Category: career

REMIND, GROUND, AND RESET

I do this personal visual thinking and mapping often.

To remind and ground myself. To reset.

And right now I’m leaning more and more into building something new. Creating something. Something that helps others, creates value and money to fuel a beautiful, interesting life.

The “what” of it all is still an unknown, a mystery. But regardless, I’m stepping out of the shadows of fear and taking the next step forward – admitting it both to my self and sharing it publicly.

Let’s go.

THE 1MM RULE

The 1mm rule: Find the small, quirky thing that makes people smile, share, and come back for more. – Greg Isenberg

LAST NIGHT A LIGHTBULB MOMENT SMACKED ME IN THE FACE

In 2006 I picked up a digital camera and began to document the summer camps our non-profit was leading. Kids were having an amazing, life-giving experience – and photographs helped capture that impact.

Less than two years later, we moved to Nashville where I focused 100% on photography at my day job, along with other creative opportunities outside of work.

And that was my world for almost 10 years.

But now, when I reflect back on first picking up the camera to document at the non-profit, the photographs were the means – not the end.

The photos:

  • Provided imagery for our future summer camp marketing and content needs
  • Eased parent’s worries because we posted the photos daily on a public photo account (on Flickr) so they could see all the fun things their kids were doing
  • Created visual mementos for counselors, staff and especially the kids
  • Connected us more deeply to our donors when we packaged up the photos from kids and counselors into a coffee table book as a way to demonstrate our collective impact and to say “thank you” for their gifts of time, talents, and money

The photos were important, of course.

But it was really the creativity to figure out WHERE and HOW to use them in unique, memorable ways to help us better engage and connect with our key audiences…

THAT was the x-factor – and my superpower.

Sometimes a lightbulb moment smacks you in the face.

I’m just thankful for continued and unfolding awareness of how my skills, strengths, and experiences have come together to make a deep impact.

EXCELLING AT WORK

Give a damn. Make the extra effort. The details matter! Make work about the work, the relationships, and the process of getting the work done. Stay professional, courteous, friendly, and tactful – don’t fool around. Have a positive, proactive, and resourceful disposition. Actively explore and entertain potential improvements. Take initiative. Be a good team player. Hear the feedback and adjust. Cultivate relationships with other people who are committed to their work, just like you. Opportunity to grow? Take it! Highlight problems and present possible solutions. Avoid gossip. Volunteer for that new project. Help others grow into the best version of themselves. Ask good questions. And… don’t make assumptions.