Reinventing Yourself

We just returned from a very successful ASPP program that the West coast chapter put on in San Francisco, entitled “Ready for Reinvention.”

Photo by Tom Weir

I think the single most important aspect that  I came away from the program with, is that you just have to make the first huge leap of faith towards something you’ve always wanted to do.  Losing a job can lead to new opportunities to revisit what it is that gets your juices flowing–to revisit dreams and passions and make a career choices that are very different from what you have been doing.  When we dig within our souls we often know that unhappiness can result from settling  for something less than what we wanted.  We knew we should have been doing something else, but because we were already entrenched in our job or careers it was “easy” to just keep things the way they were.  These are the attitudes and self-talk that we often experience when we know deep down inside that we’d be happier doing something else.

So, you lose your job.  If there was ever a time to try something new, it’s now!  Find your reserve and go for it.  Surround yourself with supporters and make the first move toward your dream.  Then just keep it moving, one step at a time.  I can say this because I’ve done it myself.  My husband, Dave,  is also an entrepreneur and he has shown me over the years how to do it.  We’ve had many businesses.  Some of them work out, some of them don’t.  By being in control of your own destiny, however, you have a chance to do what you want to do.  You can be your own boss and make your own difference in any way you choose.

Erik Proulx was one of our panel experts because he’s in the process of doing it.  He lost his advertising job last year and decided to get into film making.  Erik not only delved into this topic but found the heart, soul and  rebirth of several individuals that chose to reinvent themselves during their down time and are now happier than they ever expected.  Erik showed us an advance screening of  his film “Lemonade” and you can see the trailer on his blog  Please Feed The Animals. His blog also has a job posts board so you might check it out if you’re looking for talent or a “job”  (yikes!)

Michelle Estrin from Creative Circle in San Francisco was also a panelist.  She shared with us a lot about how to present an on-line portfolio and be open to freelance opportunities that can often lead to full time work.  She also stressed the need to have multiple skill sets because many employers are looking for all inclusive types of candidates.  Now is the time to learn that new software program or update to the latest version of something you’ve been holding off on.  Go back to school and learn some technology or design skills that you’ve been lacking in.  Or just try out something that you’ve always wanted to do…take an art class or something.  Get started on reinventing yourself!

Suzannah Scully shared the tools of visualization, and encouraged us to be specific about what it is that we want to do or change.  Being open to communication and networking can often bring you new opportunities for sell fulfillment.  You just have to be open.  She works with clients in 1/2 hour telephone sessions and if you’d like to know more, please visit her website.

This morning I sent an email to our group  sharing my dream of going to a cooking school in  Italy with my son and  got a great recommendation from one of my colleagues who photographed an old villa/cooking school in Tuscany and knew the owners quite well. Proof that you just need to be open and the opportunities will flow.  Be proactive.  Just do it.

Cheers!  Danita

Oh, one more thing….join ASPP because it’s the best opportunity for continuing education involving the photo industry.  It’s also the best place to meet buyers, photographers, editors, designers and the like.  We’re all in this together and by dialoging together we can understand each segment of the industry’s needs and issues.  Check it out.