In our photography survey Nick asked, “How can you make more time in the day?”
At first I thought this was a tongue in cheek question. Maybe more of a statement like, “there isn’t enough time in the day!” But the question stuck with me.
I think I get Nick. He wants to get better at photography but he doesn’t have the time. Life is busy, things get in the way, and who has the time to work on a hobby or side business when there is a full time job, family, cars to repair, a house to work on and friends to spend time with? I’m getting stressed out just writing that list.
Maybe you are busy too, but I have some good news! You are never too busy to make time for something you value. It's all about priorities, not time, because everyone has the same amount of time. We make time for the things that are important to us. The question is, do you want it?
I want to help people like you achieve their dream of being a professional photographer, or at least make some extra money doing something you love. The fastest way to kill any dream is to tell yourself you do not have enough time.
Time is a lot like money, if you do not budget your time you will get to the end of the month and have nothing to show for it. And like money it is wise to plan out how you will spend each hour of the day.
Consider this; if you set aside a half-hour every day to work on your photography business, after a year you would have freed up over four 40 hour work weeks. ONLY A HALF-HOUR A DAY!
That’s crazy. And think if you could set aside an hour a day. It adds up fast!
For me it is not about the question of do I have the time, but rather have I been deliberate enough to make time for the things that are important to me. Because the time will go somewhere, and if I am not intentional it will slip away, slip away to mindlessly surfing Facebook, browsing the web, or hours binge watching the newest season of Portlandia on Netflix.
Here’s what works for me:
Schedule It
I have to schedule the time to work on my dream. This is like creating a time budget. If you want to spend more time learning photography or building your business put it on your calendar and hold yourself to it.
Be Consistent
Try and make time to work on photography every day. Even if it is only 15 minutes, the time adds up. This isn’t a sprint; slow and steady wins the race. Be steady, be consistent.
Work when you work best.
For me I know I am at my best in the early mornings and late in the evenings. So if i have projects, either personal or for my business, that is when I am working on them. Otherwise it will never ever get done.
You may have kids, so you may need to work after they go to bed or before they get up. Remember it doesn’t matter when, just that you are doing it.
It needs to be your passion
Whether it is photography or something else, it needs to be something you are passionate about. Here's why; working a full time job, juggling everything else in life AND trying to work on your dream at the same time is difficult. It is a lot of work. But, if it’s your passion, if it's something you love, you won't mind working nights and weekends on it, because you will be doing something you love.
Becoming good or successful has less to do with natural talent and more to do with how much time, energy and practice you put into something. If you are willing to put in the sweat you can be successful!
The question is, do you want it?