About eight years ago I met my wife on the first day of a journalism workshop. We bonded instantly and became friends and later a couple. This year my wife and I are instructors for the workshop and everything seems full-circle, almost.
Although I am teaching high school students the fundamentals of journalism, I am still taking classes at a community college trying to complete my AA Degree. My dream was to run my own business of still and video photography. After networking with a colleague I had a change in direction of how to go into business sooner than later.
A good way to pursuit any dream is to act in the now and start a plan. Get into the habit of not putting things off for tomorrow and make the effort think of you are a day behind and put things into motion. I have two photographers that I am planning to call to get tips on the business. My uncle has a lot of experience that I would like to learn from the still photography aspect. Another photographer is looking for a business partner to capture video for his clients during weddings, which will add a new dynamic to his business while I take my first step into starting my own.
No person should try for a goal and stop after realizing it will not be easy. The people who can stand tall after falling are the ones who know a mistake was made to reach perfection. Plan to make mistakes and remember that you can never really fail at anything unless you do not try. I never failed in life but I learned a lot of ways not to do certain things such as cooking, manual labor and finish school.
There are dreams that need to be altered as we progress in life. So, maybe you didn’t make the finals for American Idol. Change your plan and maybe you learn that you rather become a teacher or find another way by performing in Vegas. Who says you can’t alter your dreams from being a pop star to singing on Broadway? Also, sometimes you can get in the way of your own success.
I am in the business of not just making money, or for popularity. I am in the business of getting up every morning and doing something I love without a “nine-to-five” supervisor looking over my shoulder to see if I am matching their expectations. I am in the business of a stress-free environment during work, home and recreation hours of my week. In order to make this business work, I need to be my first customer by believing in myself.
