Don’t get lost {Delight & Be Savvy}

Often times I get really wrapped up in everything that comes with running a small photography business, from finances and bookings to editing and keeping up with my social media. It can be one big viscous cycle and before you know it, you find yourself constantly sitting at the computer hopping from program to program, website to blog to facebook to twitter to another blog to a photography forum to emailing back to editing, oh yeah, you were probably just supposed to be editing in the first place.

#AmIRight ? ;)

Thats me anyways, anyone else in that cycle? Dang, it never. ends. you find yourself looking at the number of followers you have, trying to post perfect content, blogging things, you tell your family “ Not tonight, I have to keep working! Maybe I can join game night next week” But next week turns into another work week and then month and before you know it you’re still sitting there at that computer in that cycle of shoot, edit, blog, post, comment, book another shoot and repeat. not to mention all the things we do online in between. I mean, right now you’re reading this blog. Thanks for doing that by the way.

Sometimes I feel chained to keeping up with everyones pace. Maybe you’re thinking “ Yeah but Elizabeth, I run my business all by myself, I HAVE to keep the momentum, It takes SO much. “ Yes, Yes I know. But I’ve recently had such a profound thought but it’s really so simple. “Do I own a small business or does the small business own me?”

If you cant step away from it for just a few hours, its time to change some things. Its time to say no to yourself, I know that can be so hard. YES, in the beginning stages of your business especially, you have to keep momentum and it takes a lot! There is so much to be done when you do it all by yourself. But there is balance. And *gasp* there is life outside of the internet and Lightroom.

Get a notebook, a calendar and look in the mirror and tell yourself you can do it. Theres so much more out there than constantly working up new content for social media likes. After all, the beauty of deciding to be your own boss is YOU are the decider of your schedule, don’t confuse that. I know that ultimately, I’m writing this for me. I found myself closed off at my desk, trying to catch up on the latest thread in Shoot & Share or window shopping for newer gear, or editing photos for hours trying to perfect them. That’s all great, and sometimes necessary but you know what im talking about. Real life is happening and thats what we’re doing this for. For the moments, the adventures, the family time, the art. Don’t burn yourself out. Take a step back, breathe a little and find your balance. Running a small business is beautiful.

As I was drafting this up I wanted to make sure I was meant to say this, in that moment, my phone lit up and someone had posted this link to Jasmine Stars blog, Im going to quote her because I feel like she sums up my jumbled thoughts so well,

” It’s easy for entrepreneurs to let their work get ahead of them…to insist that business matters need to be addressed immediately to avoid outright failure or cataclysmic results. But the truth? The truth is that email will always be there…edits will always be there…but the person sitting across from the dinner table may not.

Allowing for quality time with those you love ends up making you a better business person because you remember who it’s all for. You remember that love is a heavy force in the creative process…and sacrificing it isn’t worth the best/biggest/most amazing business transaction. Ever.”

I mean, amen, right? Something to think about.