How To Become a Successful Business
I never saw myself as being a full time professional wedding photographer when my business began. I saw photography as my side hustle, what paid the bills in college. I loved it, but I never thought my creative passion would turn into my creative career. Success for me in those days was getting to class on time, having a satisfied photography client and acing a paper I had just written the night before (something Dr. Brekke always called me out on).
But, as my business has grown and changed throughout the years, so has my definition of success.
I used to believe that success meant that bigger was better. I watched the photographers that I looked up to change the industry. People like Katelyn James and Jasmine Star inspired me because of their large platforms and zeal. In my mind, they were successful, and if I wanted to be successful, I needed to look like them.
So I pushed myself. A full day of college classes was most always followed by a full night of photography work as I edited, dreamed, sent emails and planned. I believed that the longer the work day & the harder the hustle the more successful I’d be.
But… I started to notice that the harder I hustled, the MORE I focused on me me me….
Conversations with others somehow always ended up about me. My business, my work load, my hard day, my prayer request for more hours in the day….
I felt like I wasn’t enough, and that I was way too much all in the same breath. I was working so hard, but when I looked at other successful photographers, I had so far to go.
If I was being honest, I wanted to be just. like. them. instead of being Anna. I never felt like Anna was good enough.
Sometimes, most times, I think God cares more about building up our character rather than building up our kingdom. We get so focused on what success looks like that we lose sight of what God wants to do within us. It is so easy for us to focus on what SHE is doing, and how God is using her, but when we focus on that, we can often lose sight of the path that God has intentionally set aside for us.
When we focus on others and compare ourselves to them, we often become bitter and jealous of where they are. We believe that we are doing something wrong because we’re not where they are, and over time this can lead to resentment.
But, God. When we view success through the lens of the gospel. That’s when change happens. Instead of comparing ourselves to the successful people we see around us (or online), our eyes are opened to what God is doing in us. Through Jesus, the little steps lead to big change, bigger isn’t always better, & living a life of constant hustle isn’t always worth it.
Why?
Because you were created for so much more than what you do. Who you become is more valuable than what you do.
If you lost your business or job tomorrow, would you lose yourself as well?
So yes, celebrate with her, as she rises. But don’t for a second believe that you will succeed the same way she did. You are far more original that you give yourself credit for. You are far more unique than you know.
Sometimes, success looks like making time to walk the dog and play in the grass. Success can be setting aside time to go on coffee dates with others, and investing a little. Success can also be sleeping in once and awhile, and treating your body with the rest in needs.
More than anything I hope this gives you a breath of relief & you’re able to not only enjoy what you do, but enjoy the person you’re becoming along the way.
xoxo
Anna Filly
Leave a Reply