The Key To Dealing With the Challenges of Being a Photographer, Artist and Business Owner

7/14/2018

Please note: I don't usually post on Saturdays, and on Sunday, it's just one post, Sunday Morning Reflections. However, I was looking through my archives and stumbled across this one from 2014. It's perfect to share right now, but even better are the comments that were written at the time.

If you need a little lift today, I'm hoping this does the same thing for you that it did for me, especially the comments. Check them out and feel free to add to them - Meanwhile, wishing all of you a terrific day and time to pat yourself on the back a little for staying focused on your dreams!

My wife, Sheila, got me into feeding my long-time starving spiritual side several years ago. Since then writers like Melody Beattie and Marianne Williamson have become regular reading. Well, yesterday I read something Melody Beattie wrote:

"Problems were made to be solved. Life was made to be lived. Although sometimes we may be in over our heads-yes, we may even go under for a few moments and gulp a few mouthfuls of water, we won't drown. We're wearing- and always have been wearing - a life jacket. That support jacked is called "God".

Okay, so I know at this point a few of you are rolling your eyes, because I've committed one of the things you're never supposed to do in a post...talk about God or politics. Well, if you don't like the God reference then replace it with "believing in yourself" or "faith". I'm not going to get in an argument over my belief in God, yours or for that matter semantics. Melody's point is right on the money, because we won't drown, life was certainly meant to be lived and every problem has a solution.

Another thing I believe in is every one of you who are dealing with the day in day out challenges of running a business and building your brand as an artist. I'm proud to be working with so many of you to help you build a stronger business and skill set. My frustration comes out of those moments when I hear about somebody giving up, because of the challenges. I especially hate hearing stories about friends who have family members who don't support their dreams, letting their negativity spill over into your world and creating one more hurdle to test your passion.

I don't know about you, but in high school I remember Algebra and a chemistry class where, on the first day, I looked at the back of the book to see how hard things were going to be. It scared me every time, but after a school year of the stuff, it meant absolutely nothing. Instead of worrying about how much you don't know, give yourself a big pat on the back for how much you've learned and are applying right now!

I found a quote that will hopefully help a few of you to keep things in perspective. Don't get hung up on your challenges. they're all part of growing a business.

The struggle you're in today is creating the strength you need for tomorrow!
Daily Quotes - no author listed

7 Comments

"Why?"

Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.

Gary Silber link

7/30/2014 02:12:40 am

The political correctness of not mentioning or acknowledging God is one enormous reason our society is in a tail spin. If clients don't want to come to us because we acknowledge or mention God, so be it. Geoege Washington , Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln all believed in and celebrated our dependence on God. They didn't hide their faith. We aren't going to either to avoid offending Athiests.

Brian mcmillen link

7/30/2014 03:43:09 am

Great post to read! Sometimes all you can do is have faith in something no matter what it is ( yourself, god ) whatever just have faith and work it out is all you can do!

Laura link

7/30/2014 03:48:15 am

I agree 110% with what Gary said.... Those who have a problem with my faith are free to go somewhere else. They have the right to choose . And I believe I still have the right to voice my beliefs....

Mindy Towns link

7/30/2014 08:38:05 am

Perfect timing.... your post is just what I needed today!

Cindy Quinn link

7/30/2014 06:40:31 pm

I love the quote "The struggle you're in today is creating the strength you need for tomorrow!" Every day I finding that I am in a juggling act of learning so many new things. It's wonderful to think that the road will get easier and these challenges will only strengthen me for tomorrow. I heard one of the owners of Junebug say to be kind and gentle with ourselves. Make a list of what needs to be done and take things one at a time. It will all get done, be proud of what we have accomplished and face every new challenge with patience and kindness to ourselves, as it takes time to learn anything new.

Michael Novo link

7/31/2014 02:30:56 am

To put it simply, if we compare to a workout with the weights or stairmaster being the negative people (constructive and destructive) and then having that new smaller pair of pants fit after be the positive and supporting people in your life. One doesn't really work without the other. If we spend all the time in the gym with no positive then we'll quit. And at the same time if we have too much positive then there will be little or no need to push ourselves.

The secret is to take the negative and just understand that it's part of the process. Don't totally eliminate it, but use it in your favor. Those waves that pull you down can either drown you, or can give you the opportunity to be stronger when you come out the other side. But the key is that once you're a ways down the road and all fit and in shape...don't forget to still keep going back to the gym to maintain what you worked so hard to accomplish. That can be the difficult part too.

Charlie

7/15/2018 05:52:58 pm

great post today it was just what I needed including the God reference keep them up they are very much appreciated

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

the SCU Blog