This is my September/October President’s Message published in “The Photographer” magazine.

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” ~Ayn Rand

What does the future hold? It is time to start thinking about it.

Goals

Where do you want to be in five or ten years? Owner of a successful high-volume studio? Creating custom high-fashion portraiture for a handful of clients a year? Photographing celebrities or U.S. presidents?  On the cover of Sports Illustrated or Time? On safari with National Geographic (take me with you!)? Selling fine art in galleries? Retired and capturing your family’s favorite moments with your trusty camera?

There is no wrong answer; I was just trying to jumpstart your imagination. Imagine the possibilities. There is a whole world out there. Nothing can stop you if you decide what you want and go after it. As we have already discussed, success is not guaranteed, but you learn from every journey (refer back to Jan./Feb. issue).

Perhaps we should start a little smaller. What do you want to accomplish in the next year? Do you want to increase your sales or join an organization’s board? Teach a class or be a wrangler at Texas School? Maybe earn a PPA degree or TPPA Fellowship? Try out a new technique? Write an article for this magazine?

Whatever the goal is, make the decision to do it, and then start planning to make it happen. You do not have to finish it tomorrow, but setting the goal and deciding to do it in the next calendar year is a good start. Some of these things take time … even years.

Determination

Let’s face it. We all have good intentions and want to do certain things. But life gets in the way. We get busy and procrastinate, and then one day we realize we never did what we set out to do. But, remember, people make time for the things that are most important to them. So set the goal and put it on your To Do list, write it on a Post-it note and stick it above your desk, write it on your hand, tell a friend to help keep you accountable … whatever works best for you. Be determined to reach your goal. Make it happen. The only one who can stop you is you.

Take the Challenge: Start Designing Your Future

I cannot wait to see what you accomplish! Share with me at Shawna.Hinkel@gmail.com.

Shawna Hinkel, M.Photog., CPP
TPPA President