute. Has anyone ever seen Michele Celentano miserable? Think Clay Blackmore has ever kicked a puppy? Ever asked Suzette Allen a question and had her ignore you? Ever seen Bobbi Lane slow down? The list could go on and on with people we admire, people who have made it a point to love what they're doing. Every day for them is another new adventure.

I've got one point this morning - if you're not happy in what you're doing then what are you doing to change it? I'm not talking about hating some of the tasks you have to do. We all have things we hate doing. I'm talking about finding the one thing that makes you love waking up every day! How are you going to build a life that puts a never-ending goofy smile on your face?

People often tell me I "seem so happy".  That's because I am!  It took me years to figure it out, but I made some changes in my life and took back the control I'd given up. I'm not suggesting it was easy, but I couldn't have done it by myself. You can't make life changes in a bubble - you need a solid sounding board, a partner, a spouse, a friend or a family member. You need somebody in your life you can babble endlessly to, and they won't have you committed!

So, it's time to subscribe to the To-Thine-Ownself-Be-True Club. You don't have to make the changes all at once, but I can promise you that just starting to put together a plan with a timeline will renew your energy and help you develop a more positive outlook. Best of all, photography couldn't be a better choice for your future!

And for those of you who are happy and love what you're doing - it's take-a-person-with-an-unhappy-career-choice to lunch week! I know it sounds hokey, but give me a hand and let's help more people realize their dreams!

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