Week 8 - You Can Do It!

This week’s materials focused on overcoming challenges, something we will all struggle with throughout our personal lives and our professional endeavors. Our class discussion board not only provided useful information, tips and tricks for overcoming obstacles, but it gave us each a new perspective of our own individual journey. Learning that everyone has struggles (many similar to our own) helps us to feel a sense of comradery and to understand that our challenges are opportunities to grow and push us towards our true potential.

My greatest challenge in business is doubting myself. I have a unique ability to present feigned confidence while I’m internally struggling to keep it together. I experience this most often in my role of photographer. I have extensive training and experience and have worked hard to cultivate an impressive portfolio. My business relies solely on repeat customers and referrals – I do not advertise and often am so busy that I have to turn down new clients. And yet, every single time I arrive at a photoshoot, I am filled with self-doubt. What if the shoot doesn’t go well? What if I’m unable to connect with my clients? What if they hate the end product? The best way that I have found to work through it has been to simply push ahead – and it’s always worked. Watching the video "You Can Do Anything" this week helped reinforce this strategy as beneficial for my particular challenge of self-doubt. My greatest wish is that I could learn to appreciate my talent and trust it.

My husband has been a huge part of my success by serving as my ‘hype-man.’ He is constantly talking me through my doubts (often as I’m on my way to a shoot). He points out that customers hire me based on my body of work, they like what I do and hired me because of what I can produce. He reminds me that my value isn’t based on a single photo or session, but on how I can connect with my clients and give them the experience they’re looking for. He reassures me that I am capable, talented and worth the cost of my services.

I have found that the best way I can be helped by others is to surround myself with people who support my dreams, who offer constructive suggestions and who have the ability to notice successes that I may have overlooked. As I have recognized the enormous amount of support that I have received, I am inspired to do the same for others. Our lives are made so much more enjoyable and endurable when we surround ourselves with a team that uplifts and encourages us to work through challenges and recognize our potential and promise.