If you have Googled “how to build a photography business”, I’m willing to bet it’s told you to: master your photography skills, create a strong portfolio, determine your target market, build your brand, and market your business. I know this because I did a search on Google out of pure curiosity.
All of these items are important but aren’t enough to create and sustain a business you’re passionate about. I know because I applied them when I ran my wedding photography business. I felt exhausted, incapable, unworthy, and resentful.
I call this the burnout zone.
I wanted to quit so many times. But I knew I was meant to be an entrepreneur. Something had to change.
That’s when I pivoted from weddings to personal branding. I started out the same because it was all I knew. After quickly realizing doing the same actions would bring me to the same results, I decided things have to change. I became open to new ideas, followed my gut, and took my branding business from $30,000 the first year to over six figures the next two years.
Now, I feel excited, and creative, and have more time to spend with my family and friends. My business isn’t taking over my life and running me into the ground. And it’s possible for you too.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to create a work-life balance from the very beginning so that you avoid burnout.
No. 1 – Set Priorities and Boundaries
Setting priorities helps you create boundaries that allow you to say no to requests that don’t align with your priorities. Having boundaries is vital to creating a work-life balance. But without priorities, you don’t know what boundaries to create.
No. 2 – Create Time Blocks
Staying busy doesn’t mean you’re productive. Completing tasks that move the needle in your business is productive. Having set time blocks or routines allows you to stay focused on tasks without stressing when other tasks will get done.
Another benefit of time blocks is feeling more accomplished each day.
No. 3 – Determine Your Goals
Understanding your goals for life and business will guide you on how much money you need to make each year, how many clients you can serve and so much more. Knowing what you are working towards will motivate you to keep going no matter what.
Determining your goals will also help guide you on what steps you need to take to get closer and closer to your goal!
No. 4 – Define Your Core Values
You may be asking, what do core values have anything to do with starting a business? The answer is EVERYTHING.
Your core values will be what your business stands for and eventually will attract like-minded people to you. Many other photographers will offer the same products or services, but your core values are what will set you apart and become relatable.
No. 5 – Schedule Vacation Time
Did this one make you pause and think wait, what?!? Maybe you haven’t started taking on clients yet and therefore, scheduling time off is probably the last thing on your mind.
But, not scheduling time off can be detrimental to your mental and physical health…which leads to burnout, resentment, and a desire to quit or believe you’re not worthy or cut out to be a business owner. And none of those are accurate if you are grinding so hard you forget to come up for air.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but slowing down and taking breaks is the faster way to grow your business. Breaks allow you to recharge, gain clarity and make any shifts necessary to continue working towards your goals.
In the end here’s what you need to know
Building a business with surface-level strategies will only get you so far…and chances are, it’s not very far at all. By doing the deeper work, you are creating a foundation for a business that helps you fulfill your purpose.
This is how you create a business you truly become passionate about and how you make an impact on the people you will serve.
Let’s break the mold of creating businesses just like everyone else out there. Instead, let’s create businesses that will change lives for the better.
Want to learn how you can create a business that allows you to fulfill your purpose? I’m showing you what I’ve learned over the past 3 years that took my photography business from $30,000 a year to six figures with more freedom and passion in the GYST program.
Click here to join the waitlist today.
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