I love a New Year! It is a perfect time to end some things
and begin others. It's a perfect time to turn a page, complete a chapter and
begin another.
Here is my focus for 2010.
I am dedicating 2010 to building jSimon Photography into a
business that I am extremely PROUD to have my name on. For me that starts with
taking fantastic pictures. It also includes great customer service, integrity,
dependability, consistency, honesty, creativity and financial viability. I have
no desire to be the largest. I want to be small on purpose. I also want to be
known by my peers and clients for being meticulous and delivering only the
highest quality products and service. jSimon must mean great photographic art
that you can't get in a mall or by a cousin with a digital camera. It must also
must mean my clients "get" me. I have missed being hands-on and
directly working with people to deliver excellent service. I am returning to my
roots and passion.
I will get around the best photographers in the country and
learn from them. I will help a few serious newbie photographers learn the
craft.
I will spend time every day doing something specific that
will move me toward better health. I will enter 2011 at 225lbs and in
significantly better shape.
I will read at least one chapter in a book or periodical
every day. I won't go to sleep until I learn and grow a little.
I will physically get down on my knees, beside my bed, and
pray out loud at the end of every day. I'm not recruiting or saying it's a
better way for you. It does help me focus and get specific about time with my
God.
I will spend time every day with my camera in my hand
shooting. I will set aside one picture from every single day and see what those
365 look like at the end of the year.
I will write down on paper something for which I am grateful
every day.
I will on-purpose love and treasure moments with Kandice,
Ross, Josh, Tiffani, Canton and Simone. I will do the same with my Mother,
Father and my sister Joy.
I will spend significantly less time worried about what
other people think of me. I will spend significantly more time asking if I am
happy with what I am bringing to the table and if it would make my Heavenly
Father smile. If those two things are true I am going to get good with it. This is
going take work for me. I have spent too many years trying to please too many
people. I'm changing that.
I am going to be more consistent on this blog. I may have to
make adjustments depending on the business but this is what I am diligently
working toward. I am going to try to roll out an article every Tuesday. These
articles will be my take on life, love, work, leadership, family, faith, the
pursuit of excellence, failures, authenticity, healthy living, and other rants
and ramblings from the odd mind that occupies my skull. I will also roll out a
photograph of the week on Friday. If you aren't on facebook get there! :) It is
where I daily post bits of the unfiltered goofiness that is my life and
thoughts. But if you start getting judgmental or critical I WILL de-friend your
butt! I'm not a Pastor... I can de-friend you and I can say "butt".
Get past it. :)
I stumbled across a book this past year that is going to
be a big part of 2010 for me. It is called Monday Morning Choices, by David
Cottrell. In it he talks about 12 choices that we can make to go from
"everyday to extraordinary". It's not a "go faster, do
more" book. I'm not at a point in my life where I want to go faster or
produce more. I want to slow down, savor moments and deliver excellence.
Here are the 12 choices he talks about and I am sure you
will hear me reference throughout the year.
1. The No-Victim Choice ... don't let your past eat your
future
2. The Commitment Choice...be passionate enough to succeed
3. The Values Choice.... chose the right enemies
4. The Integrity Choice... do the right thing
5. The Do Something Choice ... don't vacation on someday
isle
6. The Persistence Choice ... learn from failure
7. The Attitude Choice ... take the enthusiastic approach
8. The Adversity Choice ... conquer difficult times
9. The Relationship Choice ... connect with success
10. The Criticism Choice... embrace tough learning
11. The Reality Choice... face the truth
12. The Legacy Choice ... give your gift
That's my focus for 2010. I will succeed. I will fail.
I will fall and I will get up again. So goes life.
My quote for the year "Life is an occasion, rise to
it!"
My verse for 2010 ... “He has showed you, O man, what is
good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”- Micah 6:8
I will see ya on Friday with a photo and next Tuesday with
an article.
Blessings, Joy and Peace
Jess