Just Do it….

You can thank Nike for making this slogan a normal phrase in our language.  No matter what language you speak, Just Do It pretty much sums up what needs to happen if you want to accomplish your dreams.

Just a little over a  week ago I returned home from Imaging USA in San Antonio Texas.  ImagingUSA is one of the biggest conferences for professional photographers.  Photographers from all over the world fly in to attend Professional Photographers of America’s flagship conference.  We learn from the industries best, we get to look at new props, gear, and let our imaginations run wild.  

It truly is an invigorating and inspirational experience.

I am lucky enough to say that this was my 5th time attending ImagingUSA, and a year after I received the Master of Photography degree from PPA.  Each year I go, and each year I come back rejuvenated to create something better.  

This year was one of the best and attending this conference will be one of the reason why I make 2017 great.

PPA plans out the speakers and categorizes them into areas.  Business, Portrait, Wedding, etc.  You can then pick from about 5 different speakers running at that time to go and learn from.  This year I focused on the business side, as this is the area I want to focus on for 2017.  All of these speakers didn’t disappoint. 

Allison Tyler Jones, Julia Kelleher, Linda Long, Jared Platt are just a few of the speakers I got to learn from.  

But the best presentation at Imaging USA was from someone who isn’t even in the photography field.

Each year, PPA brings in a keynote speaker.  This year was Mel Robbins, Author and Woman who will light a fire under your behind.  Her program, hands down, was exactly what I needed this year.  As I was sitting in the large, packed auditorium, I could only get a sense of “I was meant to be here” feeling as she spoke.  Her new book, 5 Second Rule, comes out in February, and I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy and meet her.

If you want to turn 2017 into your most amazing year, then you need to follow Mel like a hawk.  Stalk her(not really her, but her website), read her book, and jump head first into her teachings.  I have always been someone who has read self-help books, business improvement books, and really anything that helps me become a better me.  This one will change all of that because it gives you an actionable plan…

YES!  

I won’t get into her book, but the main focus is that you have 5 SECONDS to change the course of your life.  Some may be skeptical, but really, she proves that this is a real thing. I suggest you get her book and see for yourself.

What I want to touch on was a section of her program about Nike’s Slogan, Just Do It. It really is an anthem for all of us.  It is not just saying..DO IT, in a commanding voice  It’s saying, Just Do it...As in.

I know it sucks to get up at 5am to work out, but Just Do It…

I know it’s hard to juggle kids, your job, and a dream of starting your own business...but Just Do it.

I know it may seem like you can’t make your finances work, but sit down, dig it up, and Just Do It.

The main point to take away from this, is that it(the universe) understands that things are hard.  We will struggle. We will falter.  

But if what you want more than anything in this world is burning a hole of passion in your soul, then let’s take all that crap head on..and JUST DO IT.

This is my year, I will Just Do it.  

I will do what needs to be done.

I will stay up late, or get up early if I have to.

I will make this work for me and achieve my dreams.

I WILL DO IT.  Are you with me?

I’m so inspired by Mel’s talk and this new action plan that I finally did something I never do.  Go through images I took on a trip and post them somewhere.  AND to top it off, I wrote a blog about it!!!

Hallelujah!

Here are some of my personal pics of friends and fun times and then some photos I took around San Antonio.  It was my first time there, so I had to be a tourist a little bit;)  

I’d love to hear from you and what your dreams this year are. Lets jump into this together!!