They say the first step in treating an addiction is self-admission, right? Well if that’s true, here goes Internet: I AM ADDICTED TO MY PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS.
I’m fully aware this problem plagues ALL small business owners. And since I’m the full-admission type, I’m OK with being one of the ones who puts those seven words out there. I mean, really, how normal is it to be rinsing the soap out of your hair in the morning and thinking, “Well, I could offer a wedding album with THAT wedding package…” or twisting and turning at night with thoughts about your accountant and your lawyer keeping you from sweet dreams? NORMAL PEOPLE JUST DON’T DO THAT.
This is a down time of year for many photographers, but don’t let that fool you: Those of us vested in growing our businesses are like ants stockpiling food for winter. (Translation: Whereas we spend our summers shooting and editing, we spend our winters working to make the business side of things that much better for you—our clients—and for us, our sanity, and our loved ones who put up with us).
Just as I was beginning to wonder how I could afford myself a break to just, you know, have ONE HOUR OF MY EVENINGS not consumed with thoughts of my business, an e-mail hit my inbox from Sarah Petty of The Joy of Marketing. Sarah sent a note out to photographers encouraging us to make 2010 our best year ever and in it, recommended we set limits for ourselves as part of that mission. Here’s a snippet:
Do you ever feel like you are working ALL THE TIME? Brian Tracy, internationally acclaimed speaker and educator says to give yourself time to heal, like you would a wound. If you are hopping on your computer all weekend working a little here and there, it is like picking at a wound. He recommends having a 36 hour time frame EACH WEEK where you don’t work. That is how your engine recharges.
Sarah, here’s to taking your advice. For me, I’m aiming for 30 hours each week for myself. For my husband. For guilt-free Thursday nights spent watching The Office, Parks and Rec and 30 Rock. And for blissful Fridays spent with friends over long dinners or on dates with Nick or curled under a blanket with a book. OR FOR DOING WHATEVER I WANT THAT DOESN’T INVOLVED THE WORDS “PHOTOGRAPHY” and “BUSINESS”.
So it begins at 6 o’clock. TONIGHT. (and I’m typing this at 5:52 … working every minute ’til that self-imposed break can commence!) Wish me luck, ’cause I KNOWWWW I’m gonna need it. And if you want to join me and carve out 30 (or 36!) hours in your OWN week, go for it. Leave me a comment and I’ll be rooting for you as much as myself.
And because no post is a proper post on a photo blog without a photo, here’s a glimpse of what’s outside my back window on this cold January evening. Pretty isn’t it?
See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Friend Gail on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.
by Gail Werner
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