This past weekend at ASMP’s SB3 conference in LA, a young woman came up to me and said that I had given her an “ah ha” moment. I asked her why and she reminded me of what I had said at a panel discussion the evening before. A photographer had just told a story of how he saw himself in very specific terms as to what type of photography he did – he saw himself as wearing one hat. But a client came to him with a job that didn’t fit into his norm and so he turned it down. Then the client came back a few days later in desperation and asked him to please reconsider and he did. The job ultimately turned into a lucrative and regular gig and he learned a powerful lesson and that was to open his head up more to possibilities.
I was in the audience and the moderator asked if anyone had a response to this story. I said that I was really into saying yes more at this point in my life and career and that when I did, the universe was opening up and really great things were happening. I could go on to list a number of examples of some good things that have happened but the point here is that negative energy breeds negativity and positive energy breeds hope and change and positive results.
It’s pretty tough these days to stay positive, with the photographic industry in a state of flux and the lackluster economy but it’s not impossible. Some things I have found that help me stay positive are simple to implement in your life and others take a bit more practice.
- For starters, stay away from the groaners and moaners who spend their time complaining. That negativity is contagious – so get as far away from those people as you can.
- Find something you do like and cultivate that passion. It will show. You’ll start to talk about it and people will be attracted to you because of it. That attitude is contagious as well but is an attitude that you want to “catch”.
- Embrace learning. Growth always has hope and hope will renew your spirit.
- Learn to let go of the things that don’t work out. God knows I have had to abandon many expectations but I try to move on and replace them with new ones.
- You can’t control what others do to you but you can control how you react. Empower yourself with that thought.
- Think good thoughts in those moments right before you drift off to sleep. When you are sleeping your subconscious takes over and if you have positive thoughts running through your head just before you go into that subconscious state – that is what will be reinforced.
- When you are feeling low and nothing seems to be working – find something that is working and be grateful for that. And know there are certainly others in the world that are far less fortunate than you.
- Always remember that life is the greatest gift of all. Embrace it, cherish it and make every day count.
When you say yes, you at least have a chance at a positive outcome. When you say no – you’ve closed the door. My reward that weekend was knowing that I gave someone an “ah ha” moment. Who knows what may come out of that? What a powerful thought. What a powerful word.
There were all kinds of “ah ha” moments this past weekend in Los Angeles at the SB3 conference. There’s another SB3 conference in Philadelphia coming up – February 25-27. Come and join others who embrace the positive notion of growth, hope and change.
Journeys of a Hybrid 