I think I'm having a quarter life crisis.
When I was in high school, I had my life planned out. I was going to graduate from college, get a job that I studied for within a year and buy house by the time I'm 26. That was my plan. Now, I'm 24 years old, I graduated from Grand Canyon University three years ago, I'm working at a restaurant, and I'm trying out for entrepreneurship. It's not exactly what I had in mind when I was in high school.
And this entrepreneurship is a nonstop roller coaster ride! I don't know what to do! And I feel like I'm winging it half the time, wasting time and money on online courses, and second guessing myself.
I Feel Lost!
Basically, I'm feeling lost. I keep jumping from one thing to the next.
Here's what I mean:
I started this blog in the beginning of the year, but haven't commit to it.
I bought a course on how to jumpstart and get clarity on my photography business, but got involve with a project while doing the course.
I planned, prepared, and strategized a family photo session offer, but didn't go through it.
And now, I'm thinking of changing my entire approach of promoting my business on social media.
And I'm doing all this while working a full time job, taking on unexpected responsibilities at home, and having the same old routine every single day.
It's exhausting.
It exhausting because it's hard work to get a business off the ground and trying new things to make it work. Plus, I know what I want my business to be: I want to help families celebrate and enjoy their traditions (quinceañeras and weddings) with photography and video.
And I have an idea where I want to end: I want to help Hispanic businesses promote their brand and create content with photography and video.
It just exhausting because I want to see the results ASAP!
Why do I feel lost when I know what I want?
Before I sat down to write this blog, I looked into what it means "feeling lost." I found this video on YouTube, and I recommend you watch it: "I feel lost and I don't know what to do with my life " | Advice for Millennials"
After I watched this video, I figured out why I feel lost:
I'm scared I might be making the wrong choice.
I get disappointed when the new things I try don't work out.
So, what am going to do? I'm going to keep trying new things, I'm going to get out of my comfort zone, change my routine, and change my mindset.
4 Ways To STOP Feeling Lost (Figuring Out What To Do)
1. Keep Trying New Things
I keep listening to podcasts and watching YouTube videos on how to build a personal business brand - and there's one constant advice: TEST, TEST, TEST, and TEST new things.
So, I guess trying new things is not so bad. Up to this point, I've tried talking about my photography by writing, by making videos, by going live on Facebook and Instagram, and by posting consistently on both platforms. Now, it's time to choose ONE way and commit to it. And in order to that, I have to get out of my comfort zone.
2. Get Out Of My Comfort Zone
One way of getting out of my comfort zone is getting out my house.
As I've mentioned before, I have a full time job and my photography business is my side hustle. I come home, and stay home working on my laptop. This has been my routine for two years. It wasn't 'till recently that I got out of my house and did something different for my business.
I went to three local parks within three days - one park per day. I went live on Facebook to talk about each park and gave a mini virtual tour. I also went on Insta stories to talk about the park and why I love having photo sessions there. By doing that, I got two family sessions booked!
Getting out of my house worked! And I stepped out of my comfort by being on video in a public space.
3. Change My Routine
In order to get out of my comfort zone, I have to change my routine. Coming home from work and getting on the computer is not going to make me feel any better or grow my business.
I have two mentors (Sunny Lenarduzzi and Jasmine Star) that have talked about time management and having a daily routine.
I've tried having a set routine and schedule my everyday tasks to the minute, but that doesn't work for me. And that's okay. So, I've decided that I will dedicate each day of the week to one MAIN goal.
Monday will be journal day,
Tuesday I will schedule my social media posts,
Thursday and Friday will be writing days (for this blog),
Friday is fun,
Saturday will be photo and video (going out with my camera) and
Sunday is self-care.
Of course, I'll do other things, like editing photos, editing videos, having photo sessions, etc - but this way it'll help me take care of myself and become a better entrepreneur.
Another ways I'm thinking of changing my routine is going to a Starbucks or a local coffee stop to write, going hiking on my days off, and network/find other local photographers in my area to collaborate and create relationships.
I just need to get myself out there!
4. Change My Mindset
All this sounds amazing and easy, right? Well, it's not.
Finding your way in life, "your life's calling," requires doing the work and being patience. And it's HARD!
One thing that I've been working on since the beginning of the year is changing my mindset on entrepreneurship and on life. By doing just that, it helped to see the world differently. Everything happens for a reason and at the right time. All you and I have to do is appreciate where we're right now and that our currently situation does not define who we are.
Right now, I'm feeling lost. There are days that I don't know what to do, and that drives me crazy. But guess what, I always figure it out.
"When there's a will, there's a way."
So, what now?
I'm going to explore new things. Next week, I'm going to start my own 30 day photography challenge and keep writing on my blog.
I'm committing to my photography and my blog. And you'll be my accountability partner. I'm going to be sharing with you more about myself, my photography work and (coming soon) video work.
Ready to join on this journey?
Love, Janet.
Personal Note from the Author:
These are affirmations and quotes that I wrote down on post-its to remind myself of the bigger picture and what I'm working towards.
I am ENOUGH!
Show-up!
Take MESSY action, it doesn't have to be perfect!
Go for it!
My current situation doesn't define me.
I'm the creator if my success.
I'm grateful to money because if affords me my dream life.
I got this!
Do you have any affirmations?
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