RESET TO ZERO

For Father’s Day I was given Apple Watch by the boys. It’s been a great tool to keep me healthy, active, and motivated.

Yesterday I woke up in the morning and opened the activity tracker app on the watch. And I witnesses all of the numbers and progress bars slide from 100% down to nothing.

Every single one. They all reset to zero, right in front of my eyes.

What a beautiful, sobering metaphor.

It doesn’t matter what I did yesterday or last week. Today matters.

And at midnight, the counter resets and it starts all over again.

That is how progress is made:
How can I do 1% better today (in all aspects of my life)…
and then 1% better tomorrow?

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.

MINI PHOTO LESSONS, PART II: Six steps to creating better photographs

Do you find yourself getting frustrated with your photographs?

Do you look at others’ work and wonder why your images fall flat?

Do you wish you could refresh and reimagine your photographs?

Here are six short lessons that have helped me create better images.

1. The only things that really matter

No matter who you’re photographing, what camera you’re using or where you are… look for the right light and the right moment.

2. It starts with intention

Who decides what the right light is? Or the right moment? You do.

Ask yourself… What emotion are you trying to capture? How does this person, this place, or this moment make you feel? What would you like to communicate? Who is this image for?

Understanding intention will help guide you towards what is “right” in each moment. Everything — your composition, lighting decisions, interaction with your subject, gear, etc. — should all be informed by your answers to these questions.

3. Every great photographer has one thing in common — a unique vision

Their perspective on the world is fresh, unexpected, or interesting.

How can you develop your own vision?

Go out into the world. Seek new inputs. Adopt a curious attitude. Make new friends. Be a sponge.

With your camera in hand, explore halfway across the world or halfway across town — it doesn’t matter.

Intentionally seek new roads, new relationships, new foods and new cultures. Absorb it all and let it inform your work.

4. Gear is only a tool

At its worst, gear is a distraction.

Go find the necessary equipment you need to fulfill your vision, learn how to use it, and then get to work.

Spending $3,000 on a road trip will have a greater impact on improving your vision compared to buying that brand new camera you’ve been lusting over.

5. Show us a glimpse into your world

You have access to a life that most of us will never experience.

You’re a mom or a social worker. Your father might be struggling with a terminal disease. Or you work so hard to provide for your family that the most beautiful moment you see is the sunrise every morning on your way into work.

Show us what stirs your soul. Share what makes you happy, sad, mad, joyful, depressed or hopeful. Your photographs give us the opportunity to stand next to you through that captured moment and feel what you feel.

6. Build community

Seek out the work of other photographers.

Ask them what they see, what they feel and what they want to convey. Get inside their skull and find out what they think is interesting, beautiful and worth photographing.

Go make new friends, support one another, and continue to document the interesting and meaningful experiences of your life.

No matter what your intention is with a camera — the people you meet and the moments you experience are super awesome bonuses to making photographs.

If you incorporate the above ideas, your images — and your life — will become better… and even a little more interesting.

OFFER A MAP

As I was entering a favorite establishment of mine recently, I noticed a mother and her adult son standing just inside the doorway with a puzzled look on their face.

I sensed that this was their first time here.

And when I asked them if this was true, they said yes.

I introduced myself and told them that I would take care of them — that I would lead them to where they needed to be so they could have a great experience.

Our mini-tour only lasted a minute.

As our micro friendship concluded, I could tell they were relieved. Instead of confusion and fear on their face, they both warmly smiled and said, “thank you.”

To those who appear lost, offer a map with a friendly smile.

TODAY, I WANTED TO QUIT

I was tired, my head was pounding and I just wanted more sleep.

And I almost threw in the towel. Not quitting forever, but on the remaining hours of my day.

I wanted to literally quit today.

To make matters worse, my to-do list was long. Now I was doubly frustrated — not only would I be wasting a day, I would need to readjust my schedule for the upcoming week to make up for my lack of productivity.

Instead of quitting, I convinced myself to do two things:

First, I acknowledged that I didn’t feel great; that things aren’t always going to be amazing or even alright. Some days will feel blah. And that’s fine.

Second, I decided to not let blah ruin my day and I gave myself permission to operate at half speed. There were four things on my morning to-do list and I was content if I only completed two of those items.

I took a deep breath, acknowledged my pain and got to work.

Over the course of my blah morning, I finished all four items on my to-do list! I couldn’t believe it — despite my headache, lack of energy and a piss-poor attitude, I was able to stay focused and achieve my goals for the morning.

And I can’t wait to try it again soon to see how to improve the process.

THE GIFT OF FRUSTRATION

What is frustrating you right now? What do you wish would change?

What really hurts?

Frustration is often a reminder that where we are isn’t where we want to be; that we long for a better future for ourselves, our family, our organization, etc.

People often experience frustration about their weight, lack of energy, failed relationships, boring job, lack of knowledge about a topic, etc.

“Never forget: this very moment, we can change our lives.” — Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

No one loves change, but if you are frustrated enough and have had enough, change (or: doing something different) is the only way to move forward.

If you decide to change today for a better future, you are giving FutureYou a gift:

  • The gift of better health
  • The gift of less debt
  • The gift of a better attitude
  • The gift of a deeper friendship
  • The gift of new wisdom

What a beautiful opportunity for self-love: taking care of your future self.

Every decision you make, every behavior you encourage, every thought you cultivate has the opportunity to be a gift to FutureYou. That’s pretty awesome.

If your frustration is overflowing and it’s time to do something different… ask yourself these few questions:

  • What am I frustrated about?
  • Where am I right now?
  • Where do I want to be?
  • Why does pursuing this change matter to me?
  • What factors are within my control?
  • What should I do first?