I never thought this dream of mine would last this long, grow this big and make it this far. Not in a thousand years. My life was always pictured for me: In the medical field living someone else’s ambition while pretending to love what I do.
A lot of lessons have been learned, most of them mastered due to heartaches and headaches combined, a couple of them I’m still continuing to cultivate within myself.
1. Humility
The line differentiating knowing your good and showing off is this characteristic. Humility is talent in silence. You show it by how you carry yourself, how you speak to others and how you touch others with what you’ve achieved. People love that. Give the people what they love by remembering who you are, while not forgetting what you’ve achieved. That’s a lot, I know. Here’s more:
2. No excuses, say Yes. Figure it out after
No matter what it is. Whether its not wanting to give a crap in the morning right when you wake up, to not wanting to do a task where you know you’ll thank yourself later for anyway. Get up, dress up, show up and do it. Keep doing things you’ll thank yourself for in the future.
3. Keep tabs
On new projects, on new people you want to work with, but most especially, just of people in general. As evil as this sounds, everyone will want to take a piece of something that you have. Wolves in sheep’s clothing do exist. Be careful, tread lightly but never forget to be kind. Kindness is different from sharing your business. You may be kind while keeping things of your business lowkey.
4. And when they do you wrong, don’t get even.
Get better. Do better and be even more kind than you were before. These are the people that deserve kindness the most. Not necessarily your kindness but perhaps you’re the only one that would give that value to them. Again, kindness need not be “sharing of assets”. It may be lending an ear or a hand. Forgive, but never forget. Never let anyone take advantage of you and here it is: Know where to put them.
5. Take care of the people that have helped you grow.
Photographers, managers, brands, you have established a relationship with these people, you have taken time out of their lives just as they’ve taken time out of yours. Make sure to nurture that relationship with simple thank you’s, greeting cards, congratulations and signs of support. And if you have cultivated friendships within them, never forget to keep that friendship separate from the business you both share. There is a line between everything. Find that line within that relationship and master it.
6. Be authentic.
While everyone is building themselves to fit in, stand up for yourself, what you love and hate and care for. That will make you stand out. People love people they can relate to. Be what the people love while remaining yourself.
I’ve learned so much but one thing I’ve learned is that I have yet tons of things to learn. This is just the beginning. Shall we party? I say yes. Details coming soon !!!!
xx
Your Fave Granny