www.ProfitableStudio.com

By far, one of the most petrifying experiences I ever had was years ago, when I was 20, at an Amway meeting (yes, I was in Amway for about a year– it was in retrospect one of the best things that happened to me. Not because of the company itself– I personally am not crazy about network marketing set ups, often referring to it as capitalism on steroids, unless they have a solid product, process or service– but because it exposed me to some of the best training and success tools, books, people etc ..), where I was scheduled to give a 2 minute speech on a particular product.

I walked to the podium, placed my notes on it and both hands on either side of the podium and commenced to freeze up. Oh, I also started hyper-ventilating. It was awful! I stood there, paralysed, breathing so heavy they could hear me way at the back of the room. All I could think of was the fact that there was an exit door behind me and to my left. Run!! Run now!!! Escape, get the hell out of this hell you walked into.

(NOTE: Let me get this clear to you, because I know some of you will understand this from a totally distorted angle: I was not freaking out because I was in Amway. I was freaking out because I was in front of people, all eyes on me. You know, public speaking stuff.)

I stood there for about 30 seconds, frozen, heaving, while the look of horror on those in the audience increased by the second. Eventually, I started reading my notes. I literally speed read every word, not once daring to look up. Then , when done, I read my last line which was “Are there any questions?”  As soon as I said this and actually looked up, and looked out at the audience, an immediate sense of relief came over me. Not only because I was done, but for some strange reason seeing their faces put me at ease.

That was the first and last time I ever froze-up in front of an audience. Years later I joined Toastmasters and started learning and experiencing the anxiety and fear of public speaking in a controlled and workshop environment. I still felt anxious, scared to death, knees knocking, stomach like a tornado of butterflies,  but with persistence and practice I managed to line up the butterflies and get them to fly in formation.

It took me about fifteen structured speeches in that period of my life before I actually started to feel confident. And that feeling of confidence was just the start. That was kindergarden stuff compared to the skill-level I feel today. I was just starting to feel confident.

What does this tell me? It tells me that getting good at something takes time, application, practise, persistence, and a whole heap of willingness to move through the fear. Fear will ALWAYS be there. You just have to be willing to move ahead in spite of it. I had a desire to get good, and I was willing to pay the price to achieve that.

Okay, lean in and listen carefully. I want to tell you something of paramount importance. Most folks won’t ever understand this simple idea that I am trying to convey to you. They go to their graves never having explored and revealed their true desires, skills and talents, forever happy with the safety of whatever rationale and excuse-du-jour works for them and soothes the anxiety and bubbling fears that attempt to rise up. Their rationale is like a balm that temporarily calms the spirit and passions, forever locking them up. They actually believe that those fears are like dragons trying to escape from behind their self-imposed steel bars, and when set free will destroy everything in it’s path.

Not so.

Here’s the truth: The fact is, 99.9999% of us are NOT born with that much talent or skill. Of course, we may be predisposed to certain areas, like having a great voice, or we may even have a great funny bone because we grew up with funny parents, but for the most part we need to face up to and break through the self-imposed rational layered fears and start the path of self-discovery. Let the curtain rise, so to speak.

I say this because we are photographers and being a photographer means being able to communicate with people. The number one source of fear and anxiety has to do with communicating with people. If you overcome these fears by whatever means, experiences, challenges or practices available, you will let your personality shine through. You only get there through work and practice. There are no shortcuts or easy roads, so you may as well accept the challenge.

When fears and lack of confidence take over and create roadblocks for you, it only means you lack the experience in that area you are struggling with. For many of us, it’s two fold. Dealing with people, of all ages, in many different scenarios, many of which are high stress IE weddings, multi-generational family shoots, and, gulp, the 2 year old session, and, dealing with the technical side of things.

You must know how to direct and lead with confidence, plus, you must be aware of lighting, composition, posing, expressions and wrap all these things up into one big zen like ball that personifies you, the photographer, who all are willing to follow, enjoy being around, having their photos created by, and when all is said and done, they say: “that was fun!”. And you have the knowledge and confidence and knowing that you did your best, created some kick butt images and ultimately are heading to a nice, beefy sale.

You only get there one way. Practice. Hard work. Challenge your fears. Keep growing. There are no manuals, workshops, tips, steps, seminars that will replace the work YOU must do to achieve that blissful level of confidence that radiates from within you. You, and only you can climb that mountain, slaying the dragons as you climb. Hard? Yes. Worth it? You bet. More than I could ever explain. You end up with a whole new side of you, a whole new skill set that never goes away. It’s for life!

Hi Robert,

My name is Jill Luckett and I own Luckett Portrait Studio in Baton Rouge LA.  We have been in business since 1956 (before I was born).

I am telling you this because I have been doing this forever and I have heard 100′s of speakers and teachers throughout the years, but I have never found one as motivational as you are.

Whenever I get an email from Nobs I can’t wait to open it and see what you’ve got to say. When I feel that inevitable sense of fatigue, ( maybe from doing this for over 30 years or maybe because I need more vitamins) I can always count on you to pump me back up.

I have saved all your emails since the first  one I received at least a couple of years ago which is kinda funny considering the last message about sitting at the feet of the gurus. However, when it comes to motivational gurus, you are the real thing…..

With genuine admiration,
Jill

******************

Thanks Jill….appreciate the comments…Rob

Photography marketing site

P.S.I am hitting the road on a  Cross-Canada Road Show with No Bs Photo Success co founder James Hodgins in April 2010

P.P.S.Want to spend three days with us? Check out the Inferno in Chicago April 19-21, 2010

www.ProfitableStudio.com

Well, a new year is almost upon us. Which can only mean one thing. Time to gear up those goals for 2010!

….okay, okay, before you hang up on me, and jump to the ‘oh, here he goes with another rant on New Years resolutions’…., hear me out. This is vital to your success.

This is so vital, that I always felt that few really got this. And those that do, succeed!!!

I always felt that most struggles, most challenges, most ‘lack’, and pain in our lives, our countries and in the world, is because of one primary reason. And can be easily solved if you know this reason and do something about it.

I don’t mean to get existentialist on you, but this does make a load of sense, in a general sort of way. What am I talking about?

Most problems and challenges can’t easily be solved by one simple idea: create a vision of where you want to go.

I am not talking about wishful thinking. I am talking about having a clear idea of where it is you want to go with, whatever is your scenario. Is it your photography business? Your health? Your bank account? Your photography skills and talents;or lack thereof? on and on….

Whatever it is, when you decide to create, in your own mind, a better place, (here’s the key) in the future, then you move towards that.

You will be challenged, you will meet roadblocks and you will get curve balls thrown at you. These, in my opinion, are all tests, so to speak. Challenges. Tests.

Hey, if this was easy, everyone would get it. And we’d all be in a better place. But not to be.

Most people who buy educational programs at events and workshops don’t even get past the first audio CD (or cassette- depending which era you bought yours in and opened that one and only first cassette).

I am convinced right to the very last atom in my body, right down to the tips of my toes, that you can make progress if you put into place a solid plan of where it is you wish to be, say next year, next month, within the next five years, and define what your entire lives’ purpose is.

This requires a certain amount of work, responsibility, faith and, wait for it, that word again- imagination.

Most of us can’t do this. We can only see day to day. Eat what you kill this week. Never mind next week, let alone next year.

When you look at all the great success’s and movements, you will always see a plan that was put into place. From D Day to flying to the moon to every successful studio, they all had plans and goals that were put down on paper and taken action on.

My secret weapon is the fact that I know most people are too lazy, uninspired, lacking in ambition, prone to resting on their laurels, prone to resting on their ‘excuse du jour’ to really go out there and make a difference.

When I mail out newsletters to all my studio client data base for example, I know I have something that all my competitors do not. What is that ‘something’ you ask? Simple. The fact that I’m actually doing it. Making it happen.

Most won’t.

So, you have within you the ability to grasp something that most won’t even get a small step into. All you gotta do is decide what you want, get clear on it, create some goals based on your vision, and be committed. Don’t get bogged down or distracted by that ego induced voice in your head that’s trying to get you in a safe place.

Be in the small percentage of those who are brave enough to move into their own futures and boldly go where most dare not.

And what better time than now to get started. A new year is soon here.
2010 can be the year that you make it happen.

Here’s an interesting idea, in case you’re struggling with this: What areas are most lacking in your life and you know you could use some help in? What excuses do you typically lean on to procrastinate?

Be honest.

Take those areas, make a list and make a goal out of each one.

Even excuses and weakness’s can give us opportunity to, as Napolean Hill said in the greatest success book of all time, Think and Grow Rich: “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.”

Your struggles, your problems and challenges are really opportunities. Unless you want the easy way out. No work, no pain, done for you, like your mama when she used to feed you, wipe your butt and change you.

Well, those days are long gone, and to want the easy way out is still at that level of maturity, or immaturity.

Put on your big boy/girl underwear and go get er done!

Besides, it’s a load of fun. I have too many experiences in my life and from others who have had similar success to doubt that this works.

Wanna hear the number excuse for failure? You’re not going to believe this. It’s truly insane and must be straight from the land of the morons.

Are you ready?

Here it is. The number one excuse I hear most often is: “I don’t have the time to read/do all that stuff.”

Really?? I bet you have time to watch TV every night and you know all about the latest Britney Spears meltdown.

People who use excuses like that are really saying: “I’m poor. I’ve decided to stay that way, so don’t even try to help me.”

Listen, I’m not trying make anyone feel guilty here. Guilt is a negative emotion. If it kicks you in the butt and inspires you to get on to better things, fine. But to stay at the guilt level will not create permanence. I have a whole lot more to say on that and the ‘holding back your success’ powers of the ego, at a later date.

I also don’t care if you’re just starting out or been at this many years. There’s always room for growth. Again, school is never out.

Granted, many photographers get away with an over exhibition of arrogance and ego, but we can get away with it in in this field. People will still love you, because you make them look good and you have such a cool artistic eye.

However, why not have the best of both worlds. Be prolific in your art and photography, and be progressive, a renaissance, so to speak. Zen like. And., of course, prosperous.

Here’s a gift for you. I’ve nagged you enough so I feel I should give you something concrete to help you resolve this. GO HERE and download this pdf file.

Then print it out. This form will be one of the most powerful excercises you will ever do.

Trust me on this one.

Pay close attention to the list of ten issues. It has within it the power to reveal to you where the key is that will unlock the doors to your future. If you are willing and if you are daring and bold enough to go where no one has gone before…..

See you on the other side!

yours in photography,
Robert Provencher