When You Feel Like Giving Up...
In addition to being a photographer and running this business, I'm also a homeschooling mom.
Homeschooling my kids was something I never planned on doing, but when Covid went down in 2020, we felt that was the best option. We've kept with it since then.
Some days are wonderful.
Other days, I want to pull my hair out!
Not to get too personal, but the last few weeks have been a little bit, a tad, extremely challenging with my 10 year old.
We were butting heads left and right and no one was having any fun.
He got angry. I got angry. I wanted to give up all together with homeschooling because it felt like it wasn't working. In the middle of my frustration last week, I called the public school to get him re-enrolled because I was ready to give up.
But decisions made in the middle of heightened negative emotions usually are not reflective of what we truly want.
This happens in business too.
Maybe you're at a point where you are frustrated because you are doing all the things yet you're still not getting clients.
Maybe you are loosing motivation because you are not seeing the bookings nor the income that you thought you would by now.
Maybe you are ready to give up because you don't have support or a clear plan of action.
I get it. That happens from time to time.
I want you to know that it's normal to feel frustrated and lose motivation in your photography business.
If / When you feel that way, it doesn't necessarily mean that what you are doing isn't working or that you'll never be a successful photographer.
It could simply mean you need a break.
My son and I needed a break from "school" last week so we took one. We put down the workbooks and pencils and took a family filed trip to see some caves and tour a potato chip factory (totally random, I know but it was right down the road from the caves so why not)!
We got some fresh air. We didn't worry about our school to-do list or the paper he was working on. We took a much needed BREAK!
Then a few days later, after our emotions subsided, we talked about what would be best for his school. We talked about what needed to change and specific things we could individually do to make homeschool a better experience over all.
And I also called the public school and told them we'd be holding off....because again, the decisions we make in the heat of the moment aren't really the ones that are best long term.
So why share all this?
Because I know you work hard in to market and grow your photography business and if you are at a point where you are frustrated, overwhelmed or ready to give up...
...I want to remind you to take a break!
Step away from your camera. Step away from Lightroom. Step away from social media and take a break.
Give your body the time it needs to rest.
Give your mind the time it needs to reset.
Give your emotions the time they need to cool off.
Then, only after you have given yourself the time to be refreshed, come back to your business with a clear mind. Chances are that time away will give you a new perspective or a new idea to apply to your business.
As always, cheering you on!
Heather
P.S. If you're longing for support, directions or a clear plan of action to take your business from empty calendar to fully booked, join us on the next 3 Secrets to a Fully Booked & Wildly Successful Photography Business and learn the booked photography method!