Your Picture is Priceless

There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them. ???? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ~Phyllis Bottome

Jim was not your average person. No, I would say he is a cut above most people in the areas of intent, determination, and drive. Let me explain why.

Years ago, I participated in a business skills development program on the Miramichi here in New Brunswick. While I was working on filling the class, I happened to meet Jim at a Chamber of Commerce meeting where I was speaking. Jim was the official photographer, so, never one to shy away from a camera, I sat at his table, and we started chatting.

We hit it off right away, and the next thing I knew, I was visiting him at his office, and we were talking about his business and where it was going. As the owner of a small photo studio, Jim was feeling the strain of competing with big players like Walmart and Sears for the same business, and it was definitely challenging. At the same time, the local paper mill had recently shut down, along with a couple of sawmills. The economy there, at that time, was in the proverbial toilet.

That's when I first saw his true colors. He refused to give in or quit, but the strain was wearing on him. To offset the downturn, he was doing whatever it took not only to stay in business but to thrive. He offered creative specials, gave tips on how to take better pictures, expanded his web presence, and through all of that, he was out selling as well. Come hell or high water, he was going to find a way to create success.

Then he showed me a small project he was working on, which I thought he should build on and market on his website. Very simply, he had taken some of his best photos, enlarged them, added a quote to the bottom, and made very professional-looking motivational posters with them. They were as good as or better than most I've seen over the years. But that is only one thing he has done. I suppose you've heard the saying "Necessity is the mother of invention"? Well, I believe that's the motto Jim tattooed to his frontal cortex, and he daily cooked up new projects and ideas to build his business and create happy clients.

What about you in your business? Are you feeling the strain of a downturn in business? Are you getting worried about what everyone is saying? Do you spend wakeful nights tossing and turning, wondering where you are going and what will become of you?

If you are, why not do what Jim did and reinvent yourself?

The reinventing process is not really that hard; it's a few easy steps:

1. Create a mental picture of what it is that you want to be. This is crucial. As the second law of MUST Thinking states, “if you can see it, you can be it.” When you have a clearly articulated picture in your mind, one that you can see and feel and connect with, you are ready to move to step two.
2. Write out this picture (vision) using powerful words, meaningful images, and motivating actions that, as you read it, will create such a tension in you that it now becomes your new focus.
3. Decide on the most important and fruitful action steps that you must take, and...
4. Get into action. Each day, make sure you drive towards the goals by applying all the actions necessary to capture the success you desire.
5. Never take the luxury to complain or give up. Know that you cannot let past circumstances dictate who you are or in what direction you move.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? But if it's that simple, why isn't everyone doing it?

One simple answer: Lack of clarity. If you think about it, isn't it true that when we can get past the reams of negativity that attack us each and every day, eliminate the gloomy news from bombarding us at every turn, and focus, really focus on what we want to create, then and only then will we find the abilities necessary to move towards what we want.

But we must be clear in knowing what we want. We must learn to be mental imaging photographers who know how to frame, focus, and shoot. Who knows, but with the right abilities and direction, your life could become the masterpiece that motivates and inspires others to do the same. We've all heard it said that “A picture is worth a thousand words”; this is especially true when it's the mental picture that you take your actions from. Choose carefully before you snap your shutter, and then when you have it, let nothing get in your way.

Make this your best week ever.

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