Are You Blocking Your Own Way?
Whether it's self-doubt, bad habits, or a mindset that’s holding you back, the truth is, you could be the biggest obstacle in your photography career.
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Are You Blocking Your Own Way?
If you’re reading this, it’s because something in you knows that you might be the one blocking your own way.
The title and thumbnail for this content, "Are You Blocking Your Own Way?" should hit close to home.
Whether it's self-doubt, bad habits, or a mindset that’s holding you back, the truth is, you could be the biggest obstacle in your photography career.
Proof
For 34 years, I’ve lived and breathed photography.
My career has seen incredible highs, but I’ve also faced the kind of lows that can make you question everything.
I’ve had to restart a failing career, rebuild from the ground up, and navigate the tough realities of this industry.
But through it all, I’ve emerged stronger, smarter, and more successful.
My journey isn’t just a story; it’s proof that with the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome any obstacle in your photography career.
Promise
In this piece, I’m going to equip you with the tools and mindset shifts you need to take your photography career to the next level.
If you’re feeling stuck, struggling with self-doubt, or simply not seeing the progress you want, what I’m about to share can help you break through those barriers.
By the end of this, you’ll have a clear path forward, with actionable steps to transform your mindset and align it with your goals.
Plan
We’re going to dive deep into the power of belief and how it shapes your reality—particularly in the world of photography.
I’ll guide you through practical steps to move from anxiety and self-doubt to anticipation and confidence.
You’ll learn how to reframe your thoughts, set clear goals, and build the kind of mindset that not only sustains a successful photography career but also propels it forward.
Understanding the Power of Belief in Photography
Let’s start with a principle that has guided me through the toughest times in my career: What you believe shapes your reality.
This isn’t just a motivational phrase; it’s a fundamental truth that applies to every aspect of your life, especially your photography.
Consider Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
This verse isn’t just about religious faith; it’s about understanding that your beliefs—what you have faith in—determine the outcomes in your life.
For photographers, this means looking beyond the technical aspects of your work and focusing on the emotions, stories, and unseen narratives that your images convey.
But it goes deeper than that.
Your belief system is the lens through which you view your career.
If you believe that you’re capable of greatness, that you can turn your passion into a thriving business, then that belief will drive your actions.
Conversely, if you’re plagued by doubt and anxiety, those negative beliefs will hold you back, no matter how skilled you are.
Actionable Steps to Shift Your Paradigm
Recognize the Need for Change
The first step in transforming your photography career is to recognize that it’s not just about improving your skills or buying better equipment.
The real change starts with your mindset.
Take a hard look at your current beliefs.
Are they empowering you, or are they holding you back?
Acknowledge that your current paradigm may need a shift.
Start with Small, Concrete Goals
Change doesn’t happen overnight.
Begin by setting small, achievable goals that align with your larger aspirations.
Whether it’s booking your first high-paying client or mastering a new technique, these small wins will start to build momentum and shift your mindset from one of doubt to one of confidence.
Use Repetition to Rewire Your Brain
Your brain is like a muscle—it gets stronger with repetition.
Start incorporating daily affirmations into your routine, such as, “I am a successful photographer,” or “I am capable of achieving my goals.”
Over time, these positive statements will start to reshape your subconscious mind, aligning it with your conscious desires.
Visualize Your Success
Visualization is a powerful tool.
Spend time each day picturing yourself succeeding.
Imagine the satisfaction of completing a challenging shoot, the praise from clients, and the fulfillment of creating something truly unique.
This practice keeps your mind focused on positive outcomes, making them more likely to become reality.
Continue Your Education
Never stop learning.
Invest in yourself by reading books on personal development, attending workshops, or listening to motivational speakers.
These resources will provide fresh perspectives and reinforce your commitment to growth.
Remember, the more you know, the more you grow.
Embrace Discomfort as a Sign of Growth
Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
Don’t shy away from challenges—embrace them.
Whether it’s trying a new photography style, reaching out to new clients, or even raising your prices, these uncomfortable steps are where real progress happens.
Remember, diamonds are formed under pressure.
Build a Support System
Surround yourself with people who understand and support your journey.
This could be mentors, fellow photographers, or even a supportive online community.
(You can join my community here)
These connections can provide valuable insights, encouragement, and the push you need when you’re feeling stuck.
Practical Applications for Your Photography Career
Now, let’s take these principles and apply them directly to your photography career.
Mind Your Mental Frame
Start paying attention to how you frame situations in your mind.
Are you focusing on what could go wrong, or are you looking for opportunities?
When you catch yourself slipping into negative thinking, consciously flip the script to focus on the positives.
Embrace Challenges as Opportunities
See every difficult shoot or tough client as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Instead of dreading these situations, view them as chances to improve your skills and expand your creative boundaries.
Acknowledge and Move Past Anxiety
When anxiety creeps in, acknowledge it, but don’t let it stop you.
Instead, shift your focus to the excitement of what’s possible when you succeed.
Anxiety is the feeling we have when something is coming and we’re unprepared and feel without a lack of control.
Anticipation is the feeling we have when something is coming that we want to come. Something is about to happen that we’ve hoped for.
Anxiety is just energy—redirecting it towards anticipation happens with a mindset shift.
Preparation is the way to quash anxiety. It’s how I’ve done it.
Every single thing that has given me anxiety over my life I’ve now faced head on and fixed.
One of my biggest? Dealing with the government, and dealing with my accounting.
Now I have an amazing accountant, I’ve been on the phone with the government almost monthly over the past months as my accountant has found they owe me some big money.
Now my anxiety with my accounting is gone. I’m beyond on top of it. In the past I was always behind.
Now because I faced this fear and dealt with it head on, now I approach my accounting with anticipation.
Visualize Success Consistently
Make it a habit to visualize your successful shoots and projects.
Imagine the praise and satisfaction that comes with nailing the perfect shot.
This positive imagery keeps your mind focused on what’s possible, rather than what could go wrong.
Reflect and Adjust Regularly
Take time to reflect on your progress and mindset.
Are you staying positive and focused on growth?
If you notice yourself slipping back into old habits or negative thinking, it’s time to make some adjustments.
Like adjusting your camera settings, fine-tuning your mindset is an ongoing process.
The Journey of Transformation
Transforming your photography career isn’t just about mastering the technical aspects of the craft—it’s about fundamentally altering your mindset.
By recognizing the power of belief, setting clear goals, and taking consistent, actionable steps, you can reshape your career and achieve the success you’ve always dreamed of.
Remember, I’ve been where you are.
I’ve faced the challenges, the setbacks, and the doubts.
But I’ve also seen firsthand how powerful a shift in mindset can be.
It’s what took me from the lows of a failing career to the heights of success.
And it can do the same for you.
Success in photography isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you think.
Keep your mindset strong, stay focused on your goals, and watch as your photography career transforms into everything you’ve ever wanted it to be.
Staying on Track with My Habit Tracker: A Game-Changer for Your Photography Career
And this is why I created my Professional Creatives Habit Tracker.
I had bad habits.
I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t consistently doing what it took to get there.
I had to fix those habits if I was ever going to reach my goals.
This is where my Habit Tracker comes in—it’s designed to help you stay on track, maintain focus, and ensure that you’re consistently working towards your goals.
Quick Overview of the Habit Tracker:
My Habit Tracker is built within Notion, a powerful tool that you can use across both desktop and mobile devices.
The tracker is set up to help you score yourself daily, with the goal of completing 85% of your tasks.
This level of consistency is what will truly move the needle in your career.
Here’s how it works:
Daily Scoring: Each day, you’ll check off habits as you complete them.
The objective is to close the ring at the bottom of each habit card, aiming to complete at least 85% of your tasks daily.
Emotional Connection to Goals: The tracker encourages you to connect emotionally with your goals.
This isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about developing a clear, compelling vision of your future that excites and motivates you to stay on track.
Execution System and Routine: The Habit Tracker helps you align your daily actions with your long-term vision.
It’s about creating a routine that supports your 12-week goals, ensuring that each day contributes to your larger objectives.
Value Offering and Execution: Understanding what value you bring to your niche is crucial.
The tracker includes prompts to help you define and refine your value offering, making sure you’re consistently communicating this value to your clients and audience.
Daily and Weekly Goals: The tracker breaks down your goals into daily and weekly tasks, making it easier to focus on what’s important and avoid getting sidetracked by less critical activities.
How This Can Help You
Using this Habit Tracker will transform how you approach your photography career.
It’s not just a tool—it’s a system that keeps you accountable, motivated, and focused on what really matters.
By consistently hitting 85% of your daily goals, you’ll make more progress in 12 weeks than most photographers make in a year.
This Habit Tracker also helps you overcome the common “execution problem” where knowing what to do isn’t enough—you have to actually do it.
With this tool, you’ll shift from planning to action, ensuring that you’re not just thinking about your goals but actively working towards them every day.
Get the Habit Tracker Now
You can get started with my Habit Tracker right now by duplicating the template into your own Notion space.
This is your chance to take control of your daily actions, align them with your long-term vision, and start seeing real results in your photography career.
What You Need to Do Next
Now that you’ve got the mindset and the tools, it’s time to take action.
Here’s what you need to do next:
Download the Habit Tracker: Start by clicking the link in the description to duplicate the Habit Tracker into your Notion space.
This will be your daily guide to staying on track and making consistent progress.
Set Your Goals: Use the tracker to define your daily, weekly, and long-term goals.
Make sure these goals are aligned with your vision for your photography career.
Start Taking Action: Begin scoring yourself daily.
Aim to complete at least 85% of your tasks each day.
This consistency is what will drive real change and growth in your career.
Stay Focused and Reflect Regularly: Use the tracker to keep your actions aligned with your goals.
Regularly review your progress and adjust as needed to stay on course.
By following these steps and using the Habit Tracker, you’ll build the habits and mindset needed to elevate your photography career to new heights.
Your future self will thank you for taking these actions today.
Thanks for reading me this week.
I’ll see you next Saturday.
👉🏾 I am a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.
My goal here is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.
👉🏾 Mindset shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾
Learn more about me and see my work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com
Join my photographers community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community
Have your photographs reviewed by me weekly on YouTube 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/youtubesubmissions
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