Perspective. Having perspective on a situation is not exactly a skill of mine. I get caught up in the details, get caught up in the emotions, get caught up in what is happening right now.
So perspective is something I am working on, and right now I am trying to gain perspective on the concept that running a business (and life in general) is full of a million little successes and failures.
My internal monologue usually looks something like this: — Yay! I got an inquiry today. I am going to be a full time photographer and take this business by storm! — Uggggg, they didn’t book. My business is failing. My life is over. Everything just sucks and it is always going to. — A bit of a roller coaster, yeah!?!
And yet, despite this see-saw of emotions, new opportunities keep presenting themselves, and the business keeps growing. Putting one foot in front of the other in a continual effort towards the goal actually makes things happen. Maybe not always as quickly as I would like, but still, things are happening.
I truly believe that if we know the goal and are chipping away at achieving it, you will reach your dreams and more and more unplanned opportunities will present themselves.
So… I am going to try and silence the see-saw for a while. Instead, I am going to look for perspective, notice how far I have actually come in the last year, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and keep my eyes and ears open for any unexpected opportunity that lines up with my goal. I’m calling you out 2012. You are going to be my year. At least I am going to pay more attention to the successes than the failures, so whatever happens, it is going to feel like my year.
P.S. If you have thoughts or if this resonates with you at all, I would love to hear what you have to say in the comments 🙂
I totally hear what you are saying! I try to focus on the positives and the things that move the business forward, but the negative thoughts inevitably sneak in. You've got the right idea, and I'm sure 2012 has much in store for you!