A Difficult Challenge

All things domestic. All things art. All things photography.

{That's what my Pinterest profile says, anyway.}

I don't really know how this post will end. Rarely, do I plan what I will write in a blog post before I start to type. All I do know is that it has to begin with a challenge. As a photographer and business owner, it is overwhelming at times to take in all the information that one must know and practice to conduct a successful business that will benefit both myself and my clients. I have weeded out the ones offering business information that simply don't fit my professional business model. There are a few that I follow regularly, who's informative photography blogs have helped me in shaping my business model. One of those lovely photographer/business consultants is Rachel Brenke. I do not know her personally, but I'd like to. She's one of those people that puts it all out there for you. She's very likable and she is one accomplished 'Smart Cookie'! A product that I've purchased from Rachel recently is the Workflow Chart. It has helped me so much to have this visual in my work space. I went to Michaels last weekend to purchase a frame for my workflow chart. The first thing I did when I got home was clean the frame, insert the chart, and hang it.
See! Isn't it awesome. I love it.

So, after reading Rachel's blog post from yesterday I've decided to join her challenge to do something this year that is totally out of my comfort zone for my business. Something out of the norm. THIS REQUIRES SOME THINKING! Last night when my husband got home I went for a walk. There were some things I believe God revealed to me about myself and my habits that need refining.

The following are undoubtedly true:
1. I belong to Jesus first
2. My sons & my husband deserve my best
3. I am too socially connected
4. The Lord created me for more than this

I'll elaborate a little bit. Number 1, I belong to Jesus first. He wants my first fruits. He wants my allegiance. He wants me to love Him first. Not in my timing and not when it's convenient for me. If you are a regular reader of my blog you know that I am a Christian. Even typing this out puts tears in my eyes because it affirms what I know the Lord is asking me to do and it is going to take discipline. God has been so faithful in providing for me and my family. I have been less than faithful and consistent in my devotion to Him.
1. Spend time in prayer and read my daily devotion first thing in the morning. 

Number 2, My sons & my husband deserve my best. If God comes first, then the divine order would be that those He has given me come second. I never thought I would have all that I have now. I am thankful. God knows that. I thank Him all the time. Sometimes though my business runs me and I spend far too much time working and not enough time keeping up with "all things domestic". They, my sons & husband, end up getting what's left over. Not my best. Relationships are what life is all about. I want my boys to remember me in a loving and endearing way, not as the lady behind the computer. I also want to continue to date my husband. Dating is fun. All my boys are fun! I love photography, but I love them more. I need to prove that to them and to myself. The Lord has given me a godly husband and 2 beautiful healthy boys. I must take advantage of this moment in time.
2. Give my sons & my husband my best each day. More specifically, I am going to spend more time with them and less time on the computer. (This takes me to my next point.)

Number 3, I am too socially connected. The one subject I've heard more inquiries about is the subject of balance. I wonder the same thing sometimes. HOW CAN I ACHIEVE BALANCE IN MY LIFE? It never fails, man. Something always suffers. The laundry, a clean house, a decent home cooked meal, forgetting story-time at the library (I'm Mom-shaming myself!). You name it. Something always suffers. I've decided that for me, balance is going to include time management. I've lost you...I know the feeling. Every time I hear the phrase time management all I hear is RESTRICTION. That's it. I'm grounded. I'm grounding myself from social media. Not totally or completely, but I am going to give myself a time limit for social media. Scheduling. That's what I'll call it. I'm going to schedule a time to do my social media. I'm restricting myself to twice a day. Once in the morning, and once at night time after my boys go to bed. If I think of what I have to do in the middle of the day, then I'll write a list of things I must do when it is time for social media. There. This, I think will be the toughest for me. Social media is a huge distraction and it keeps me from doing the above "all things domestic" and "all things art".
3. Create a morning & evening schedule for social media.

Number 4, the Lord created me for more than this. It is so easy to get wrapped up in anything you're passionate about. With social media (Hi, #3 ^) you can get engulfed in whatever cyber world tickles your fancy. Photography. Eating healthy. Exercise. Domestications. I have a confession to make. I get bored. Creatively, I mean. I get in ruts more often than not. My mind is constantly going though. Sometimes I can't shut it off at night. It leaves me sleepless. I must have 10 different things going on at once. I'm working on little John's scrapbook and writing a thank you note and cutting coupons and looking up that recipe on Pinterest and emptying the dryer to pile the clean laundry on the couch to fold...all at the same time. Women. We're good at multitasking. I think God made us to be able to juggle lots of things at once. One thing I haven't been so good at though is following through with the other creative things I love to do. I used to paint. I used to make pottery too. I want to do and enjoy those things again. I want to make time for my other gifts. Like I mentioned above, I love photography. I do. I love to create! I love art! God has given me so many gifts. I don't want any of them to lay dormant. He created me for more than this.
4. Make time to create art. 

Now, the question is how is all this going to help my photography business. That, I am going to trust to the Lord. If I put Him first everything else is going to fall into place. And if it doesn't all fall into place, then He will give me the grace and assurance that life will be okay anyway. I love taking pictures, connecting with my clients, and running a business. I want it to succeed. Thanks Rachel for the encouragement to do something hard for my business and ultimately, for my life. I appreciate all that you contribute to the photography world. Much love, girl!

I BELIEVE!! Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Amen.