As a business owner, I’ve realized that it’s extremely important to take time away from my business to focus on my business!  I think I spend far too much time IN my business – meaning – taking photos, editing, writing blog posts, corresponding with clients, etc.  I need time to focus ON my business.  And, well, I need time to dream.  Because you know what – it’s going to make me a better photographer!

So, I decided that the second Tuesday of every month will be my Think, Brainstorm & Dream Day!  I’m super excited about this new addition to my schedule!

About two weeks before the day approached, I started keeping a list of things I wanted to think about.  These may be things that have been needing my attention, things that need some serious focus, some brain exercises, and some dreaming.  I started keeping a list but then decided to take it a step further.  I made an agenda and then each topic (1-12) was given it’s own piece of paper so that I had enough room to write my notes.  (My organization skills kicked into overdrive!)  I would spend at least 15 minutes on each topic and if I found my mind starting to drift away from that topic, I’d practice some quick meditation to get my focus back.

No camera, no computer, no editing, no email, no Facebook – it was disconnection time.

Here’s a summary of my day and what it means to you my loyal followers:

My day started with a session with my mentor, Heather, from WeddingsByHeather.com – I wanted to get my mind set right from the beginning so I thought Heather would be a good place to start.  But, I told her that I wanted to walk outside to think and talk thru some things.  Changing your environment is crucial to getting your brain to see things in a new way (see I’m learning things from all the books I’m reading this year).  So we walked around her property and began discussions on some of the things on my list.  It was great!  Of course, it was terribly hot the day I chose as my Think Day but we braved the weather – nothing was holding me back!

My original plan was to hike into the woods and spend the rest of the day going thru everything I had scheduled in nature.  I wanted to be somewhere where nothing could distract me – I really wanted to focus.  There are too many distractions in the studio for me to sit there and do what I wanted to do with this day.  Since it was so hot, I opted for the library.  Not the best but it will do, or so I thought.  There were some loud people at the library that day so after an hour and half, I went to sit outside overlooking the river.  It was very peaceful!

I got thru all my topics, summarized what I’d wrote, developed action items for those topics, read from my most recent book, prayed and ended my day on a real high note.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1) This was the best day and I’m looking forward to next month’s Think Day.

2) This energized me and gave me more focus.  Stepping away form everything allows you to concentrate on just those things that need your attention without all the distractions.

3) I got a lot of focus around some things that I have been neglecting for a few months now.  It made me realize that some of the things I was putting off are very important.

4) I kick butt.  Funny but true.

Here are some of the things I’ve decided:

(Not going to share all my topics with you because you’ll see those come about in the next few months as I put some of the action items into motion)

1) I want to photograph something for fun once a month.  Photography started as a passion and hobby and it’s now a business.  Two very different things.  I still want to be able to connect with this hobby I love so I’m going to be doing something for fun every month.  Whether this is a styled shoot or learning some new techniques or doing some urban photography – something.

This is where my fans come in – I may be putting out requests to find willing participants to help me bring my ideas to fruition.  Please be following our Facebook page to see those requests for participants! 🙂

2) I’m going to be blogging more about weddings.  For 2015, I have been blogging boudoir photo shoot planning tips and tricks and I’ve loved it!  I love sharing my knowledge with people, so I’m going to start something similar for weddings!

3)  Dreaming is good for the imagination.  I like to dream about what my perfect life looks like and those dreams will become a reality.

4) I’m going to focus more on me.  Wow.  Did I just say that?!?  But, what I mean is that I’m just going to focus on Maura and Pics By Chicks Photography.  I’m not going to concern myself with what other photographers are doing.  This is something I started doing about a year ago but I’m going to take it to a new level!  The only photographer I should compare myself to is Maura from 3 years ago – yikes! 🙂  My only job is to become the best photographer I can be.  I truly feel that God has given me this talent and my relational abilities with women to be an amazing photographer, and that’s how I am to serve the world!

That’s just a quick summary of my day.  Can’t wait for October.  I will make two changes for October – 1) I will get in the woods, as was my original intention with September’s day; 2) I will not bring my phone.  Our phones have become such a distraction to our world and on this day, I want to give my full attention to my topics!

Super excited about this planning day!!!  🙂

Pittsburgh Photographer, Maura Chick of Pics By Chicks Photography.