My first post of the year and I’m writing it after the point that many people discontinue their New Years Resolutions. You have not failed! You have simply wandered off that path a bit. I’m looking to help you with this, both personally and Photographically. This post is not about New Years Resolutions, it’s more about not making them.
The second Friday in January is referred to as quitters day. Historically this has held true for most people. Most people, including myself, stop doing something because somehow we are no longer motivated to do them. “Life” simply gets in the way. This happens, that happens, and the next thing ya know we lose interest.
Without a compelling reason to persist, we lose interest, get distracted, or forget what we purposed to do. This has happened many times to myself. I can’t tell you how many classes or instructional courses I’ve bought over the years, only to come across those purchases in my files and look at myself wondering why I never even opened them!
A lot of the time I have simply forgot. Life got in the way. I was pulled in another direction and totally forgot I put them in my files.
Trust me friends! This is super easy in the “how we do more with less world we currently live in.” Social Media is a huge culprit here! How many of you are shocked by the screen time statistic you get from your phone once a week? This statistic alone mesmerizes me! I can not believe the amount of time I waste every week in social networking sites!
It’s like the people I used to watch spend hours playing a slot machine, they are glued to it. One time while I was at work in a Casino back in the day, I watched a guy sit all night in front of a penny slot machine! This was back the day that you used to have to pump those coins in it all night! Well… towards the end of my 8 hour shift he hit the big jackpot, and had a heart attack falling right off his stool!
This occurred in my first week working in the gaming industry. It has stuck with me everyday since then. I do not know this customers final outcome but at a very young age the realization that we can not buy any more time hit me right between the eyes.
Three years ago I made a commitment to myself to spend less time in front of a computer or my phone. Have I succeeded? A little. I’m still working on this. It’s a work in progress. I’m a work in progress. Matter of fact last year I spent a bit more time in front of my computer learning Video, and all that entails.
Am I upset about that? No I am NOT! Why? Because I showed up every two weeks to do videos for my campfire group, and they have let me know how much that was appreciated. What took up too much computer time was everything else I had to do with so-so networking “to get noticed.”
I will not be spending that extra time this year. I am going to concentrate more on the people that support my efforts and show me that appreciation. Spending a lot of time on FaceBook or InstaGram makes Zucky boy more wealthy, not me. Not to mention the negativity that can be found there killing you emotionally. Plus he controls who sees or does not see what ever I post. It sucks time right down the drain!
Effective soon I will be posting things on FB and IG that are inspirational. Why? Because there is too much negativity in the world! People feed off of that on those platforms! A negative thought or post in the morning can trash your entire day! A negative post in the evening can ruin your much needed sleep.
So if I’m searching out something positive and inspirational for me, and sharing that, I feel my time has been spent more wisely. Self care is not selfish! If I set the goal to find inspirational things for others, I am also doing this for me. WE rise by lifting others. So if I do this then I’m adopting the change I wish to see, instead of feeding the frenzy they create.
Goals Not Resolutions Are The Key To Long-Term Growth
Personally I have always been a goal setter. I left home at a very early age. If I did not set goals, and work on them, I did not succeed at much. However I have seldom failed to reach a goal I set for myself! (as long as that goal was realistic) After all if you do not reach your goal, you are harming yourself, not others.
The secret to setting compelling goals is knowing why it is what you want – finding purpose and meaning in your goals! Creating compelling goals will help you stay inspired, even when times get rough. This along with the fact I’m a tenacious SOB has benefited me.
Last year I set the goal to record a video every two weeks to assist my campfire group, even though I sucked at video. (one Video actually became as many as six) I gave up a LOT of information. My Campfire Members have told me this was their single greatest training Photographically!
I did the same thing for writing this blog. My commitment to others kept me moving forward and on task, even if I had difficulties! I was also rewarded personally in the process in too many ways to mention. I told people I would be there, so I made damn sure I was.
I got a little overwhelmed with the every two weeks for writing my blog. I had that scheduled in the off weeks of my videos, so it started to feel a bit like a “job” instead of my original goal. Also my open rate went down a little and that was discouraging. Why did my open rate go down? Because their life got in their way, not mine. So realizing this has reinvigorated my efforts.
In a couple of my recent presentations, people I had not heard from in a while told me how much they appreciated my blog. This really invigorated me! It reminded me that I should show up for those that cared, instead of worrying about who didn’t. So here I am. I will change up the schedule a bit in order to stay with my computer reduction goal.
So now…
Once agin this also means less time trying to “drum up followers, or get noticed” on FaceBook or Instagram, and more time on my own sites. I would also hope those who enjoy what ever I might have to offer, would let others know.
In closing I hope my experiences and this little blurb assists you. Remaining motivated in this day and age can be exceptionally difficult. “They” have learned a lot. “They” are compelling you, using techniques brought about, from years of learning exactly what works and how to exponentially impact those results. “They” are very smart!
WE need to be smarter! My technique is to simplify things and get back to what was important in my youth, instead of buying into “everything” technology has brought into the forefront, to do “their” bidding of “doing more with less”
Now I trying to do more with all of you, and less with all of “them”….
Thanks For Being Here!
You can sign up to be supported by people from all over the world in my fun and inspirational Photography group, “ByWinslowCampFire.com” by clicking the button below…
I still have a couple of spaces available to join me Photographing Fireworks for 4 hours a night, instead of a little ten minute session, by clicking the link below.
